The arden is an area of wooded land in England. It is located next to Stratford-upon-Avon in the county of Warwick. It is also known as the Forest of Arden, and its name is derived from an ancient Brythonic word ardu- “high” or “highland”.
There are several towns in this area, including Henley-in-Arden, Tanworth-in-Arden, and Hampton-in-Arden. It is also the name of a few villages in Scotland, and is sometimes credited as the name of a forest in Shakespeare’s play As You Like It.
During the Roman period, the area was known as the Forest of Arden, and was thickly forested. It was bounded by a Roman road called Icknield Street and by a salt track that led from Droitwich. It was the site of many former Iron Age hill forts, as well as several Roman forts and Anglo-Saxon settlements.
It was the scene of much battle and war throughout the ages, and has a significant historical importance to Britain. In particular, Robert Catesby, the leader of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, was a native of Lapworth in Arden.
The Forest of Arden is a protected area, and no new roads are allowed to be built within its boundaries. However, it is possible to walk around the forest’s edges, and this can be a good way of seeing it.
There is also a medieval era wayside cross called the Coughton cross at the southern end of the forest, which has been identified as a place where people would pray before entering the forest. This cross is owned by the National Trust and is situated near a modern junction of Icknield Street and the salt track that passes through it.
Another important archaeological feature of the arden is the distinctive Arden Sandstone, a Triassic white heterolithic sandstone that is quarried from the area and features prominently in buildings in villages such as Temple Balsall and Knowle. This sandstone is unique in that it contains calcium carbonate (‘lime’), which forms when the sandstone was formed in water. The sandstone is also highly porous, allowing air and moisture to enter the stone, making it ideal for use in buildings.
Tourism is a major source of income for the region. It has a large number of hotels and other tourist-related businesses.
The forest is also a popular recreation and leisure destination. It is a popular location for camping and hiking, especially in the summer.
There are also a number of local festivals held annually in the arden. These include the famous Forest of Arden Race and the annual Agricultural Fair.