Reclaimed Harbour Lydney Forest of Dean

Reclaimed Lydney Harbour. There has been a port here since Roman times, but locks and docks were not built until the early 19th century. Coal and timber were the main exports together with smaller amounts of stone and ore. At one point late in its life, timber was actually imported through here, African hardwood for use by local industries. At its peak 406,400 tonnes of coal per annum passed through handled by 9 coaling stages.
Silt from the river has always, and still is a problem, and in 1810 proposals were made to build a dock, as well as construct a lock, and a canal, to ship goods from Lydney. Approval was granted and the work took 3 years to complete. In 1821 the dock was extended again and a tidal basin added to extend the access time between tides.
Today the harbour is kept respectful of its past, allowing access to most of what remains, some of the machinery and capstan, together with some of the old buildings. There are some information boards and it is easy to find traces of the past activities. Using the harbour as a base there are some very good walks to be had, both up river, down river and inland. I hope this film provides a useful snapshot.

[@steveball2835]

excellent, the reason for joining was i saw Lydney , and as i have a bus with Mr Rob Brown in the Station yard, lydney, i clicked on you. Excellent videos , young sir, thank you, regards steve,

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

You are very kind Steve, thank you. Ron

[@juliansadler6263]

The last shipment of Dean Forest Coal left Lydney Lower Dock in 1962. Lydney Upper Dock closed to shipping earlier. Nice to see you still looking around.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Julian, thanks for the info. Ron

[@Carpetmas5]

Very interesting tomorrow we hope to look round Lydney docks.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I think it has changed a little since this was filmed Martin. For the better I hope. Ron

[@Cheeseatingjunlista]

You need more, well, you SHOULD have more subscribers, all of your films are fascinating and so well made. I salute you, as one of your avid subscribers, I enjoy being one of what is currently a small cult, but one that deserves to grow. Thank you for your massive and excellent efforts

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Well thank you, that is very encouraging. Before You Tube it used to be just me that watched them, and any family members that weren't quick enough to escape.

[@michaelpilling9659]

What a wonderful film Ron. Some great finds - satisfying both my canal and railway thirst. Never been there. Learnt an awful lot from you. Thanks for taking my along

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Glad you enjoyed it. P,W,

[@lumphammer441]

Im glad you mentioned the block work ron cuz I laid them when the docks got renovated made my day thanks for that

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I bet that was hard work. Well done. P.W.

[@jacquelinepaddock7535]

Thanks for the blog, I remember being taken to see it in the1950s by an uncle when I was staying with relatives. I was taken to see the Severn bore -unforgettable day.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

My pleasure Jacqueline. P.W.

[@notyhbynorthwest]

Just came across your videos by accident, and really enjoyed this video of Lydney Harbor. My brother lives in the Forest north of Lydney, and has been active with the Lydney Yacht Club, including in the refurbishment of the clubhouse. He has two boats there, one parked on a trailer in front of the clubhouse, and another moored in the harbour. He said that the harbour area has had a clear out of some of the abandoned boats since I was last there, which was around the time you were there. This was very informative, I learned a whole lot. I am looking forward to watching the rest of your videos and learning more about this lovely part of the world. All the best, and stay safe....Ian

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Ian, sounds like I need to revisit some time soon, thanks for posting, Ron

[@TheByard]

Thanks for that and reminding me of Lydney, my father was the works superintendent on the construction of the Severn Wye Cable Tunnel for the CEGB. One shaft was behind the Aust Service Area on the M4, the tunnel went at an between the 1st Severn Bridge the 2nd shaft was at the Beachly Point accessed through the Army Apprentice College, the 3rd was at Stonehouse on the Welsh side. I followed on with my wife a few weeks late driving a lorry backwards and forwards to London bringing mobile offices and construction machinery. As the contract was going to be for several years dad and I bought a houses in Lydney, so we often went down to the docks to walk off Sunday lunch.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Glad you enjoyed your trip down memory lane. PW

[@chrismccartney8668]

Great video so much history for coming together of Sea Canal and Rail in a sense an integrated transport logistics Hub that we see so often now in Business Park for example near Stansted Air/Road Freight and near M11M25 Tesco Distribution Centre

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

There is an old saying 'there is nothing new', I guess that proves it. Ron

[@MrBooojangles]

Such an interesting video. I've always visited Sharpness docks when I've ever been on holiday in Gloucestershire, as I love the place and the history behind it and I knew Lydney was over there, but I never knew Lydney harbour was as historic and as fascinating as Sharpness. It's almost like a miniature version of Sharpness, or as if it was styled on it.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Glad you enjoyed it. Ron

[@Forester15]

You mention a revisit, well worth it if only for the excellent coffee they sell in a recently established snack bar. The docks have been further renovated although much to the disgust of us locals access to the pier area is prevented by unsightly fencing, for the safety of us all [?]

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I was in that area not long ago, a nice cup of coffee would have been welcome. Ron

[@livz666]

I was there on Sunday afternoon. I've lived in Gloucester all my life and didn't even know this was here. It looks a bit worse for wear now though with derelict boats and overgrown trees. I wondered if there was a railway that ran along side it or wether they unloaded further up in Lydney, now I know. Nice video :)

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi James, I thought it looked reasonably well cared for when I was there, sounds like they are letting it go, although they are supposed to be developing it. Perhaps Covid is to blame. P.W.

[@chrismccartney8668]

Rail Sail River Locks lots to see interesting the canal/rail combination

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Chris

[@michaelpilling9659]

The comment posted 10 months ago is not me even though it says it is

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

The comments do get tangled now and again, some I can't get to to respond for some reason. P.W.

[@lumphammer441]

Lydney is not in the forest of dean get your facts right

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Sorry. P.W.