Forest of Dean

Villages Of The Forest of Dean

Longhope

After several weeks of lockdown blues caused mainly by a prolonged spell of bad weather, On a wonderfully sunny day I visited this small village. Longhope has been in existence since before the invasion of the Normans in 1066 and has a rich history. The village was inhabited by the 11th century and the manor of Hope is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The village parish church, dedicated to All Saints, dates back to Norman times. Opposite the church, Court Leet was once the local court with the adjacent half timbered cottage being the gaol. Another house of historic interest is Royal Spring, where Charles I is said to have stopped for refreshment in 1642 after the Battle of Powick Bridge during the English Civil War. *
Longhope station opened in 1855 with the line it was located on, being the Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway (part of the Great Western Railway) linking Ross-on-Wye and Grange Court and thence to Gloucester. Longhope station was used in season to export locally produced jam and fruit grown locally. The station had a passing loop on what was a single track. The station has been demolished but the waiting room still remains.

As with most of the villages I have visited so far, the people I encountered during my two hour walkabout were very friendly and I sensed the village has a true sense of community and therefore a lovely place to live.

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INFORMATION COURTESY OF: *Wikipedia *