Overview

Dean Heritage centre SAT NAV GL14 2UB. Phone 01594 822170 We recommend you start our tour of the Forest of Dean here, which is a circular drive of 20 miles through beautiful scenery, and we suggest a number of places for you to stop and enjoy, and to help you, we have given you the SAT NAV directions for each forthcoming drive. but there is also a map available that you can download as well, which offers more details of the trip itself. www.visitdeanwye.co.uk/things-to-do/tours-and trails/the-ROYAL-forest-route We visited during the later days of November so that we could enjoy the Autumn colours that grace this area. This museum is Run by Dean Heritage museum trust, which was formed in 1979, who gained the site at Camp Mill, and opened this museum in 1983, which is located on a five acre site where nature and wildlife surround the museum, with walking trails that allow wildlife to be seen, such as the Kingfisher that uses the main pond, and many other birds that will delight you. Lots to do and see, especially helpful for youngsters, with a woodland playground which has climbing frames, swing, picnic tables, indoor craft hut ideal on a rainy day and school holidays. Most of the area is accessible for you, with five museums to see, as well as outdoor areas, and on a summer day trip you may wish to allow 2 hours or so to see it all, but during the winter period it is only opened thursday to Sunday, 10 till 4. so bear this in mind. However, even then it’s a delightful place to quickly pop in and look around, before starting our route. History. By the late Middle Ages there were already mills around the edge of the forest, with one mill at least working by 1256, but sadly, most of the corn mills were closed by the late 19th century. Camp Mill at Soudley was used for millboard manufacture by 1888; sold in 1901 to Dulcote leather board co. But that failed in 1908. In 1922 it was used as a saw mill, but that closed in 1952. So Dean Heritage museum opened in 1983, and it covers Archaeology, coal mining and the Iron industry, transport, music and costumes. It houses over 20,000 objects and documents, with a working beam engine, it’s own water wheel, geological model of the forest, and 18th century clocks. There are five galleries, and historical outdoor displays. The Gage library has a collection of books and maps, bequested by Laurie Gage who was a book dealer with an interest in the area itself. The pre-historical history is housed in gallery 1, with displays, fossils, tools and Iron industry. Gallery three is from Victorian times, fishing, cottage crafts, and the coal mining past. Parking is then free. The Gruffalo trail is based on the book, where children can meet models of animals as they wander along. You can buy “Trail only” tickets at £3. (under 3 is free), available at weekends and term times. Phone 01594822170. For our full trip, we suggest you read reviews 2 Cyril Hart Arboretum and Cannop Ponds, review 3 Beechenhurst (cafe here). Review 4 New Fancy view and Mallards Pike. You will be able to read history and interesting facts to help you enjoy the reading itself, if you cannot visit these places. If you like our efforts on your behalf, please tick the “I like” button as this may encourage others to read and hopefully offer support to Euans guide. Review 1 Forest of Dean Heritage centre photos. (Photo 1) The beautiful Gloucestershire countryside took us into the forest (photo 2) for our circular drive of about 20 miles. About half hour after approaching Forest, driving through some delightful scenery, we arrived at the Dean Heritage centre (photo 3). As you enter the mill, there are three disabled parking bays (photo 4), but if these are taken then the main car park is just a few yards away (photo 5) with free parking. Sitting by the main pond was so relaxing (photo 6) and I was delighted to see a Kingfisher diving into the pond. The converted museum has five galleries to explore (photo 7). Our final thoughts It’s a fascinating old place, and disappointed it was not open this day, it’s only open Thursday to Sunday during the winter months. Certainly recommend visiting this museum at whatever time of year.

Transport & Parking

Beautiful forest scenery takes you to the starting point, sometimes along busy roads, but it’s also quiet on some, and you cannot miss the sign to say you have arrived. There are three disabled bays available just yards after arriving, but if full, the main free car park is just a few more yards away.

Access

Most of the area is disabled friendly, one or two spots you may want to miss, but it’s a nice place to give it a go. Not being opened on our visit, we cannot really say much, other than we could cope with what we wanted to see, without getting into museums. Seating is there to rest as you go around.

Toilets

Staff

Photos