Lydney

During the 19th century Lydney was very much an industrial area and in 1810 a small dock and short canal was constructed close to the River Severn by the Severn & Wye Railway Company. A few miles away in the Forest of Dean there were numerous coal mines from which the coal was brought to Lydney Harbour for export. Sadly, two centuries later the docks have gone into decline and today purely used by leisure craft. Indeed, much of the industrial units nearby have closed and remain in a derelict state. Even those living in Lydney will admit that it is not the prettiest of towns. The one main street is lined with small independent shops and at either end a modern supermarket. There is a railway station out of town close to Lydney Harbour. In the town though and crossing the main road is the preserved line of the Dean Forest Railway which operates throughout the year.