Places to Visit Royal Forest of Dean & Surrounds

Tourist Information and Travel Guide for the Royal Forest of Dean including the Wye Valley, Severn Vale and the Vale of Leadon including the counties of Herefordshire and Monmouthshire

Please select a location from the right hand menu in order to gain an insight into the Royal Forest of Dean, Wye Valley, Severn Vale, Vale of Leadon and counties of Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. If you prefer you can also select directly to get tour and travel information on individual towns and villages.

The Royal Forest of Dean

Designated as a national forest park in 1938, the unique heritage and culture of the Forest reflects a close working relationship between people and the environment.

The Forest of Dean is one of E ngland's few remaining ancient forests, covering over 110 square kilometres of woodland and lies between the rivers Wye and Severn, in the western part of Gloucestershire, and on the borders of Wales and Herefordshire.

The Forest is one of the most distinctive areas in the UK having a seductive charm and character that is uniquely its own. The stunning landscapes and spectacular scenery have inspired artists, craftspeople, inventors, poets and playwrights, as well as the many visitors who return year after year.

The Wye Valley

Officially designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and combines a unique blend of Welsh and English influences. A place of breathtaking natural scenery and the birthplace of British tourism, the Wye Tour has enthralled discerning visitors since the 18th Century.

The Wye Valley, an area that covers part of the border between Wales and England, was established as an A.O.N.B. in 1971. It is and area rich in history, wildlife and natural beauty and the A.O.N.B. was set up in order "to conserve and enhance the outstanding and beautiful characteristics of the area".

The Vale of Leadon

The Vale is a complete contrast to the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, consisting of typically English landscaped countryside, a mixture of black and white timbered buildings, market gardens and vineyards.

Leadon Vale is located to the north of the Royal Forest of Dean - here you will find the market town of Newent and the village of Dymock. The Vale of Leadon is quintessentially an unspoiled English area centred around the picturesque town of Newent.

The Severn Vale

Through which flows the River Severn, the country's longest river famous for its tidal bore. The Severn Vale is famous for its Blaisdon Plums and Perry Pears. The old Severnside port of Lydney is the area’s main town, and is a thriving business and shopping area.

The River Severn ( Welsh:Afon Hafren ) is the longest British river, at 354 kilometres (219 miles) long; it rises at an altitude of 610 metres on Plynlimon near Llanidloes, in the Cambrian Mountains, Mid Wales, and it passes through a number of English counties, with the county towns of Shrewsbury, Worcester, and Gloucester located on its banks. The Severn becomes the Bristol Channel at its estuary, eventually discharging into the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. With an average discharge of 107 m³/s at Hawbridge (Worcestershire), the Severn is England´s largest river in terms of water flow. The Severn's drainage basin area is 11,420 km2. It is one of the ten major rivers in the United Kingdom.

Herefordshire

A popular destination for visitors and tourists in search of the 'real' England, the English County offering beautiful unspoilt countryside, distinctive heritage and tremendous hospitality.

Herefordshire's stunning natural scenery and its unhurried pace have inspired artists, crafts people and musicians to settle and create in this county.

The English county of Herefordshire is in the West Midlands region of England. It borders the counties of Shropshire in the north, Worcestershire in the east, Gloucestershire in the south east and the Welsh counties of Gwent in the south west and Powys in the west.

Monmouthshire

This county is one of thirteen historic counties of Wales, covering south-east Wales. It was formed from the Welsh Marches by the Laws in Wales Act 1535. The county borders Gloucestershire to the east, Herefordshire to the northeast, Brecknockshire to the north, and Glamorgan to the west.

Monmouthshire encompasses the dramatic Black Mountains in the north, to the market towns of Abergavenny and Monmouth, through to the rural valleys around Newport and Chepstow on the banks of the River Severn, the Wye Valley & Vale of Usk are true areas of outstanding natural beauty. With awesome castles, bustling market towns, fresh-farm produce, an artisan tradition, generous hospitality, and sunshine and showers. Monmouthshire and the Wye Valley is a captivating experience that treats the senses at any time of year.

Places to visit in The Royal Forest of Dean, Wye Valley, Severn Vale and the Vale of Leadon