The Freeminer and The Pottery Queen

Beneath the Forest of Dean lies history, colour and creativity – from centuries-old mines to a home filled with art and light.

In this episode of Great Escapes, Isy Suttie and Dan Skinner head deep into the Forest of Dean – a landscape of legends, light and remarkable contrasts.

Dan ventures underground at Clearwell Caves, swapping daylight for headtorches and hard hats to experience the life of the freeminers who once worked beneath the forest floor. With Jonathan Wright as his guide – whose family has worked these seams for centuries – he learns it’s more than a trade; it’s a calling handed down through generations.

Meanwhile, Isy finds herself in a very different world – the vibrant home and studio of ceramic artist Mary Rose Young. Surrounded by rainbow-coloured teapots, chandeliers and wall-to-wall creativity, she discovers how art, colour and a little eccentricity can brighten even the darkest day.

Together, their adventures reveal two sides of the same forest – one grounded in grit and history, the other bursting with imagination and light. Proof that the Forest of Dean isn’t just a place to visit, but a place that stays with you.

We’re pleased to be supported by Great Western Railway. Adventures start here.