Puzzlewood
Puzzlewood(grid referenceSO578092) is anancient woodlandsite and tourist attraction, nearColefordin theForest of Dean,Gloucestershire,England.[1][2]The site, covering 14 acres (5.7 ha), shows evidence ofopen-castiron ore miningdating from theRomanperiod, and possibly earlier.
Over a mile of pathways were laid down in the early 19th century to provide access to the woods, and providepicturesquewalks. The area contains strange rock formations, secret caves and ancient trees, with a confusing maze of paths.
The site is listed as a regionally important geological site in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review'.[3]
Geology
[edit]The geological features on show at Puzzlewood are known asscowles.Scowles originated through the erosion of natural cave systems formed in theCarboniferous Limestonemany millions of years ago. Uplift and erosion caused the cave system to become exposed at the surface. This was then exploited byIron Agesettlers through toRomantimes for the extraction ofiron ore.It is usually impossible to date open-cast extraction precisely, although ores with a chemical signature consistent with those from the Forest of Dean were certainly used to make tools and weapons in the late prehistoric period.[4]
Roman coins
[edit]Over 3,000 Roman-eracoinswere found by workers in 1848. The coins were stored in threeearthenwarejars in a cavity in the rock formations. The origin of the coins is unknown.[5]
Literary influences
[edit]Harry PotterauthorJ. K. Rowlinghas also visited Puzzlewood. TheForbidden Forestwithin the series bears some similarities to the geography of the area.[6]Additionally, the forest is believed to have been an inspiration forJ. R. R. Tolkien'sThe Lord of the Rings.[7]
Filming location
[edit]Puzzlewood has been used as afilming locationfor both film and television in recent years. Notable examples include:
Films
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1(2010)[8]
- Jack the Giant Slayer(2013)[9][10]
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens(2015)[9][11]
- The Huntsman: Winter's War(2016)[9][10]
- A Midsummer Night's Dream(2016)[12]
- The Secret Garden(2020)[9][10]
Television
- Doctor Who(2005-present) (Flesh and Stone)[9][13][14]
- Merlin(2008-2012)[9][15]
- Wizards vs Aliens(2012-2014)[9][16]
- Tree Fu Tom(2012-2016)[9][16]
- Atlantis(2013-2015)[9][17]
- Da Vinci's Demons(2013-2015)[9][16]
- Hidden Kingdoms(2014)[9]
- The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance(2019)[18]
- Cursed(2020)
References
[edit]- ^"Puzzlewood attraction".Archivedfrom the original on 3 March 2016.Retrieved3 November2014.
- ^"Area map with overviews".Custom dress shIrts.Archived fromthe originalon 11 February 2004.Retrieved3 November2014.
- ^Forest of Dean District Local Plan Review, adopted November 2005, Appendix D 'Nature Conservation Site Designations Within the Forest of Dean District', Regionally important Geological Sites (RIGS), Item 22
- ^"Gloucestershire County Council Information Sheet: The Scowles of the Forest of Dean".Archived fromthe originalon 18 August 2006.Retrieved3 November2014.
- ^"The Wood – a brief history".puzzlewood.net.Archived fromthe originalon 4 December 2014.Retrieved30 November2014.
- ^Ashcroft, David."Puzzlewood".On Landscape.Archivedfrom the original on 22 August 2020.Retrieved22 August2020.
- ^"Puzzlewood Filming Location".Retrieved7 February2023.
- ^"A muggle's guide to Harry Potter filming locations | VisitEngland".Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2020.Retrieved13 January2020.
- ^abcdefghijk"Filming at Puzzlewood".Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2020.Retrieved13 January2020.
- ^abc"Films at Puzzlewood - Official site for the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley".Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2020.Retrieved13 January2020.
- ^"Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens - Official site for the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley".Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2020.Retrieved13 January2020.
- ^"BBC One - A Midsummer Night's Dream".Archivedfrom the original on 27 July 2018.Retrieved13 January2020.
- ^"BBC - Doctor Who: Behind the scenes at Puzzlewood".Archivedfrom the original on 2 November 2014.Retrieved2 May2010.
- ^"Doctor Who (2005 – 2013) - Official site for the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley".Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2020.Retrieved13 January2020.
- ^"Merlin (2008-2014) - Official site for the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley".Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2020.Retrieved13 January2020.
- ^abc"TV Programmes at Puzzlewood - Official site for the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley".Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2020.Retrieved13 January2020.
- ^"Atlantis (2013-2014) - Official site for the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley".Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2020.Retrieved13 January2020.
- ^"THE DARK CRYSTAL - AGE OF RESISTANCE: Sean Mathiesen - VFX Supervisor - DNEG - the Art of VFXThe Art of VFX".Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2020.Retrieved13 January2020.
External links
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