Name: St Briavel's Castle
Rating: 2

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United Kingdom

England

South West England

Gloucestershire

Forest Of Dean

St. Briavels

St Briavel's Castle

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Places to see

United Kingdom

England

South West England

Gloucestershire

Forest Of Dean

St. Briavels

St Briavel's Castle

Recommended by 22 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Wye Valley National Landscape

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Location: St. Briavels, Forest Of Dean, Gloucestershire, South West England, England, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to St Briavel's Castle

5.0

(6)

hikers

1. Wye river loop & Offa's Dyke Path from St Briavels — Wye Valley

14.6km

04:21

450m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.0

(9)

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2. Slade Brook Travertine Dams loop from St Briavels — Wye Valley

5.42km

01:32

120m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.0

(5)

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3. River Wye & Hewelsfield Church loop from St Briavels — Wye Valley

14.2km

04:03

340m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

Steve'o

July 25, 2020

St Briavels Castle is a moated Norman castle at St Briavels in the English county of Gloucestershire. The castle is noted for its huge Edwardian gatehouse that guards the entrance.

St Briavels Castle was originally built between 1075 and 1129 as a royal administrative centre for the Forest of Dean. During the 13th century the castle became first a favourite hunting lodge of King John, and then the primary centre in England for the manufacture of quarrels, large numbers of which were required for crossbows in medieval warfare. The castle was transferred many times between royal favourites in the 14th and 15th centuries and slowly declined in appearance and importance. St Briavels Castle became used primarily as a court and as a notorious debtors' prison, conditions being documented by the prison reformer John Howard in 1775. Following local riots and a parliamentary investigation in the 1830s, reforms in the 19th century brought an end to the castle's use as a prison.

Extensive renovation at the turn of the 20th century allowed St Briavels Castle to be taken over as a Youth Hostel in 1948. It remains in this role today, owned by English Heritage and open to the public. The castle is classed as a Grade I listed building and as a Scheduled Monument.

JEANETTE

July 26, 2020

St Briavels (pronounced Brevels, once known as 'Ledenia Parva' (Little Lydney)),is a medium-sized village and civil parish in the Royal Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England; close to the England-Wales border, and 5 miles (8 km) south of Coleford. It stands almost 800 feet (240 m) above sea level on the edge of a limestone plateau above the valley of the River Wye, above an ancient meander of the river. To the west, Cinder Hill drops off sharply into the valley. It is sheltered behind the crumbling walls of the 12th century St Briavels Castle.

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Elevation 210 m

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Tuesday 30 September

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Location: St. Briavels, Forest Of Dean, Gloucestershire, South West England, England, United Kingdom

St Briavel's Castle

1. Wye river loop & Offa's Dyke Path from St Briavels — Wye Valley

2. Slade Brook Travertine Dams loop from St Briavels — Wye Valley

3. River Wye & Hewelsfield Church loop from St Briavels — Wye Valley

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