Star locations

Star Wars fans in authentic costume in Puzzlewood

WYE VALLEY and Forest of Dean Tourism has launched an online film and TV trail to help visitors explore the area’s cinematic connections, including the latest installment of #StarWars.

The trail – which can be found at www.visitdeanwyefilm.co.uk – showcases a series of Wye Valley and Forest of Dean locations for movies such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, captured on Coppett Hill; Doctor Who, filmed in Clearwell Caves; and Star Wars VII, shot at Puzzlewood.

Using maps plotted by location and production, visitors can discover the woodlands, historic sites, caves, and glades featured in some of the biggest screen blockbusters.

Maureen McAllister, executive director of Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism, said: ‘Film-makers have flocked to the region for years – with our stunning natural scenery we’ve made the perfect backdrop for everything from the magic of Harry Potter to lightsaber duels.

According to a recent study by Creative England, international screen tourism was worth £140 million (in England outside of London) in 2014, with the best-performing sites attracting up to £4.3 million in combined domestic and international screen tourism annually. The trail is expected to boost visitor revenue in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean by a potential £35 million a year after three years.

Tourism in the Forest of Dean and Monmouthshire contributes £141.5 million and £158.1 respectively to the local economies.

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Rugby fans welcome

THE #WyeValley and #ForestofDean Tourism Association is gearing up to welcome the tens of thousands of visitors who are expected to be in the region for the #RugbyWorldCup tournament.

Situated between the match-hosting cities of Cardiff and Gloucester, the area makes an ideal base for ticket holders as well as those travelling to soak up the atmosphere in the many award-winning pubs. The Scotland and US squads will be based at Gloucestershire’s Hartpury College throughout the tournament.

To help rugby fans plan their trip and make the most of their time in between matches, the tourism association has a launched a dedicated landing page – www.wyedeantourism.co.uk/rwc – which is continually updated.

With Cardiff and Kingsholm hosting a combined 12 matches with a total of 592, 00 tickets, the region expects an increase in bookings as people look outside of the host cities for accommodation and activities.

Ian Officer, chairman of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism Association, said: ‘The Rugby World Cup is the region’s biggest-ever tourism event. We want fans to drop-kick in, try our activities, experience our compelling heritage, and indulge in our amazing food and drink producers.’

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Picture Credit: "A4136 enters the Forest of Dean - geograph.org.uk - 598607" by Pauline Eccles. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons