Huntley (meaning Huntsman's clearing) is mentioned in the
Domesday Book as Huntelei. The village was the scene of fighting during the
English Civil War. In 1643 the
Royalists took the
parliamentary garrison, but they were betrayed and in 1644 the parliamentarians regained control. The
roads to
Mitcheldean (now the
A4136) and
Ross-on-Wye were turnpiked in 1726 and the
Toll house, which was built c1830 stood at their junction. This Toll house, that operated where the
Longhope Road joins the
Ross Road, was of sufficient importance to be replaced by a new one in 1881 and the house still stands.
William Cobbett wrote that, during one of his
Rural Rides through England in September 1826, he wanted to spend the night in
Gloucester, but arrived there at the time of the
Three Choirs Festival. As rooms were so expensive, he had to continue to the coaching inn at Huntley. The
common, part of which is now the recreation ground and
allotments, was enclosed in 1857 and in 1872 most of the remaining common land on Huntley Hill was also enclosed. The village
stocks were originally situated on the main road. They were re-sited on the recreation ground in the early 1970s. They are believed to be the only remaining set in the
Forest of Dean. The village was the home of the Forest of Dean chronicler
Winifred Foley and her husband Sydney until the mid-1970s. Two miles north-west lie the earthwork remains of
Taynton Castle, a ring motte of C11-C12 date. ==Football==