LOCAL INFORMATION
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a beautiful county and is split into three main areas, the Cotswolds, the Royal Forest of Dean and the Severn Valley . Gloucester is the county's capital, famous for its Norman cathedral, restored docks and fine rugby team.
The Forest of Dean is an ancient hunting forest lying between the rivers Wye and Severn, in the western part of Gloucestershire, and on the borders of Wales and Herefordshire. Designated as a National Forest Park in 1938, this ‘Queen of Forests’ boasts a spectacular range of natural beauty combined with an aura of magic and mystery that has been the inspiration for many great artists and writers including Dennis Potter, JRR Tolkien and JK Rowling.
Deep in Gloucestershire where the Cotswold hills rise abruptly from the Severn Vale lies the town of Stroud. Encircled by five sweeping valleys, the scenery is dramatic and the town has many excellent small, bohemian shops, cafes, galleries, markets and bookstores to potter around. Stroud is also famed for its arts and crafts and many studios open their doors to visitors – visit stained glass makers, painters, sculptors, weavers, ceramicists, furniture makers, conceptual artists |