The key characteristics of the Forest of Dean and Lower Wye are:

105. Forest of Dean and Lower Wye

The key characteristics of the Forest of Dean and Lower Wye are:

• A well-wooded plateau of ridges and valleys, contained by outer rim of more open landscape on limestone and sandstone ridges.

• Small-scale varied industry and industrial artefacts intermixed with settlements and large broadleaved and coniferous woodlands.

• A strong sense of identity through being remote and self-contained.

• Ever-present evidence of history, with artifacts and elements from many historic periods still visible.

• Scattered and sprawling settlements and small holdings retaining the feel of clearances from the forest.

• Mixed building materials and sporadic development give amorphous and disorganised feel to settlements.

For further details on this character area and for an introduction to the region, please see the PDF documents in the box at the top right hand side of this page.