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

By road

Lydney can be reached by road from the A48 running from Gloucester and Chepstow where you can access the M5 and M4.

By bus

Bus services from Lydney Bus Station link Lydney with local towns and villages, Gloucester and Chepstow.

By train

• 🌍 Lydney railway station is 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.
• 🌍 Dean Forest Railway, at the Norchard Steam Centre (on the B4234 Forest Road between Lydney and Whitecroft, about 9 miles from Chepstow). This 4½-mile line runs through beautiful woodland and countryside. 5 stations along the way give you time to explore the local area, take woodland walks, visit country pubs, or venture down to the Severn estuary to explore Lydney Harbour with its views across the Severn. free on non-passenger train days; steam train fares: adult £12, senior £11, child aged 5 to 16: £6, family £30, child under 5 is free, for all-day travel. Cream teas, suppers, galas available -- see the web site. (updated Sep 2017)

Get around

By foot

Walking within the town is possible, however if you plan to travel around the Forest then driving is essential.

By taxi

There are several taxi companies operating in Lydney. It is advisable to book in advance as, especially during peak times, supply is limited.

By bus

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 and Lydney Park. The site was archaeologically excavated in the 1920s by Sir Mortimer Wheeler, with the assistance of J.R.R. Tolkien.  
• 🌍 Dean Forest Railway, Forest Road, GL15 4ET, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail].  

Do

• 🌍 The National Diving & Activity Centre, Tidenham (a couple of miles away along the road to Gloucester A48), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. W-F 9:30AM - 5PM 1st dive 10AM, out of water by 4PM; F-Su & bank holidays: 8AM-5PM, out of water by 4PM.  

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.), ☎ [phone]. Daily 11AM-5PM. Inspired by history, tradition and heritage - original, unique gifts in leather, ceramics and pewter, greetings cards. Green Man plaques, bags, belts, masks, jewellery, brooches, badges, miniatures. 

Eat

Drink

Sleep

• The Deangate Motel, High Street, Lydney, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: M-Sa 2-8PM; Su 2-5PM. 5 minutes drive from the train station. Continental breakfast is served in your room at £5 per person. Free parking and Wi-Fi. Tea and coffee facilities, flat-screen TV, hairdryer and adjustable heating system. Close to walking tracks and cycling routes, and fishing is available on the nearby Bristol Channel. Single/double with shared bath £39/49; double/twin with private bath £62.50, family room up to 6 £132, disabled access room £71.20. (updated Sep 2017)

Connect

Go next

• Chepstow