LYDNEY is a parish, post town and sea port, of the port of Gloucester, in the union and county court district of Chepstow, hundred of Bledisloe, situated on the high road from Gloucester to Chepstow and South Wales, 123 miles w. by n. from London (134 by rail), 20 miles s.w. by w. from Gloucester , 9 miles from Chepstow, and about 1 mile from the Severn, to which it is united by a canal, which is navigable for vessels of light burden. It is also situated on the borders of the FOREST OF DEAN, which pours a large quantity of its valuable produce into this little but increasing port, by means of the Severn and Wye tram road, which is connected with the Wye, and traverses the forest through one of the most prolific mine tracts in the country, terminating at Lydney Basin, which receives vessels of 400 tons burden. The width of the outer harbour is 25 feet. The staple exports are coals, iron ore, timber, bark, iron and tin plate, and a superior kind of stone. The works of Major Allaway are very extensive, and contribute much to the prosperity of the place. There is also a station on the South Wales line, about 1/2 mile e. of the town. Petty sessions are held at the Feathers Inn every four weeks. The parish church of St. Mary is a large structure, in the early English style of architecture, with a square tower and a lofty spire. The living is a vicarage, with the chapels of Ailburton and St. Briavel's annexed, in the gift of the dean and chapter of Hereford. At Lydney Park, the residence of the Rev. W, H., Bathurst, M. A., are the remains of a Roman villa, two camps, and a Roman bath, in good preservation. There are also places of worship for Baptists, Primitive Methodists and Wesleyans, and a literary institute and national school. Fairs are held May 4th and November 8th. Population in 1861, 2,285.

AILBURTON is a village and tithing, in the parish of Lydney, 1 mile s.w. therefrom. The church, an ancient building, was pulled down and rebuilt on its present site in 1857, and corresponds in every respect to its former appearance, being re-erected with all the old materials it was possible to use, at the expense of the late C. Bathurst, Esq. Population in 1861, 604.

ALVINGTON is a village and parish, situated on the high road from Lydney to Chepstow, and on the western bank of the river Severn, distant two and a half miles from the former, and six and a half n.e. from the latter, in the same hundred union and county-court district of Lydney. The church of St. Andrew's, an ancient building, was restored some years ago; It has a square embattled tower, with five bells. The living is a vicarage annexed to Woolaston, in the gift of the Duke of Beaufort. About one and a half miles from the village is Clanna Falls, the seat of Colonel Edward A. Noel, J. P., who is also lord of the manor. There is a parochial school for children of both sexes. Population in 1861, 369.

BREAM is a village and chapelry, annexed to the vicarage of Newland, 4 miles from Lydney, its post town., four and a half miles from Coleford, and eight from Monmouth. It is in the parish of Newland, and hundred of St. Briavel's. The church of St. James is a stone edifice, partly rebuilt in 1851. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of the Bishop of Gloucester. There are also places of worship for Primitive Methodists, Wesleyans, and Bible Christians. There is a mechanics' institute and national school for children of both sexes. Population in 1861, 824.

PARKEND is a hamlet, in the township of West Dean, seven miles from Lydney, its post town, and four from Coleford, situated in the ecclesiastical district of St. Paul, Forest of Dean, and hundred of St. Briavel's. The chuurch of St. Paul is a handsome octagonal edifice of stone. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of the bishop of the diocese. There is a place of worship for Baptists, also a cemetary, opened in 1862. In this district there are coal, iron, and tin-plate works. There are also national schools, respectively situated at PARKEND, VINEY, and BLAKENEY WOODSIDE, the two latter, with OLDENCROFT, were constituted a separate ecclesiastical district in 1866. The church of All Saints is a stone edifice. The living is in the gift of the Rev. W. H. Bathurst, M. A., of Lydney Park.

WOOLASTON is a parish and village, four miles from Lydney, its post town, five n.e. from and in th union and county court district of Chepstow (Monmouthshire) and hundred of Westbury, situated on the western bank of the river Severn, and on the South Wales Railway, the station being about three quarters of a mile from the village. The Duke of Beaufort is lord of the manor. The church of St. Andrew is an old Norman edifice, restored in 1859. The living is a vicarage, with the parish of Alvington annexed. There is also a national school. HIGH WOOLASTON is a hamlet, forming part of the parish. Population in 1861, 970.

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