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Mitcheldean
Mitcheldean is a thriving large village with old timbered houses and narrow streets and a medieval church. Once a centre for the brewing industry. The original brewery now known as The Mews, is now occupied by several local businesses. On the edge of the village is a large business park which includes Xerox , one of the largest employers in the Forest of Dean.
Piciture - a colour tinted postcard of the village taken about 1907
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 Starting
life as Dene Magna, Mitcheldean originated as a small
hamlet at a major crossroads. First recorded in Saxon
Times, by the 13th century Mitcheldean had grown in to
a large village that was a centre of industries based
on the products of the Forest, thanks to its proximity
to the Iron Ore outcrops at nearby Wigpool. As well as
having an iron works, the village was a producer of cloth
and leather, by 1328 it had a market and a wealth of tradesmen
including tailors, leather-makers and shop keepers (the
first known shop in Dean was at Mitcheldean as early as
1366). By the 18th century Mitcheldean's industry had
started to decline and it gradually became known more
as a shopping centre than as an industrial area. After
WW2 however, industry returned to the town when Rank Precision
Industries established a factory (where my Dad came to
work in 1961) which subsequently become Rank Xerox ( "the
Lazy R"), a world famous manufacturer of photocopiers.
As well as creating valuable jobs it has been largely
responsible for increased residential development, but
in recent years, this industry has been hit by recession
and is now only a shadow of its former self.
The wealth that was generated by the towns industries
and retail concerns shows in the buildings, such as
the early 18th century Town Hall, 17th century George
Inn and half timbered Mill End Street cottages, but
the most distinguished building is the Church of St
Michael. This was built in the 14th century, but in
1460, an outer aisle was added to the nave which helped
make it one o the widest churches in the country. It
was restored by Henry Woodyer in 1853 but retains much
of its early character.
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Tourist Information
Harts
Barn Craft Centre - on the main road to the north
of the village, a collection of small craft units well
worth a visit.
Excellent walks in the area, especially in the Forest
above the village, and the Wilderness Centre, with commanding
views over the Severn Valley to the Cotswolds.
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Accommodation
 Gunn
Mill House - Guest House
Swallows
Leat, Flaxley - self catering
The
Granary, Abenhall. - self catering
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Shops
details to be added soon
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Local Schools
Dene Magna Community SchoolMitcheldean Primary School The Wilderness - field study centre
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Churches
St Michael's The church of St Michael is remarkable for being very wide, consisting of nave, north aisle, outer north aisle and south aisle and tower which were built variously between the 13th and 15th century. The chancel and vestry were remodelled in the 19th century. The large tower and steeple conspire to dominate the town. Inside the church, above the sanctuary screen there is a 15th century painting depicting the Last Judgement'. There is also an enormous modern (1911) reredos with life sized white marble figures illustrating the text 'Come unto me'. Mitcheldean Christian Fellowship
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