Set in a gentle valley, the centre of the village is dominated by a 14th century stone cross. Clearwell lies within a Conservation Area and there are many fine buildings in the village. Notable among these buildings are Clearwell Castle and the Church of St. Peter. Clearwell’s history can be traced back to Roman times and evidence of early iron workings can be seen at Clearwell Caves, an award winning mining museum. Tourist attractions within a mile include Clearwell Caves, Perrygrove railway, and Puzzlewood.
The village hosts Good Pub Guide pubs and restaurants. The Lamb, 100 yds from the cottage, has real ales straight from the barrel. At the cross, the Clear Well serves good food in front of the impressive large fireplace. Opposite, the Tudor Farmhouse Hotel features a romantic candlelit restaurant, ideal for that special occasion. Next door is the Butchers Arms, an inn with a large range of facilities including a fine restaurant. Children are welcome in all the hostelries in the village. Dominating the village is Clearwell Castle, built for the Wyndham family in 1727 on the site of a Tudor manor and is a fine early example of Gothic revival architecture. It was England’s first neo-gothic mansion.
Coleford offers usual facilities including various Shops selling local produce, a Post Office, Banks, chemist, Supermarkets, a Cinema and petrol station. Along the valley brook to the west of Clearwell is the charming medieval village of Newland where the ‘Cathedral of the Forest’ crowns the hillside. The Ostrich pub here is a fine eatery described in the Good Pub Guide.
Many places of interest are easily accessible with Tintern Abbey (6 miles); Monmouth 8 miles, Chepstow and racecourse(10 miles); Symonds Yat (10 min drive) and Hereford, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bath, Worcester, The Malverns and South Wales all within an hours drive.
Foxglove Cottage 