The UK is full of interesting corners that are worth discovering. And although many people visit this country with the intention of knowing its historical and cultural heritage, the truth is that it also hides truly amazing natural landscapes. It is the case of Dean forest (Forest of Dean), a region located in Gloucestershire, a non-metropolitan county located in the west of England.
As you can see for yourself in the images that we offer you in our gallery, this forest that seems to have come out of a story surprises by its paths labyrinths covered with moss, trees, elevations and wells. No wonder it is intimately related to "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter". Would you like to discover more details about this spectacular place? Well, be very attentive to what we tell you next!
A corner of great beauty
Centuries ago, the Forest of Dean served as a hunting ground for the monarchy. However, today it is a corner of great beauty that is visited by many lovers of nature, which aim to enjoy the flora, fauna and, ultimately, the fantastic environment that can be seen here. In addition, today you can also enjoy a lot of activities, such as archery or zip lines.
Traces of the past
Dean Forest is one of the oldest forests in England. Shaped like a triangle, it stretches across 102 square kilometers and still hides some traces of the past. And, despite having served as a royal hunting ground, it had been inhabited a long time before. So, we can find monuments megalithic and remains of the passage of the Romans, who were looking for coal and iron. After the Romans left, the forest served as a hunting ground for the Saxons and, later, for the Normans. Later, with the Industrial Revolution, the forest became a kind of industrial complex, housing mines of all kinds, as well as foundries, settlements, railways and cabins, among other constructions. By the mid-20th century, most of these mines had already closed, but they are still hidden deep in the forest, giving the area an even more picturesque touch.
A place worth knowing
In addition to being able to find many traces of the past, along and around the forest there are a lot of small towns, villages, caves, ponds, castles and museums, so visiting this area is well worth it. In addition, many trails have been created to facilitate the journey.
Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings
As we have mentioned before, this forest is related to two famous sagas literary: "Harry Potter" and "The Lord of the Rings". On the one hand, it is important to note that this is one of the few real places that appear in the series written by J.K. Rowling. What's more, many parts of the film were shot in Gloucestershire, which is also the place where the writer was brought up. In fact, he lived in the extreme south of the forest between 1974 and 1983. Therefore, it is not strange to think that this period influenced him to include him in the novels. On the other hand, it seems that this forest served as inspiration to imagine Middle-earth that J.R.R. Tolkien created in his most famous books. Yes, we are referring to "The Lord of the Rings". Apparently in the 1920s he carried out archaeological work in the forest. Then we leave you with our Gallery, where you will find more beautiful images of the Forest of Dean. Do not miss it!
Walks in England: Exploring the Forest of Dean - Part One (May 2024)
- forests, nature
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