If you go outside, even for just a few hours, you can carry you to a place where you feel a world away from normal everyday life, and the UK is home to many calm towns, from the stray Jurassic coast to the breathtaking Scottish highlands, to the breathtaking Scottish highlands known for their dramatic peaks.
However, there is one ancient site that stands out more than others, but its mysterious and fantastical landscapes are said to have influenced things like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. In a video posted to Tiktok, the travel creator Claire Robinson explained how otherworldly forests are home to “secret caves, rock formations, winding paths, and bridges.”
Puzzlewood is an ancient forest located in Dean's historic forest between the borders of England and Wales in Gloucestershire. Known for its winding trees and mossy stones, forested areas are often described as mystical places.
The impressive history of the 14-acre forest dates back to Roman times and is considered evidence of its use in cast iron ore mining, with 3,000 Roman coins discovered among the rock formations in 1848.
This fantasy-style site, which is said to have inspired the Lord of the Rings, is also used as a location for many films and TV shows, including Star Wars and Doctor Who.
Puzzlewood was inspired by Harry Potter's book, but Dean's Forest, where Puzzlewood actually existed, was also used as a place for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Visitors to Puzzlewood can take a walk through the views of the area. That maze of labyrinth leads through impressive rock formations of the past and heads out into hidden caves, but Claire recommends “catching the beauty of nature before the rest of the world visits.”
If closed in December, the site will resume to visitors in April and open to the public daily until the end of October, but different times may vary when visiting. It will open at 10am in April and will close the gates at 5pm until the end of June.
There will be a slightly longer hours of operation in July and August, with gates closing at 6pm. Also, for an affordable day, the cost of an adult ticket costs £9.90 and the child pays £8.50. Children under the age of 2 go for free, but the mystical terrain and mossy stones mean that strollers are not permitted.
If you're a little too far for a day trip, there are also plenty of accommodations to stay nearby. Puzzlewood has a holiday cottage that you can book, but dogs are not accommodated. If you're looking for something dog-friendly, Claire recommends staying at nearby Woofield.
