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Welcome
to one of England's few remaining ancient forests,
covering over 110
square kilometres of woodland. The Forest of
Dean lies between the rivers Wye and Severn, in
the western part of Gloucestershire, and on the
borders of Wales and Herefordshire. The Royal
Forest of Dean was designated as a National Forest
Park in 1938, the first in England, and offers you
its natural beauty and outdoor leisure.
The
Forest is one of the most distinctive areas of
Britain having a seductive charm and character that
is uniquely its own.
The
Forest covers 35 square miles and you are welcome to
explore - to walk the many miles of forest roads and
tracks, or cycle the stoned forest roads in the
centre of the Forest. A number of waymarked trails
for cyclists and walkers cross the Forest, ranging
in length from a few kilometres to long distance
paths. There are plenty of picnic sites, car parks,
view points and camp sites in the area.
The
Dean
Forest Railway Society, which acts as a support
organisation for the railway, was originally formed
in 1970 to preserved the Lydney to Parkend branch
line.
The
first Steam Open Day took place in October 1971,
with Peckett locomotive Uskmouth I hauling brake van
rides over 200 feet of siding. Members were
soon keen to shake of a reputation as being the
"World's Shortest Passenger Railway!".
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