Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Puzzlewood is a 14-acre ancient, fairytale-like woodland situated in the Forest of Dean near Coleford in Gloucestershire, England. Famed for its bizarre rock formations (known locally as scowles), moss-covered crags, secret caves, and gnarled, twisting tree roots, it features roughly 1.5 miles of winding, maze-like pathways that feel entirely detached from the modern world. It is also widely believed to have served as a visual inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.
Because of its surreal, storybook atmosphere, Puzzlewood has become one of the UK’s most sought-after natural backdrops for fantasy, sci-fi, and period productions:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015): Used as the lush forest planet of Takodana, where Rey (Daisy Ridley) first encounters Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and wields a lightsaber. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy famously called it "the most magical forest on the face of the earth".
Doctor Who: A recurring location for the sci-fi series, notably appearing in episodes featuring the terrifying Weeping Angels during the tenure of the eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith).
Merlin (BBC Series): Featured across all five series as the magical woods of the Kingdom of Albion, serving as a hideout for Morgana and a habitat for mythical creatures.
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013): Utilised as a primary fantasy backdrop, with Hollywood stars like Ewan McGregor and Nicholas Hoult on location.
The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016): Featured prominently in scenes requiring a dark, ethereal fairytale aesthetic.
Puzzlewood is a 14-acre ancient, fairytale-like woodland situated in the Forest of Dean near Coleford in Gloucestershire, England. Famed for its bizarre rock formations (known locally as scowles), moss-covered crags, secret caves, and gnarled, twisting tree roots, it features roughly 1.5 miles of winding, maze-like pathways that feel entirely detached from the modern world. It is also widely believed to have served as a visual inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.
Because of its surreal, storybook atmosphere, Puzzlewood has become one of the UK’s most sought-after natural backdrops for fantasy, sci-fi, and period productions:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015): Used as the lush forest planet of Takodana, where Rey (Daisy Ridley) first encounters Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and wields a lightsaber. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy famously called it "the most magical forest on the face of the earth".
Doctor Who: A recurring location for the sci-fi series, notably appearing in episodes featuring the terrifying Weeping Angels during the tenure of the eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith).
Merlin (BBC Series): Featured across all five series as the magical woods of the Kingdom of Albion, serving as a hideout for Morgana and a habitat for mythical creatures.
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013): Utilised as a primary fantasy backdrop, with Hollywood stars like Ewan McGregor and Nicholas Hoult on location.
The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016): Featured prominently in scenes requiring a dark, ethereal fairytale aesthetic.
