merlinlocations | What else to do in the Forest of Dean... (Reply)

At the risk of making a really really long post here, I thought I'd mention some of the other attractions to be found in the Forest of Dean, the Wye Valley and the surrounding area. Some of these places may end up being used as filming locations, of course! But, quite apart from the attractions of Merlin and the pretty boys, there is plenty to see and do in this beautiful part of Britain. Well worth a visit, whether that's a day trip or a full holiday!

The Royal Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley include areas of Gloucestershire and Herefordhire in England and Monmouthshire in Wales. The River Wye is the border between the two countries.

Some of the properties I mention are managed by English Heritage (in England), Cadw (in Wales) and The National Trust - worthy organisations all! Also, there are Tourist Information Centres in Coleford (High Street), Gloucester (28 Southgate Street) and Newent (7 Church Street). I have gleaned this information from all kinds of pamphlets and websites, and of course from my own personal Merlin Locations Tours!

Merlin locations

The following attractions in this area have been used as Merlin filming locations, and are covered in other posts to this community: The Amazing Hedge Puzzle; Clearwell Caves; Goodrich Castle; Puzzlewood; Raglan Castle; and Speech House Lake. Obviously these must be the priority for any tour! But then there's the bluebells…

bluebell woods

My first visits to the Forest of Dean revolved around bluebells… I adore bluebells! The Forest is known for them, especially along the road known as The Golden Mile - named for the sake of the beautiful colours there in autumn. Obviously in spring, however, it should be renamed The Pretty Lilac-Blue Mile, and that doesn't even mention the pretty pale green canopy of freshly unfurling leaves. The bluebells are usually at their best around early or mid May, but this can change quite significantly depending on the season and the weather.

Whenever I see swathes of blue flowers on Merlin - as Merlin picks mushrooms in Lancelot, for example, or Arthur goes boar hunting in The Curse of Cornelius Sigan - I think swooningly of the Forest of Dean. But I also wince a bit, as bluebells are very delicate things, and very precious, and They Must Not Be Trampled! Let's assume our pretty boys do the right thing and don't actually tread on the pretty flowers.

Obviously the woods throughout this area are particularly beautiful, in any season. There are heaps of walking and cycling trails to be followed. And (while we're wandering the woods) if you're British and feeling patriotic, then you may like to know that many of the ships to oppose the Spanish Aramada were built from the Forest of Dean's oak trees. If you're into maritime matters, you may like to visit the restored Lydney Harbour on the River Severn.

rivers

And of course the area is also known for the beautiful River Wye, which winds itself down through a gorgeous valley. (The River Severn is a far more serious and dramatic affair.) You can canoe and kayak on the River Wye - or if you want someone else to do the work for you, patronise Kingfisher Cruises.

Westbury Court Garden

Westbury Court Garden is a National Trust property, at Westbury-on-Severn. I haven't visited yet, but I certainly plan to! It features a formal Dutch Water Garden that was laid out over a period of ten years from 1696.

Lydney Park Spring Gardens

Lydney Park is a privately owned estate, with woodland gardens that are only open during spring - featuring daffodils, rhododendrons, azaleas and so on. There is also a Roman temple site to explore. Interestingly, though, it's the only place other than Puzzlewood which has an area of scowles, the exposed caves and iron ore mines that make Puzzlewood so beautifully unusual. I haven't visited, but I certainly hope to do so next spring! The Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien was part of the excavation team in the 1920s that worked on the Roman ruins here. It is said that these sites at Lydney Park and Puzzlewood influenced his conceptions of Middle-earth.

The estate is also home to Taurus Crafts, featuring a pottery and other working craft studios, a gift shop, wholefood cafe and delicatessen.

Dean Forest Railway

The Dean Forest Railway is a scenic steam-train route connecting Lydney Junction, Norchard and Parkend. It operates throughout the year, but only on certain days, so it's always worth planning ahead. A full round trip takes about an hour and a quarter.

The Speech House Hotel

The Speech House Hotel was built in 1676 as a hunting lodge for Charles II. It is near the stone monument marking the geographic centre of the Forest, which I suppose makes it convenient! But more importantly, it is near Speech House Lake, Merlin fans - which is of course also known as Avalon. I haven't stayed at the hotel, but I have eaten there a couple of times, and was very happy with the food - especially the walnut and avocado salad. (Be careful of asking for advice on how to get to Avalon, though, as the staff have been known to misdirect fans to Cannop Ponds. Which are nice, but not Avalon.)

Symonds Yat Rock

A lookout with beautiful views of the River Wye. From here you can also see the cliffs where peregrine falcons make their home.

Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo

While visiting the Amazing Hedge Puzzle in Symonds Yat West, you may also like to marvel at the pretty butterflies! (No doubt you will also be passing through the town of Monmouth, so give a shout out to our very own Geoffrey of Monmouth, Camelot's archivist and librarian.)

Tintern Abbey

No visit to this area could be complete without a visit to the beautiful ruins of Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley, formerly home to Cistercian monks and latterly inspiration to poets.

Caldicott Castle

Caldicott Castle dates back to Norman times, features medieval castle walls, and was restored as a Victorian family home. It is set in over fifty acres of gardens and wooded parklands.

towns and cities

Newent is an unspoilt market town, known for its Old Market Hall (1668) and The Shambles Museum, a large collection of everyday Victoriana. Also, wild daffodils grow in the surrounding woods and meadows.

Coleford is a large town convenient to Puzzlewood and other attractions.

Gloucester is a large city with all the necessaries, as well as a Norman cathedral and Victorian docklands.

Cardiff is home to BBC Wales! Hurrah! It's a fascinating city to visit, and not only for its connections with Merlin, Dr Who and of course Torchwood. The barrage and the bay area are fascinating. Cardiff Castle includes a Norman keep and a Victorian era castle, and there's also Castell Coch just out of town. And, understandably, it's a good central location from which to visit so many of the places featured in this community.

other attractions

And I haven't yet mentioned all the locally grown or produced food and drink. And the delightful old pubs! Let alone other tourist attractions such as Hopewell Colliery, the Perrygrove Railway, the Nagshead Nature Reserve, Soudley Ponds, and so on.

If I have missed anything particularly good, please feel free to tell us about it in the comments! All advice, information and recommendations will be gratefully received.

links and details

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