Forest of Dean

Local authority district in Gloucestershire, England

Coordinates:	51.81, -2.48
OS grid ref:	SO 66 12

The Forest of Dean district sits in the far west of Gloucestershire, tucked between the River Wye and the River Severn. It is dominated by large areas of ancient broadleaved woodland and a varied geology of coal and limestone, with principal towns such as Coleford, Lydney and Cinderford serving local communities and visitors.

Historically the area was a medieval Royal Forest with centuries of ironworking and coal mining that shaped its settlements and rights of way; the distinctive Free Miner traditions and much industrial archaeology survive as a reminder of that past. Heritage attractions such as the Dean Forest Railway and scattered ruins underline the district’s industrial story.

Today the local economy blends forestry and small-scale manufacturing with a strong visitor sector: mountain biking, walking and kayaking around places like Symonds Yat and the Wye Valley are big draws, while a lively arts and craft scene, sculpture trails and community events give the district a bold cultural identity despite its rural setting.

Forest of Dean postcode districts

GL14, GL15, GL16, GL17, GL18, GL19

Most populated places in Forest of Dean

Places in Forest of Dean

Alvington Built-up area
Awre Parish
Aylburton Built-up area
Beachley Built-up area
Berry Hill Built-up area
Blaisdon Parish
Blakeney Built-up area
Botloe's Green Built-up area
Bream Built-up area
Broadwell and Coalway Built-up area
Bromesberrow Parish
Bromesberrow Heath Built-up area
Churcham Parish
Cinderford Built-up area
Cinderford East Ward
Cinderford West Ward
Clearwell Built-up area
Coleford Built-up area
Corse Built-up area
Drybrook Built-up area
Dymock Built-up area
Hartpury Built-up area
Huntley Built-up area
Longhope Built-up area
Lydbrook Parish
Lydney Built-up area
Mitcheldean Built-up area
Newent Built-up area
Redmarley D'Abitot Built-up area
Ruardean Built-up area
Ruardean Woodside Built-up area
Woolaston Built-up area