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About Us

We are an accredited museum. Our goal is to preserve the Forest of Dean's heritage through stories and artefacts. We want to create an exciting, interactive centre. We also care for valuable items to ensure they benefit future generations. This way, we secure a lasting legacy and protect our collection. 

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The Dean Heritage Museum Trust is a registered charity. It relies on income generated from visitors and donations. If you can help the centre and keep our local history alive, please donate by clicking the button below.

Our History

Camp Mill has a history of almost 400 years, starting with King James I. The brook in Soudley Valley made this possible. This brook powered waterwheels for machines.  

Over the years, people have used the site for at least six different purposes. There are few written records showing the industries and buildings on the site. But, it is possible to piece together a brief history from records, maps, and plans. 

  

Iron Forge 1612–1674

Between 1612 and 1674, researchers believe that an iron forge operated on the site. King James I ordered the building of many iron forges during this time. He controlled the mining rights in the Royal Forest of Dean. During this time, the Forest of Dean was the main iron-producing area in England.  

  

Iron Foundry 1823–1876

In the 19th century, industries in the Forest of Dean grew a lot. Coal and iron mining were especially important. In 1823, Samuel Hewlett set up an iron foundry on the site to make products needed by these new industries. You can find examples in our museum, such as rails, wheels, and mileposts for horse-drawn trams. There's also the Lightmoor beam engine.  

  

Corn Mill 1876-1888

In the 19th century, the population grew as people moved to the Forest of Dean for new jobs. In 1876, they converted the foundry buildings at Camp Mill into a corn mill. Builders constructed corn mills near streams in the Forest of Dean. They used waterwheels to power machines that ground wheat into flour for bread. The miller at Camp Mill was a man from Cinderford called Edmund Lane.   

  

Leather Board Factory 1888–1908

In 1888, John Mason leased the buildings. He turned the mill into a facility for making leather board. Craftsmen used this leather board for inner soles and heel stiffeners in boots and shoes. Manufacturers made leather board from waste leather, paper, and rags. These materials turn into pulp when mixed with hot water and ground with beaters. The leather board factory shut down in 1908 because it had trouble getting raw materials.   

  

Sawmill 1922-1952  

In 1912, James Joiner converted the site into a sawmill. It produced timber for making railway wagons and sleepers. There were about ten sawmills operating at this time in the Forest of Dean. In 1925, a water-driven turbine and a steam engine replaced the two waterwheels. Later, they replaced these with two 150-horsepower diesel engines. You can still see the turbine in the pit between the mill building and the waterwheel.  

  

Scrap Metal Yard 1960–1981

The owners used the site as a scrap metal yard for about twenty years until they relocated it to a different site. They had filled in the pond, but the mill building and cottages still remained.  

  

The Dean Heritage Centre 1983–Present Day

The Dean Heritage Museum Trust manages the Dean Heritage Centre. This charity was set up in 1979 due to public worry that the Forest of Dean's heritage was fading at an alarming rate. In 1981, the Trust got its site at Camp Mill. With help from local donations, it opened a museum to the public in 1983. 

Our Aim

Our aim for the future is to preserve the heritage of the Forest of Dean by - 

  • Creating an exciting, interactive Centre to bring it back to life

  • Developing engaging exhibitions, displays, research, outreach and loan box programmes for visitors, students and lifelong learners alike

  • Acquiring important new collection items, preserving our shared cultural heritage

  • Looking after precious items for future generations  in order to secure a lasting legacy and safeguard our collection for future benefit

  • Providing access to our collections and the opportunity to research with our Research Room and new digital technologies.

Want to get involved?​

Volunteers

 

There are many ways you can get involved with the Dean Heritage Centre, including our brilliant volunteer programme. Volunteers are an integral part of the Centre team and we value the year round support from everyone to helps us. 

 

If you are interested in becoming part of our team, we’d love to hear from you.

Call us on 01594 822170 or email to discuss further.

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Trustees

The Dean Heritage Museum Trust has a board of trustees who oversee the strategy and direction of the organisation. If you are interested in finding out more or becoming a trustee visit our Job Vacancies page or contact Iain Baird, Chair of Trustees via email.

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Other ways you can support us

  • Visit Dean Heritage Centre with family and friends.

  • Buy a Season Ticket 

  • Make a one-off or regular donation. 

  • Running a fundraiser 

  • Leaving a legacy 

Museum and Gift Shop

Open Every Day 10:00 - 16:00

Heritage Coffee Shop

Open Every Day 10:00 - 16:00

Dean Heritage Centre, Camp Mill, Soudley, GL14 2UB​

01594 822170​

Dean Heritage Centre, Camp Mill, Soudley, GL14 2UB

Charity No. 298647 

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