Puzzlewood

Puzzlewood is an ancient woodland, near Coleford in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. [ [http://www.townsinbritain.co.uk/gloucestershireattractions/puzzlewood.html Puzzlewood attraction] ] [ [http://www.royalforest.info/whattosee.php# Area map with overviews] ] The site, covering 14 acres, is probably the best example of pre-Roman Celtic open cast iron mines in the Forest of Dean.

It is now a tourist attraction. Over a mile of pathways were laid down in the early 1800s to provide access to the woods, and provide picturesque walks. The area contains strange rock formations, secret caves and ancient trees, with a confusing maze of paths. Puzzlewood is said to be one of J. R. R. Tolkien's inspirations [ [http://www.storybookengland.com/authors.php?form_id=3414904311 Reference to Tolkien's inspiration] ] for Middle-earth in "The Lord of the Rings".

Geology

The geological features on show at Puzzlewood are known as scowles. Scowles originated through the erosion of natural underground cave systems formed in the Carboniferous Limestone many millions of years ago. Uplift and erosion caused the cave system to become exposed at the surface. This was then exploited by Iron Age settlers through to Roman times for the extraction of iron ore.

Evidence of Roman occupation of the area is supported by the discovery of a hoard of over 3,000 3rd Century AD coins which were found in the scowles of Puzzlewood. Once the Romans left, nature reclaimed the old workings with moss and trees, to create the unique landscape. The historical use soon became forgotten, and the folklore of Puzzlewood began.

"The Puzzlewood Treasure"

In 1848 some workmen, after moving a block of stone in the woods, found a small cavity in the rocks. In this cavity, hidden away, were three earthenware jars containing over 3,000 Roman coins. No-one knows why the coins were hidden away in the cliff face nor by whom.

Landscaping

In the early 1800s a local landownerwho laid down a mile of pathways which meandered through the trees and gullies to open up this ancient forest, originally for the amusement of his friends and children. Then, in the early 1900s, Puzzlewood opened to the public, with an honesty box at the gate for the benefit of the local church. Since then it is has remained essentially unchanged with the same pathways and bridges as in earlier times, but with the addition of visitor facilities on the Puzzlewood site. It has attracted thousands of visitors each year ever since.

Influence on Tolkien

J. R. R. Tolkien, a frequent visitor to the Forest of Dean, may have visited Puzzlewood, and manywho believe Puzzlewood was the inspiration for the fabled forests of Middle-earth, such as the Old Forest, Mirkwood, Fangorn or Lothlórien contained within "The Lord of the Rings". There is some reason though to suspect that the true location is the less well known, scowles at Lydney Park grounds where Tolkien stayed. When "The Lord of the Rings" was named Britain's favourite book in "The Big Read", Puzzlewood was chosen by Ray Mears as the location to champion Tolkien's work.

References

External links

* [http://www.puzzlewood.net Puzzlewood]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3678183 photos of Puzzlewood and surrounding area on geograph]