“I thought all the trees were whispering to each other, passing news and plots along in an unintelligible language, and the branches swayed and groped without any wind. ”

– Lord of the Rings, the two towers

Do you recognise this quote? It’s one from the famous JRR TOLKIEN’s Book, ‘The Lord of the Rings’, and describes Puzzlewood to a tee, and exactly how it felt as you walk through the Forest of Dean and into Puzzlewood.

There is something quietly surreal about Puzzlewood- the way the branches twist like theyre in mid conversation, the moss clinging to rocks like its always been there, the silence that isn’t really silence at all.

So is it a surprise that I dragged my family here, as soon as I possibly could?

The 14 acre section of ancient woodland has been attracting wanderers, film-makers and writers for decades and has even been the inspiration for a certain middle earth known to all of us. But the actual history of this forest stretches back to Roman times- dating back to the times when iron ore was mined from here (from back to 1-4century AD). The mining activities itself has left behind an interesting landscape in itself.

These were later reclaimed by the forest and soon formed scowles

Scowles (which are somewhat native to puzzlewood)- natural limestone formations that were deepened and widened by human excavation. These then became overgrown with trees and moss over centuries – leading to the eerie, magical, terrain we see today.

‘I’ve definitely seen this before somewhere…’

With so many directors and writers coming here, it would be a shocker if you hadn’t seen this in movies by now!

1. Star Wars: The force awakens

2. Merlin

With many more, but super interesting to see!

So what to expect when you get there?

Tips before you get there

• Parking is available! And is free! So bring your car along!

• Theres a little farm on the site as well, with little donkeys and sheep on site, but are mainly for looking
• There is an entry fee for the place

• wear good footwear! it can be very slippery especially on the bridges and often muddy if it has rained! Waterproof footwear is recommended!!
• No dogs allowed here
• Bring your camera – it’s a photographers dream

MOST IMPORTANTLY ENJOY YOURSLEF!!

My final thoughts…

Puzzlewood isn’t the kind of place you tick off a travel list. It’s the kind you carry with you long after you’ve left — tangled in memory like the roots beneath your feet. There’s something quietly transformative about wandering through spaces that ask nothing of you but to notice.

Whether you’re chasing cinematic landscapes, craving a moment of stillness, or simply looking for a walk that feels like a storybook come to life — Puzzlewood reminds you that magic doesn’t always need spells. Sometimes, it just needs silence, moss, and a bit of mist.

So if you go, take your time. Let your phone lose signal. Let your imagination take the lead. You might just find what you didn’t know you were looking for.