Mystical forest just an hour from Cardiff inspired Lord of The Rings and Harry Potter
Mystical forest just an hour from Cardiff inspired Lord of The Rings and Harry Potter
The ancient woodland is home to secret caves, rock formations, winding pathways and bridges that will make you feel as though you've entered another world.
Magical UK forest that inspired Lord of The Rings and Harry Potter
(Image: (Image: Getty) )
Cardiff is a city full of history and culture to explore and take in, but if you're feeling like you want to get out of the city, there's also plenty of options for adventures nearby. From mountain biking in Merthyr Tydfil, surfing at nearby Porthcawl or joining alpacas for a trek in the Brecon Beacons, Cardiff is surrounded by adventure. However, if you want to combine ancient history and nature, there's one sight that trumps the rest, and it's only an hour away from Cardiff.
Revered for its otherworldly terrain that inspired the likes of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, despite only being an hour from Wales' capital, it feels worlds away from it.
In a video uploaded to TikTok, the travel creator Claire Robinson shared that the ancient woodlands of Puzzlewood are complete with "secret caves, rock formations, winding pathways and bridges" — areas believed to have influenced both J. R. R. Tolkien and J. K. Rowling in their writing.
Puzzlewood boasts a remarkable past, with evidence of historic iron ore mining activities and a hoard of 3,000 Roman coins uncovered amid the rocks in 1848, tracing the 14-acre wood back to the Roman period.
The whimsical site is believed to have inspired Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings and has served as a filming location for numerous films and TV shows, including Star Wars and Doctor Who.
While Puzzlewood is said to have influenced the Harry Potter series, its actual location, the Forest of Dean, was also featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
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Visitors to Puzzlewood can take in the scenic beauty through walks around the area. The labyrinth of paths winds past striking rock formations and leads to hidden caves. However, Claire suggests visiting early to "catch its natural beauty before the rest of the world visits."
The ancient site has inspired a number of fantasy novels
(Image: www.wyedeantourism.co.uk )
The site closes in December and reopens in April, remaining open daily until the end of October. However, opening hours may vary depending on your visit date.
From April, it opens at 10am and closes at 5pm until the end of June.
Extended hours are in effect during July and August, with gates closing at 6pm. It's also a budget-friendly outing, with adult tickets priced at £9.90 and children's tickets at £8.50.
Entry is free for children aged two and under, but pushchairs are not permitted, as the uneven terrain and moss-covered stones can be difficult to climb through.
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It's also recommended to check the weather before travelling, as the site closes in cases of severe weather.
If you fancy making a trip out of it, you can also stay at Puzzlewood, which has holiday cottages available to book near the ancient woodlands. However, they don't allow dogs.
For dog-friendly options, Claire recommends staying in the nearby Woofield, although they won't be allowed into Puzzlewood unless they're assistance dogs.
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