Left: Symonds Yat
We planned a trip to this area because it's somewhere we had never been, we had various comments of what forest folk were like, words like 'strange', 'sallow', and 'unapproachable' came up and this made it even more of a 'must see'.
What we actually found was quite different, I think the myths stem from the folklore and tales of mystery that surround the place.
Whilst having a distinct 'air' about most of the folk that had been born and bred there, we found them to be very down to earth, friendly and helpful, it's just that they don't make a fuss and go overboard to get you to like them.
One afternoon we spent at a carnival in the village of Parkend, we were told that it was going to be a very big event attended by most people in the surrounding area, they were right, I have never seen so many floats at a carnival for years.
The event after gave us an insight into the lives and culture of the people and found that they had life long traditions. One thing that did amuse us was some of the 'entertainment' which included a local chap who whistled for about twenty minutes over the mike, amongst his repertoire was the William Tell overture........erm different to say the least.
One of the places we enjoyed was Hopewell Colliery and underground tour we arrived quite early and so the guided tour consisted of just us two. This mine is still worked by hand all be it on a small scale. Years ago the forest folk could lay claim to an area they wanted to mine and that went on for many years apparently there are tunnels all under the forest. It was a hard life, which included the very young.
Our guide, a partner in the mine and ex-miner was a typical down to earth local, he was very knowledgeable and interesting. The tour was all on foot going deep into the darkness, with only our lamps for light. My mind ran away with me at this point and I did wonder if some of the tales of the forest could be true, and that we might go down there never to be seen again.
PHEW ...... after walking up hill for what seemed like ages, we eventually emerged at an exit (well a hole really) in the forest and walked back to the cafe to find a friendly welcome, coffee and the biggest slice of cake I had seen in ages. Our guide even insisted we got Lucy from the car and brought her inside too.
Littledean jail
Another interesting place was Littledean Jail The fact that it's a jail isn't it's attraction in it's self, it houses one mans collection of all that is weird and wonderful, in their words 'The Alcatraz of the forest' they claim it's the largest private collection of crime related memorabilia and curiosities.
Part of it is aptly named ' The crime through time exhibition' which includes stories of mass murderers, war crimes, and all things gruesome, along side cruel fates of nature, inc a two headed calf. There are collections displaying the antics of the rich and famous, along with a Quadrophenia exhibition.
There is so much to see and read and if we were in the area again we would go back, there wasn't enough time to take it all in.
We went on lot's of interesting walks through the forest, one being a sculpture trail, another nice place was Cyril Hart Arboretum.
Lydney old docks was and interesting place where we had a good view of the magnificent river severn rushing in under the severn bridge.
Another place we visited was the impressive Goodrich castle, we had an audio tour which gave a really good insight into how the castle would have been and how people lived and worked there.
The site we stayed at was called Hawthorne cottage, it is near the small town Coleford. There are only ten pitches, it is a pleasant site, you can go deep into the forest by walking just across the road, this was a favourite with Lucy. The facilities, one shower each gents and ladies were dated but clean. The only thing we didn't like about it was that the neighbours dogs were let out very early in the morning and left to bark. We did tell the owner of the site ( he was one of the lesser friendly forest folk), but his reply was 'your in the country', having lived in the country for most of our lives we are not adverse to cows mooing, cocks crowing e.t.c but did not take kindly to being woken at six a.m. by barking dogs.
Points out of 10
Area 9
Site 7
Pitch: 7
Facilities: 7
