We live in the Forest of Dean.
Newent
Newent is certainly one of the most attractive towns in the Forest of Dean area.
It is a thriving, unspoilt market town with a wide range of attractions for the shopper and visitor. Many of the buildings date from the 13th century, and centerpiece of the town is the Old Market Hall, which was built in 1668.
The area around Newent has long been known for its wild daffodils which grow naturally in the woods and meadows around the town.
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Newent Market House |
Newents Town Crier |
Newent's Onion Fayre
First let me tell you how the Newent Onion Fayre came into being:
Two Separate grants for fairs and markets, with other privileges, in Newent were purchased by the Abbey of Cormeille as early as the 10th century, the 37th (year) of Henry 111 (1226-1253). These were also allowed in a writ of Quo Warrants Is issued by Edward 1 (1287) and the grants renewed in the Reign of Henry V111. James 1 confirmed these privileges and added a new charter for two additional fairs.
In the early 1900's gardeners from Evesham brought large quantities of onions to the September Newent Market. The fair was traditionally held in the streets and cloths were laid on the table tombs in St Mary's churchyard selling gingerbread, cider, perry and other farm produce After World War 1, French Onion sellers & producers, known as "Onion Johnies" brought their Onion crop to the Friday Cardiff market. Onions left over were then conveyed, usually by bicycle, to Newent for the September Fair.
As Onions are usually harvested in late August it is probably the reason why the fayre became known as The Onion Fair most other summer vegetables are either stored by then for the winter or had to be consumed by mid September. The last known Onion Fair was held on 2nd September 1939.
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Newent Lake & Arboretum
Newent Lake is a 16 acre lake popular with local residents and tourists and home to mallards, moorhens, coots, swans and fish, including carp.
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The arboretum is 9 acres and was planted with over 1000 trees for the millenium. It is very popular with dog owners. The Hill with the clump of trees on the top in the distance is May Hill.
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Views from our Dog Walks
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May Hill
The great dome-shaped mass of May Hill was pushed up to its 1,000-feet eminence about 250 million years ago and is geologically one of the Malvern Hills.
What makes the hill most recognizable is, the tall coppice on the summit. It is said – and written – that this cluster of trees was planted in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
Several Counties can be viewed from the summit including, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire
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Other Pictures in the Forest
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The Sculpture Trail |
The Sculpture Trail |
Symonds Yat |
View from Plump Hill |
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Symonds Yat |
Aerial photo's of Gloucestershire
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View of Newent |
View of Newent with Arboretum |
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View of May Hill |
Gloucester Cathedral - used in the Harry Potter movies |
The Donut |
The Malvern Hills
The Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has spectacular views and is only a short drive away from the Forest of Dean
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The Three Counties Showground |
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