Edge End is a small

hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play. Set in Denmark, the play (the ...

in west

Gloucestershire Gloucestershire ( , ; abbreviated Glos.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by Herefordshire to the north-west, Worcestershire to the north, Warwickshire to the north-east, Oxfordshire ...

, England.

Location and amenities

Edge End is about 1.5 miles NW of Coleford and about 1 mile north of the

Royal Forest of Dean The Forest of Dean is a geographical, historical and cultural region in the western part of the county of Gloucestershire, England. It forms a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and northwest, Herefordshire to the ...

College. Originally close to some mine workings, all of which have now closed, the hamlet consists of 62 private dwellings, with no pubs, shops or schools (the one village shop closed some time ago and is now a

bed and breakfast A bed and breakfast (typically shortened to B&B or BnB) is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast. In addition, a B&B sometimes has the hosts living in the house. ''Bed and breakfast'' is also used to ...

establishment). The village is effectively split in half by the recreation ground, which is co-owned by the residents and is maintained by contributions. On the rec there are football goals and a children's obstacle course. The rec also hosts an annual bonfire night with fireworks as well as events through the summer. On the 8th May 2023 it will host a party to celebrate the coronation of Charles III. Within the village live a mix of "Foresters", the original inhabitants, many of whom can trace their family lineage back through the village's history, and incomers from further afield which has increased in recent years. The community has a nice balance and there is a sense of community spirit evident here, with neighbours helping each other. Edge End compared to other areas of the Forest of Dean is more affluent which is reflected in its house prices. From the rec, perched 600 ft above sea level, on a fine day you can see north for up to 50 miles or so into

Shropshire Shropshire (; abbreviated SalopAlso used officially as the name of the county from 1974–1980. The demonym for inhabitants of the county "Salopian" derives from this name.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the West M ...

, whilst the counties of Gloucestershire,

Herefordshire Herefordshire ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the West Midlands (region), West Midlands of England, bordered by Shropshire to the north, Worcestershire to the east, Gloucestershire to the south-east, and the Welsh ...

Monmouthshire Monmouthshire ( ; ) is a Principal areas of Wales, county in the South East Wales, south east of Wales. It borders Powys to the north; the English counties of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire to the north and east; the Severn Estuary to the s ...

Worcestershire Worcestershire ( , ; written abbreviation: Worcs) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the West Midlands (region), West Midlands of England. It is bordered by Shropshire, Staffordshire, and the West Midlands (county), West ...

and the

Brecon Beacons The Brecon Beacons (; ) are a mountain range in Wales. The range includes South Wales's highest mountain, Pen y Fan (), its twin summit Corn Du (), and Craig Gwaun Taf (), which are the three highest peaks in the range. The Brecon Beacons ha ...

are also visible. The hillside drops away to some farming communities, whilst the eastern edge of the hamlet is bounded by the main

Monmouth Monmouth ( or ; ) is a market town and community (Wales), community in Monmouthshire, Wales, situated on where the River Monnow joins the River Wye, from the Wales–England border. The population in the 2011 census was 10,508, rising from 8 ...

Gloucester Gloucester ( ) is a cathedral city, non-metropolitan district and the county town of Gloucestershire in the South West England, South West of England. Gloucester lies on the River Severn, between the Cotswolds to the east and the Forest of Dean ...

road and the start of the Forest of Dean proper. Edge End represents an excellent starting point for many local walks.

History

A small book is available (from the local bookshop in Coleford) which documents the histories of the families that have lived in Edge End since the 19th century. It was printed in 1993, based mainly on the recollections of the then elderly inhabitants of the village, most of whom have now died.

References

External links

Hamlets in Gloucestershire Forest of Dean {{Gloucestershire-geo-stub