Long time no post! This August, we went to The Forest of Dean for a camping holiday. A last-minute addition was a morning spent at Puzzlewood, a place that has been on our bucket list for a decade! We had an absolutely delightful time going for a walk in Puzzlewood, and I’d recommend it to all explorers!
A Short History of Puzzlewood
Puzzlewood is a mysterious place. Known for its ancient glades being sets in films such as Harry Potter and Star Wars, it feels like stepping into something out of King Arthur, where you expect Merlin around the corner. Puzzlewood’s origins are somewhat unknown. Part of its geology comes from a collapsed caved system called scowles (rocky formations caused by eroded limestone). Then, Iron Age settlers and later the Romans mined hematite in the area, which makes the landscape today every more craggy. It opened as a tourist spot in the early 1900s. The temperate rainforest, filled with mosses and ferns, makes it feel a bit like Vancouver, and therefore I loved it that much more!
My Highlights
It took us about an hour to wander around the forest. However, there is no set route and lots of paths to take. You could wander for hours! We went through once, had a snack break and looked at the farm animals, and then went in again and took a completely new route. My highlights were the lovingly carved branch benches and bridges. Plus, I love a good fern!
Before Visiting
A note if you’re planning on visiting: there are over 200 stone steps! It isn’t suitable for buggies or wheelchairs or anyone with mobility difficulties. I recommend hiking boots as in dry weather you could slip on loose gravel, and I imagine it would be very slippery when raining.
