Lydney
Lydney is a small town in the county of Gloucestershire. It is located between the Forest of Dean and the River Severn on the A48.
Understand
Lydney is an essential place to visit for anyone with a sense of adventure, and a journey down the A48. The high street may not be the most packed, but there is a wide selection of takeaways and hairdressers for your enjoyment. There truly is something for everyone, some of the pubs may even sell soft drinks too! Easily avoidable due to the bypass, Lydney may have seen more visitors to its many, many, attractions in years gone by, and yet this has only had minimal impact on the carefully managed financial and social ecosystem that resides on the banks of the River Severn.
Admittedly, there are better places to visit, but none has the same sense of nervous enjoyment you get as when you walk past a group of teenagers after dark. This isn't a big place, so murder is harder to get away with. But will that stop them trying?
The architecture has much to be learnt, and town planning is a silly idea for Americans, but still there is something extra about Lydney that makes you happy to get back on the road, no matter how long the journey has been thus far. With more housing estates than you'd have though for such a small town, there are many places that can be explored, and a selection that can be enjoyed too.
Get in
- Lydney can be reached by road from the A48 running from Gloucester and Chepstow where you can access the M5 and M4.
- Lydney railway station is located on the Gloucester - Newport line. Arriva Trains Wales operates hourly services from Cheltenham Spa-Maesteg/Cardiff Central. CrossCountry also operate the Cardiff Central-Nottingham route via Birmingham New Street, which runs six times daily from Monday - Saturday.
- There are a number of bus service from Lydney Bus Station linking Lydney with local towns and villages, as well as to Gloucester and Chepstow.
- Visit the Dean Forest Railway which is based at the Norchard Steam Centre, on the B4234 Forest Road between Lydney and Whitecroft, about 9 miles from Chepstow. Entrance is free on non-passenger train days. An example of steam train fares is Adult: £6.50, Senior: £5.50, Child aged 5 to 16: £4.50, child under 5 is free, for all day, travel as many times as you like. But see the web site for alternatives: .
Get around
- Walking within the town is possible, however if you plan to travel around the Forest then driving is essential.
- There are several taxi companies operating in Lydney. It is advisable to book in advance as, especially during peak times, supply is limited.
- There are also a few bus services operating in and around Lydney, however these are infrequent and only cover small parts of the town.
See
- Lydney Docks
- Romano-Celtic Temple at Lydney Park. The site was archeologically excavated in the 1920s by Sir Mortimer Wheeler, with the assistance of J.R.R. Tolkien.
- Dean Forest Railway, Forest Road, GL15 4ET, ☎ +44 1594 845840, e-mail: infodfr@btconnect.com.
Buy
- Green Man and the Gatekeeper, Now at Taurus Crafts, The Old Park, GL15 6BU (On the A48, Chepstow road from Lydney to Taurus Crafts - Look for the Bull sculpture on your right.), ☎ +44 1594 843860. 11.0 to 5.00 daily. Inspired by History, Tradition and Heritage - Original, unique gifts in leather, ceramics and pewter. We also produce our own range of original greetings cards. Green Man Plaques • Bags • Belts • Masks • Jewellery • Brooches • Badges • Miniatures • Greetings Cards.
Sleep
- The Deangate Motel. Offers affordable, modern accommodation.