Dean, Forest of

Elevated tract of land and national forest park in western Gloucestershire, between the Severn and Wye valleys. The principal towns are Cinderford and Coleford. Ironworking took place here from the earliest times, and coal was mined until the early 20th century. Clay, building stone, and ochre are also found here.

The Forest of Dean was once a royal forest; many of the trees were felled by order of Parliament after the Restoration of the monarchy in the mid-17th century. Much of the forest's timber was used to build naval vessels.