Drybrook

Drybrook is a small village situated just north of Cinderford, in what was once part of the Royal Hunting Forest. Drybrook was once on the old rooute from Gloucester to Monmouth, via Mitcheldean and Ruardean, but with the development of the Forest in the early 1700's this road, although still present, fell out of general use. Like many of the Forest villages, it grew as the local resources of coal and stone were extracted, and the village developed southwards into the area known as Harrow Hill (or Harry Hill as the locals still call it). The old Royal Hunting Forest was outside the jurisdiction of the Church, and until 1817 this area was known as East Dean. The first of the "modern" churches of Dean was built here in 1817, at the south end of the village at Harrow Hill. In the mid 1800's Drybrook was served by its own small railway station, and although this was railway was subsequently closed, its route can still be clearly seen.

Tourist Information

The Mechanical Organ Museum, situated at the north end of the village, on the road to Lea and Ross-on-Wye. Tourist Information Centre (Forest of Dean District Council)

Nearest Bank

The nearest banks are at Cinderford and Mitcheldean

Shops

There is a small shop in the village, including a post office. The main local shopping centre is at Cinderford

Local Schools

Drybrook County Primary School (phone: 01594 542448) The local secondary school is Dene Magnaat Mitcheldean.

Local Library

under preparation, details to follow shortly Forest of Dean Towns and Villages Copyright 1996 Forest WebPage design by Forest WebLast update 6 Jul 1999Forest Web Home Page Coleford is a thriving community and the administrative centre.

Churches

Holy Trinity - Harrow Hill, Near Drybrook This church is known locally as the Forest church. It was built in 1817 under the personal supervision of Henry Birkin, it's first minister. It is built of roughly coursed stone, with ashlar dressings and features a wide nave, short chancel and north and south porches. One of the three original galleries now remains. The church unusually has eight tubular bells installed as a memorial to the dead of World War I.

Old Church Records - for family historians

Holy Trinity Drybrook web page