WELCOME TO GREEN BOTTOM

              and Tibbs Cross

Our tiny hamlets, nestled in the valley the Romans named                                                                                                         …… The Vale of Castiard.

The remains of their fort, perched high, governing the Severn Ports, are a mile away at Littledean.  Closer to home, above us, are the earth work remains of an early Anglo-Saxon fort at Welshbury.

The Cistercians built a substantial Abbey at Flaxley, a mile downstream and brought wealth and welfare with them.  The valley filled with mills, back up to the point at which the stream erupts from the hillside, crystal clear and chillingly cold.  The monks built “St. Anthony’s Well” at this point and it has served unfailingly over the centuries.  The “road” into the forest rose at this time over Welshbury and is marked by old Yew.   The valley, full of mill ponds, was impassable except by foot.

The dissolution of the monasteries, brought the arrival of families with influence and wealth, providing expansion, industry and work.  The “forest” and all belonged to the King.  The deer herds, managed by Verderers and Charcoal Makers, moved throughout.   The earliest iron foundry remains in the Forest is at Gunns Mill, using charcoal.  The houses built in the area used the local stone quarried in Green Bottom and further south up the valley.

So we reach the point where archivists and families can begin to add their personal knowledge and information to this idyllic spot.

We hope you enjoy sharing it with us and perhaps you may like to add to it!

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