You are here: Explore > Towns & Villages > Forest of Dean

Forest of Dean Towns and Villages

The Forest of Dean has a rich heritage and culture and its towns are characterful and vibrant bases for exploring:

Coleford is a picturesque and charming market town with a long and rich history. Its centre is compact and walkable with all the amenities and family-friendly attractions to make the town worth a visit in its own right. There are lots of eating out options and independent shops, a deli, several cafes and restaurants, a cinema, countryside walks and a historic clock tower in the centre. It is also home to the Tourist Information Centre, where you can find out more about Coleford and the wider area.

Newent is a thriving market town with bustling independent retailers and a Market Square that includes several historical buildings including the Market House, a structure that dates back to the 13th century. 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, and makes for a great base to explore the Dean Wye.

The historic town of Lydney is situated on the River Severn and houses some of the area’s must see points of interest including a lovely park and historic monuments as well as a harbour with riverside walks, so you could easily spend a day here before venturing outside the area. Thirty pubs, cafes and restaurants cater for locals and visitors and the town has a variety of local shops that offer everything you need for your stay. Finally, it’s also the perfect base for those who prefer to leave the car at home, as the town is connected to the national rail network via Lydney Station, with trains to Newport and Gloucester as well as the Dean Forest Railway for steam train rides deep into the Forest.

An historic market town, Cinderford 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. With cafes, shops, a cinema and surrounded by picturesque forest, a 3 mile walking trail takes in many of the town's highlights. On the western edge Linear Park offers forest walks, the attractive Steam Mills Pond and direct access to many walking paths and cycle trails in the Forest of Dean.

Plan your visit

Stay
What's On
Things to Do
Food & Drink

Number of results: 29

, currently showing 1 to 20.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Mitcheldean

Address

Gloucestershire, GL17 0HN

Large and thriving community on the northern fringe of the Forest of Dean with old timbered houses and a fine church. A nature reserve with pond is on the outskirts of the village and an ancient well with supposed magical qualities.
Hartpury

Address

Gloucestershire, GL19 3BE

Historic village in the north of the Forest of Dean. It is home to Hartpury University and College, Historic Bee Shelter, Tithe Barn and St Mary's Church.
Alvington

Address

Gloucestershire, GL15 6BA

Village between Lydney and Chepstow
Newland

Address

Gloucestershire, GL16 8NL

Small historic village with a different "feel" to most Forest villages. Visit the magnificent Cathedral of the Forest and take walks down towards the River Wye.
Huntley

Address

Gloucestershire, GL19 3DU

Small, thriving village on the edge of the Forest of Dean situated on the A40 road from Gloucester to Ross-on-Wye.
Ruardean

Address

Gloucestershire, GL17 9US

Ruardean is a hillside village in the Forest of Dean with commanding views over the Wye Valley. Ruardean Hill is the highest point in the Forest and has a miners' memorial called Pan Tod Beacon.
Awre

Address

Awrw, Gloucestershire, GL14 1EW

Listed in the Domesday Book, Awre has had its character moulded over the years by winds and tides of the River Severn
Newnham

Address

Gloucestershire, GL14 1BH

A small village on the banks of the River Severn with riverside walks, lovely views and is one of the best spots to view the Severn Bore. A pub, cafe, well stocked shop and good facilities makes this an ideal base for exploring the area.
Soudley

Address

Gloucestershire, GL14 2TS

A small but thriving village with a series of ponds which are a haven to wildlife.
Bream

Address

Gloucestershire, GL15 6JF

Surrounded by beautiful forest, this is a former mining village with great views, walks and cycle routes all around. Central shops, a pub, cafe, church and post office. The war memorial offers spectacular forest views.
Parkend

Address

Gloucestershire, GL15 4JA

In the heart of the Forest of Dean, surrounded by trees and with many things to do, places to stay and places to eat, Parkend is an ideal base for exploring the Forest on foot or cycle. The Dean Forest Railway stops here, bikes can be hired, there are two pubs, a cafe and a shop as well as RSPB Nagshead ideal for wildlife and birdwatching.
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.
Littledean

Address

Gloucestershire, GL14 3NJ

One of the ancient villages of the Forest of Dean, it contains many old buildings dating back to the 1600s. Littledean Hall is reputed to be one of the most haunted houses in Britain.
St Briavels

Address

Gloucestershire, GL15 6TA

Historic Forest of Dean village with a former royal castle, now a youth hostel. Set high above the Wye Valley there are good views into the Forest, the River Wye below and to Wales in the distance.
Brockweir

Address

Gloucestershire, NP16 7NG

Brockweir is a small but attractive village located alongside the River Wye in Gloucestershire. There is a thriving community shop serving a wide range of local produce with a well stocked cafe. Riverside walks and beautiful views all around.
Redbrook

Address

Gloucestershire, NP25 4LR

Pretty village on the River Wye, partly in Wales and partly in England with a rich industrial heritage.
Longhope

Address

Gloucestershire, GL17 0LL

Longhope is a small village to the north of the Forest of Dean with a popular craft centre, cookery school, cafe, woodland walks and is close to May Hill offering stunning views. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, it has a rich history and is a typical English village.
English Bicknor

Address

Gloucestershire, GL16 7PG

One of the ancient villages of the Forest of Dean, situated at the top of a hill overlooking the Wye Valley. It has an interesting church and the remains of a motte and bailey castle.
Staunton, Near Coleford

Address

Gloucestershire, GL16 8NU

Small village between Coleford and Monmouth close to the Welsh border. There is good walking around the village and from the Buckstone their are great views into Wales.
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…