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Towns & Villages

Surrounded by stunning countryside, the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley's historic towns and villages are home to a variety of independent shops, characterful cafes, cosy pubs, and historic monuments and buildings; we highly recommend that you take the time to explore them!

Nestled in the Black Mountains, Abergavenny offers a great base for enjoying the great outdoors. The town is also established as a foodie heaven, with a range of gastro pubs, inns, and restaurants, and regular food and craft markets.

Home to the oldest surviving post-Roman fortification in Britain, Chepstow is the gateway to the Wye Valley. With winding back streets full of shops, restaurants, and cafes, the town is the perfect place to spend a day exploring.

With a history based in mining, Cinderford's name comes from the iron ore which was mined and smelted in the area from Norman times. The town is home to one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas that is still operating in the UK today, as well as a range of pubs, restaurants, cafes, retail outlets, and accommodation options.

Providing the perfect base from which to explore the Forest of Dean by foot, Coleford is a charming market town with a rich history. Compact and walkable, the town boasts all the amenities, as well as a range of colourful independent retailers and family-friendly attractions.

Located on the River Severn, Lydney is a historic town that houses some of the area's must-see points of interest. The harbour is one of the town's top tourist destinations, and offers the opportunity for a picturesque riverside walk, as well as to witness the power and force of the River Severn.

Largely a Georgian town, Monmouth has been a centre for tourism since 1780. The town is well-known for its 13th century 13th Monnow Bridge, which is the only gated bridge of its type in Britain, as well as for being the UK's first Bee Town.

One of the most picturesque towns in the area, Newent is one of the oldest inhabited towns in the Forest of Dean, and is home to more than 100 listed buildings, making it the perfect town for history-lovers to explore. For nature lovers, the town is also home to the landscaped Newent Lake Park, as well as the nine-acre Newent Millenium Arboretum.

Overlooking the River Wye, Ross-on-Wye is a friendly market town located between Hereford and Gloucester, and is home to the historic Market House, a listed Ancient Monument built from Old Red Sandstone. Known as the 'Birthplace of British Tourism', the town has been attracting visitors since the 18th century, and is well-known for its many shops, galleries, restaurants, cafes, and hotels.

If you would like to explore the region's best market towns, make sure to check out our Market Towns Trail!

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Cinderford - from Mining to Tourism

Address

Gloucestershire, GL14 2SE

With in excess of 20 pubs, restaurants and cafes/takeaways, a variety of retail outlets and a range of places to stay, you can easily base yourself in Cinderford while venturing out into the Forest of Dean and wider Wye Valley area. An historic market town, it got its name from the iron ore which was mined and smelted in the area from Norman times. Cinderford continued to rely on mining, especially coal, right up until the 1960s, and its heritage is marked by a statue of a Forest of Dean Freeminer in the town centre. Today the focus…
Coleford - Pride of the Forest

Address

Gloucestershire, GL16 8BD

Telephone
01594 832103

As a picturesque and charming market town with a long and rich history, Coleford is compact and walkable with all the amenities and family-friendly attractions to make the town worth a visit in its own right. Start your visit in the market square, where the centre-piece is the historic clock tower, the remaining part of a church that was demolished in the 19th century. Be sure to look at the memorial plaque commemorating the Battle of Coleford, which took place in 1643 during the English Civil War. Then wander the surrounding streets…
Newent - a Picturesque Forest Town

Address

Gloucestershire, GL18 1BD

Telephone
01531 820638

townclerk@newenttowncouncil.gov.uk

One of the oldest inhabited towns in the Forest of Dean, Newent has been settled since at least Roman times and appeared in the 1086 Domesday Book of William the Conqueror.  
As well as having a long and rich history, Newent is one of the most picturesque towns in the region with over 100 listed buildings, making it a great base to explore the Forest of Dean.
Ross-on-Wye

Address

Herefordshire, HR9 5NX

rowt@icloud.com

Ross-on-Wye is a characterful market town in the south of Herefordshire offering excellent places to stay, eat and shop. Set in beautiful countryside right alongside the River Wye it’s a great place for fresh air, walking and canoeing with a bustling town centre full of arts and crafts, food and drink, a thriving antiques industry and many historic buildings. Ross-on-Wye is also the birthplace of modern tourism with a fascinating history.
Tintern

Address

Tintern, Monmouthshire, NP16 6SE

The jewel of the Wye Valley - a picturesque village, ruined Abbey, pubs, shops, cafes, places to stay, stunning walks and viewpoints all around.
Abergavenny - Y Fenni

Address

Monmouthshire, NP7 5EH

Abergavenny is a foodie heaven, a historic town and is surrounded by the Black Mountains. It has much to offer visitors - a blend of old and new, with activities and things to do to suit young and old alike.
Ledbury

Address

Herefordshire, HR8 1DS

A vibrant market town in South East Herefordshire.
Monmouth - Trefynwy

Address

Monmouthshire, NP25 3DY

Historic market town on the Welsh borders with lots of independent shops and great places to eat and drink.
Hereford

Address

Herefordshire, HR1 2AA

An old walled city, dating from Saxon times, Hereford is the area's administrative, commercial, cultural and agricultural centre.
Symonds Yat East and West

Address

Herefordshire, HR9 6JL

One of the most iconic locations in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley with a stunning viewpoint, two riverside villages, beautiful riverside and hilltop walks, pubs, places to stay and loads to see and do including canoeing, kayaking, cycling, walking, boat tours and birds of prey to spot.
Chepstow - Cas-gwent

Address

Monmouthshire, NP16 5EP

A bustling border market town, Chepstow is the gateway to the Wye Valley and Wales. Its stunning castle is the oldest in Britain and the Wye Valley Walk and Offa's Dyke Path begin here.