The Royal Forest Route

This circuit through the heart of the Forest of Dean is a 20 mile route taking in some of the highlights of the area. It has been divided into two halves. The first section, from the Dean Heritage Centre to Clearwell Caves, is the best starting point for visitors arriving from Gloucester and the East. For those joining the Royal Forest Route from the West (Chepstow and Severn Bridge) we recommend that you join at Clearwell Caves.

An excellent way to see the area there is plenty of time to stop, visit the attractions and enjoy the beauty spots. Plan your own diversions as well – to visit the Dean Forest Railway, Symonds Yat, or nearby Newent for example... there are many other options.

Royal Forest Route Start Point East

The Forest of Dean as a whole conceals a history best unearthed at the 'Start Point East' of the circular tour, at the Dean Heritage Centre in Lower Soudley. An essential introduction to the Forest of Dean, the centre tells the story of the Forest's culture and environment - and also introduces visitors to one of the oldest brands in Britain: the Dean navy hammer, used to mark selected trees for felling in the production of England's Tudor warships.

From there, the circuit passes by Speech House Hotel which boasts the oldest court in the British Isles; the renowned Sculpture Trail, with its stained glass window; a mine dating back to the 1820s, where visitors are given the chance to step both back in time, and underground; and the remarkable 'Puzzlewood.'

Based around a pre-Roman open-cast ore mine, the environment within this natural attraction has, over the centuries, taken on the appearance of a Tolkien-esque landscape. Located in Dean farmland, it offers today's visitors the chance to make their way around an enclosed natural maze of paths, bridges, tunnels and clefts - all of which reveal more and more of this fantasy-world at every twist and turn. It has been used as a location for many films and television programmes.

Royal Forest Route Start Point West

'Start Point West', meanwhile, is located at the Clearwell Caves. Mined for 3,000 years, the Caves feature eight large caverns now open to the public. From there, the route offers nature reserves, lakeland areas, and amazing views, before passing through a virtual lagoon of bluebells on the approach to Upper Soudley along the Roman Road. The Roman Road between Wenchford Picnic Site and the road to the Dean Heritage Centre is also known as the Golden Mile because of its spectacular autumn colours.

Full details of all attractions along the way are contained in the leaflet, which also features an easy-to-follow map of The Royal Forest Route. Places of interest just off the route are also listed, including Symonds Yat, the Wye Valley, Newent and Lydney.

Download the following documents:

• The full PDF leaflet
• A PDF map of the route
• Driving directions for the route

Note. These maps and directions were created some time ago and some features and locations may have changed. In particular the Giant's Chair at Beechenhurst was removed in 2016.