Matt

there were maps in a previous iteration of this site to show the division ( at a point in time) https://forest-of-dean.net/joomla/index.php/resources/11-maps/89-early-map-of-the-paris...

The Forest of Dean was an extra-parochial area in the St Briavels Hundred of Gloucestershire. It was without the usual parish structure until the West Dean and East Dean townships were formed in 1844.

For poor relief, East Dean was grouped into the Westbury-on-Severn Poor Law Union and was included in the Westbury-on-Severn rural sanitary district.

In 1935 a new civil parish of Lydbrook was created from part of its area.
The civil parish was abolished in 1953 and split to create the new parishes of Cinderford, Drybrook and Ruspidge. Part of the former area was transferred to the existing parishes of Awre, Littledean and Mitcheldean.

For poor relief, West Dean was grouped into the Monmouth Poor Law Union and was included in the Monmouth rural sanitary district.

West Dean is the largest civil parish in the Forest of Dean, both in respect of its population and its geographical size.

At the 2001 census there were 10,305 people living in West Dean parish, more than in any of the Forest towns. The size of the parish is a considerable 11,579 acres and stretches from Berry Hill and Christchurch in the north to Bream in the south and from Sling in the west to Viney Hill in the east.

Villages in the civil parish of West Dean
Berry Hill, including Christchurch, Five Acres, Joyford, and Shortstanding
Edge End
Ellwood
Sling
Clements End
Little Drybrook
Bream
Brockhollands
Yorkley
Pillowell
Oldcroft
Viney Hill
Parkend
Whitecroft