The Doward

The Doward is located in the far south of Herefordshire, just across the border from Wales. In 1854, the district was reported to be of 254 acres. Little Doward is located about from Monmouth, just to the southeast of Ganarew and just to the west of Symonds Yat. The River Wye flows through the area forming the eastern and southern boundary of the area, and the A40 road forming its western boundary. It is heavily forested with several cave formations. The landscape is mountainous common, sprinkled with rock outcrops. The Great Doward area is marked by "extensive stratified limestone mountains" and the Great Doward Hill is said to contain "large deposits of rich iron-ore of a peculiar quality". A lane in the area is called Black Stone Kiln's Lane, indicating historical economic activity here. The woodland is part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and is protected by the Herefordshire Nature Trust. ==Landmarks==

King Arthur's Cave King Arthur's Cave was occupied by man during the Upper Palaeolithic era. In 1871 the caves were excavated by Reverend W. S. Symond. Hillfort Little Doward hosts a British hillfort which seems to have been refortified in the post-Roman era. Ford tentatively identified it with the Cair Guorthigirn ("Fort Vortigern") listed by Nennius among the 28 cities of Britain in his History of the Britains. Wyastone Leys Wyastone Leys, formerly Lays House, is located at the southwestern corner of The Doward. In the woodland of Little Doward Hill above the house, the Forestry Commission planted, in 1953, a pattern of trees with contrasting foliage in the shape of the letters ER, to mark the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Other The Doward also contains several cottages. The camp has traces of three circular terraces winding in a snail mount. The Vikings once escaped via the precipice near the camp. Vaga Cottage is also of note and was home to the local reverend in the early 19th century. ==Gallery==

File:Monmouth from Little Doward-1.jpg|View of Monmouth from Little Doward in autumn File:Cottage overlooking the River Wye - geograph.org.uk - 734318.jpg|A house in the southern part of The Doward File:Doward_viewed_from_Llangrove_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1207124_(cropped).jpg|The wooded hill at Doward viewed from a footpath near Llangrove File:Wooded_slopes_of_Little_Doward_-_geograph.org.uk_-_755286.jpg|Wooded slopes of Little Doward File:Doward_Farm_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1203815.jpg|Doward Farm viewed from the south File:Farm_track_with_view_of_Little_Doward_-_geograph.org.uk_-_757864.jpg|Farm track with a view of Little Doward From the Llangrove road File:Little_Doward_trig_point_-_geograph.org.uk_-_249930.jpg|Little Doward trig point File:Welcome_sign_in_Little_Doward_woods_-_geograph.org.uk_-_797628.jpg|Welcome sign in Little Doward woods File:Trees_on_the_banks_of_the_River_Wye_-_geograph.org.uk_-_734027.jpg|Trees on the banks of the River Wye below Little Doward File:The_River_Wye_-_geograph.org.uk_-_734006.jpg|The River Wye below Little Doward File:View_south_from_Llangrove_-_geograph.org.uk_-_757869.jpg|A public footpath cuts through farmland towards Little Doward ==References==