THE HISTORY OF THE FOREST OF DEAN

Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean an Ancient historic forest with its origins as a Royal forest pre-dating the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Forest lies in West Gloucestershire, sitting as it does between the Rivers Severn and Wye, on the border of England and Wales.

The Forest is scattered with a rich legacy of built heritage, ranging from scheduled monument remains of iron works and furnaces through to hundreds of mine entry points and miles of disused tramways and railways.

The area is characterised by more than 110 square kilometres (42 square miles) of mixed woodland, one of the only surviving ancient woodlands in England.

There are a number of historical legends, ancient myths and terrifying ghost stories that surround the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. From the historic folk tale of who killed the Ruardean Bear to the iconic legend of the Devil’s Pulpit overlooking Tintern Abbey, the bleeding stone at Staunton and the trial of the last person charged with witchcraft in Gloucestershire... there are so many interesting myths and legends of the Dean.