Moss-covered rocks in Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England

Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England

What if a forest could keep you guessing at every turn? At Puzzlewood, near Coleford in the Forest of Dean, England, winding paths lead through twisted trees, moss-covered rocks and deep stone ravines. Its unusual rock formations, known as scowles, are natural geological features that were exposed and modified over time and later exploited for iron ore mining during the Roman period and possibly earlier. In 1848, a worker discovered more than 3,000 Roman-era coins hidden in earthenware jars inside a rock cavity, turning the woodland into a real-life treasure hunt.

Around 2.4 kilometres of paths, wooden bridges and stone walkways guide visitors through the rugged landscape. Puzzlewood has also starred on screen, appearing in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' 'Doctor Who,' 'Merlin' and 'Cursed.' Local lore links its gnarled trees and mysterious atmosphere to J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth forests, although there is no definitive proof.