Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean consists of over a hundred square kilometres of ancient forest located in Gloucestershire, England. Widely regarded for its natural beauty as well as great cultural and historical value, the Forest of Dean is bordered by the Severn and Wye rivers and the city of Gloucester.

Pre-1997
The Forest of Dean once played host to Hermione and her parents during a camping trip for the summer holidays.

1997
A few days after Christmas in 1997, Hermione Granger would return to this location with Harry Potter and would camp in the forest during their Horcrux search, trying to avoid captivity and staying in one place for too long. Hermione and Harry would take it in turns to watch the tent for trouble sharing one wand between them. Whilst there, the forest was snowy, and its lake was frozen.

It was during their stay in the forest that Severus Snape anonymously delivered Godric Gryffindor's Sword to Harry by placing it inside the frozen lake that resides in the forest and using his Patronus, a doe, to guide him to it. As Harry attempted to retrieve the sword from the lake, the locket horcrux around his neck began to strangle him. Fortunately for Harry, Ron Weasley, having previously abandoned his friends, rejoined the group and saved Harry's life. Ron then destroyed the Horcrux, Salazar Slytherin's Locket, with Godric Gryffindor's Sword.

Behind the scenes

 * The Forest of Dean is one of the real-world locations included into the Harry Potter series, others being Tottenham Court Road and King's Cross Station that both magical people and Muggles have access to.
 * The Forest of Dean is located in Gloucestershire, where some parts of the Hogwarts Castle are filmed and also where J. K. Rowling was educated.
 * In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Voldemort's Snatchers search for Harry in this forest.
 * J.K Rowling lived on the southern edge of the Forest at Tutshill from 1974 to 1983 which might have been the influence of her putting the forest in the novel.
 * Also in the film adaptation, of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the Forest of Dean scene is extended with Hermione musing about her past relationship with the place and vainly asking Harry if they should forget about their destinies and just stay in the forest and grow old together.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Notes and references
Forêt de Dean