Sights in Forest Of Dean
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Puzzle Wood
If you’re travelling with children, this enchanted forest is a must. A pre-Roman, open-cast ore mine, overgrown with eerie lichen-covered trees, it has a maze of paths, weird rock formations, tangled vines and dark passageways, and potential for adventure is immense. If it seems familiar, that’s because a recent Dr Who episode and the BBC1 Merlin series were shot here. Puzzle Wood is 1 mile south of Coleford on the B4228.
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Dean Heritage Centre
For an insight into the history of the forest (and its people) since the Ice Age, this entertaining museum looks at everything from the forest’s geology to Roman occupation, medieval hunting laws, free mining, cottage crafts and coal mining. There are plenty for kids, too, from ‘what’s that smell?’ boxes and other tactile exhibits, to a mini-zoo with pigs, rabbits and weasels, an adventure playground and the current pride and joy – the Gruffalo Trail, featuring life-size wooden carvings from the Julia Donaldson classic.
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Clearwell Caves
To explore one of the oldest professions of the residents of the Forest of Dean, descend into a damp subterranean world, mined for iron ore for more than 4000 years, and comprising a warren of dimly lit passageways, caverns and pools – home to several species of bat. Scattered throughout are descriptions of child labour in the mines in the 19th century, with billy-boys as young as seven working 10-hour days. Ye olde miner gear is on display – a nelly (tallow candle) and billy (backpack) for transporting ore. Deep-level caving can be arranged for small groups. The caves are signposted off the B4228 a mile south of Coleford.
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All Saints
In Newland, you can visit the 'Cathedral of the Forest', the 13th-century All Saints church, which was restored and partially rebuilt in the 19th century and houses some fine stained-glass windows, as well as a unique brass depicting a miner with a nelly (tallow candle) in his mouth, a pick in his hand and a billy (backpack) on his back.
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