235 



old Forest scenery; then descending from the ridge into the 

 valley at Sowdley there is one of those contrasts of scenery and 

 association so characteristic of the Forest of Dean ; the quiet 

 glades, where the cry of the wood-pecker, of the jay, or of other 

 birds which shun the company of man, have been almost the 

 only sounds heard, are suddenly exchanged for all the sights 

 and sounds connected with iron furnaces, mills, cottages, and 

 railways. 



The Camp at Sowdley Green is at the termination of a low 

 ridge marked on the Ordnance Map " Scilly Point," its situation 

 is very picturesque, the little river is there dammed up, and 

 forms a shallow pool, from its side rises a steep rock, on which 

 this Camp is perched, a fine old yew tree growing on the edge 

 of the rock and within the ramparts, adds to the effect. The 

 defences of this Camp are irregular, the south side of the rock 

 being so steep that no defence was needed, on the east side only 

 a slight mound two feet high was raised, but on the other sides, 

 where the adjoining ground is nearly level, there is a ditch and 

 mound, forming a strong defence, with a slope of 14 feet from 

 the ditch to' the top of the mound. There is a well marked 

 entrance to the enclosed area, which area is only 32 yards in 

 diameter. 



No. 69. — At Stow Green, three miles south of Coleford, there 

 is a small circular Camp, locally known as " Castle Tump ;" it 

 is at the termination of a projecting spur of Bearse Common, 

 and is but slightly above the shallow valleys which run round it 

 on three sides, (see Plate IV, fig. 44.) It is defended by a strong 

 mound of stones, in one part still eight feet high on the inside 

 and 10 feet high on the outside, where there is a slight ditch. 

 There is an entrance from the level land on the south. The 

 area enclosed is 35 yards in diameter. A portion of this Camp 

 having been quarried away for limestone, and the enclosing 

 mound broken down in places, and with old ash trees, polled 

 and knarled, growing out of its ruined defences, the whole has 

 a drear and desolate aspect. 



No. 70. — In Lydney Park, at the termination of a spur of the 

 hills, there is a small circular Camp, enclosing about a quarter 



