Puzzlewood
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Puzzlewood is an ancient wood, near Coleford in the Forest of Dean ,Gloucestershire[1] [2] which is now a tourist attraction. The site is probably the best example of Pre-Roman open cast iron mines in the Forest of Dean, covering 14 acres. Over a mile of pathways were laid down in the early 1800s to provide access to the woods, and provide spectacular walks. In Puzzlewood you will find strange rock formations, secret caves and ancient trees, which have kept locals guessing for centuries as to what hand or force could have created such a landscape, aptly named Puzzlewood. The area contains a confusing maze of the paths and wooden seats. Puzzlewood is said to be one of J. R. R. Tolkien's inspirations[3] for Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings.
How was the landscape formed?
Geologists have now started solving the mystery of how this unique natural landscape was formed.
The geological feature on show at Puzzlewood are known as 'Scowles'.
Scowles are a significant archeological features and 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 3000 3rd Century AD Roman 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. And could there be other treasures within Puzzlewood waiting to be discovered?
Are the paths natural?
In the early 1800s a local landowner laid down a mile of pathways which meandered through the trees and gulleys 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.
Middle Earth
JRR Tolkien, a frequent visitor to the Forest Of Dean, would undoubtedly have visited Puzzlewood, and many believe Puzzlewood was the inspiration for the fabled forests of Middle Earth contained within "The Lord of the Rings". When 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 great work.
