When you think of the Forest of Dean, squealing tusks immediately spring to mind.  But it’s not all wild boars.  The forest covers forty-two square miles of unspoilt ancient woodland where you can walk, bike, fish, picnic or meander through inspiring sculptures. It’s within reach of the capital but far enough from the madding crowds to let you re-calibrate after even the toughest weeks at work. 

Where is the Forest of Dean located?

The Forest of Dean is located in Gloucestershire, a fifteen-minute drive from the City of Gloucester and within an hour’s drive of the Welsh border.  It’s also within easy reach of the River Wye.  Trains from London depart from Paddington and take around two and a half hours to Gloucester.

What is the Forest of Dean famous for?

From 1066 to 1971, it was a Royal Forest and used as a hunting ground and principal food source for the Royal Court.  During Norman times, the forest was stocked with copious supplies of deer and wild boar to keep the banquets rocking.  The Forest is also a major source of iron ore while its timber has been used for the ship-building industry.

What films were set in the Forest of Dean? 

In common with Blenheim Palace, the Forest has also welcomed Harry Potter and featured prominently in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  And you may have seen it popping up in some scenes from Hogwart’s Castle.  JK Rowling was in fact brought up in the Forest of Dean so its association is perhaps no surprise.  The Forest is also home to Puzzlewood – another piece of ancient woodland which is a magnet for film crews.  Merlin, Dr Who, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Secret Garden were all shot on location here. 

Puzzlewood for the public

Puzzlewood is open to the public, (adult tickets £9.50 and children £8.00).  Your ticket allows access to the site which also offers a takeaway café and a menagerie of Highland cattle, donkeys, ducks and chickens. The woodland trail itself takes a couple of hours to walk round and contains more than 200 uneven steps.  For this reason, it’s closed to the public during bad weather.  Puzzlewood also closes to the public during filming.  Sadly we couldn’t visit due to this reason.

Where to stay in the Forest of Dean?

If you’re travelling by public transport or don’t fancy driving during your stay, the Speech House Hotel is a good option. It’s located directly opposite the Forest and within a five-minute walk of the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail. 

Although a bit old fashioned with hues of faded glory, it has some fascinating history as Charles II’s original hunting lodge.  It later hosted the “Court of the Speech” – a parliament for the Verderers and Free Miners who managed the forest in the 17th Century.  The courtroom was located in the Verderer’s restaurant where meals are still served today.  But perhaps the hotel’s most intriguing claim to fame is its Speech House pudding.  A type of jam roly-poly – the steamed pudding was slathered in raspberry jam and a jam sauce.  Sadly we didn’t spot it on the menu during our stay.

Things to do in the Forest of Dean

With so much on offer, boredom won’t be an issue here.  The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is one of the most popular in the UK and boasts two cross-country trails and no less than fourteen hair-raising downhill slaloms.  There’s also the more sedate circular Collier’s Trail for beginners and families.   If fishing’s more your thing, you can head to Cannop Ponds where you’ll find two different lakes (Cannop Pond 1 and Cannop Pond 2).  Both offer an abundance of fish including: Carp, Eels, Pike, Perch and Roach.  Day permits can be brought on site and there is also disabled access at both ponds.

Walks in the Forest of Dean

if you love walking, you’re in for a treat.  Boasting well-laid paths, excellent signage and varied terrain, you’ll get to experience the deep solitude of ancient forests.  With the exception of the odd bike flying past, we hiked for miles without encountering another soul.  For those new to hiking, there are 12 Easy Walks to dip your toes into. Or you can start with the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, (4.5 miles).  Inspiring awe and wonder since 1986, the trail boasts eighteen sculptures. These include the interactive, Gathering, below, which was created in collaboration with Heart of the Forest School.

Cathedral Sculpture

But the stand-out sculpture is undoubtedly the mesmerising Cathedral by Kevin Atherton. A huge stained-glass window spanning fifteen feet high by ten feet wide showcasing intricate forest-inspired imagery.   The window acts as a visual trigger to connect two separate spaces which are both constantly changing through the filter of natural light.  The immense size of the sculpture superimposed upon the forest canopy is a fascinating sight to behold.  We found ourselves making several trips back to get that one last perfect shot. Not easy with the constant light reflections on the glass!

Nature in the Forest of Dean

The forest is of course renown for its wild boar who were hunted here for the King’s table during medieval times.  100 wild boars and sows were reportedly ordered for a blow-out Christmas feast in 1254. Following a trend in wild boar farming in the 1970’s, they are now around 650 feral boar snuffling through the woods.  Despite countless tales of close encounters from locals, all we managed was a shuffling shadow in the undergrowth at dusk.  Boars sadly are notoriously secretive animals and choose to feed under the cover of darkness.  You will however see their mark everywhere in the churned-up soil where they endlessly excavate plant roots and tubers.

Although thwarted by the boar, our paths did cross two slow worms.  No they’re not snakes but legless lizards and the only ones in existence in the UK.  We were lucky to see them out in the open as they normally hide in grass compost or under logs.  Although not quite a boar, a legless lizard is still not to be sniffed at.

If you’re a forest lover looking for a weekend escape away from the crowds, the Forest of Dean is the ideal location.  Whether you’re fishing, biking, hiking or wild boar hunting, it’s an adventure into some of England’s most ancient woodland and one that will stay with you for many years to come.