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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.

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Number of results: 29

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Tidenham

Address

Gloucestershire, NP16 7JQ

Tidenham is a small village in Gloucestershire bordered by the River Wye on the west and the River Severn on the south. Offa's Dyke Path runs through the village with great views along the Wye and there is a lovely nature reserve and walks to the Devil's Pulpit.
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.
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.
Westbury-on-Severn

Address

Gloucestershire, GL14 1PD

Small village close to the River Severn with National Trust formal garden and an interesting church.
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.
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.
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.
Minsterworth

Address

Gloucestershire, GL2 8JJ

A small village on the west bank of the River Severn in the Forest of Dean and one of the best places to see the Severn Bore.
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.
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.
Alvington

Address

Gloucestershire, GL15 6BA

Village between Lydney and Chepstow
Clearwell

Address

Gloucestershire, GL16 8JT

Small village close to Coleford with a historic past based on its castle and mining. Clearwell caves, a former iron mine is open to the public.
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.
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.
Soudley

Address

Gloucestershire, GL14 2TS

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