Hewelsfield is situated approximately 8 Kilometres south of Coleford on the upland plateau which borders the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Hewelsfield comprises a very small accumulation of dwellings loosely gathered around a most imposing Church which provides the focus for the settlement. The overall grouping of buildings provides a most attractive built environment, which is a designated Conservation Area. Hewelsfield is set within the Special Landscape Area of the Plan.

There are fewer than 20 dwellings in and adjacent to the Conservation Area, with an estimated population of 40.

Hewelsfield is just two miles from the beautiful Wye Valley, within very easy reach of Brockwier and Tintern with its impressive Abbey remains. 

St. Mary Magdalene, Hewelsfield, is a very unusual church built on Saxon foundations, situated within a circular churchyard which contains a 1300 year old yew tree.

The basic structure is shielded by a long stone roof which extends from the ridge of the Norman nave to within a few feet of the ground.

The squat tower has six bells, one of which is the oldest ringable bell in the Forest of Dean dated to 1450. The entrance porch has a hermits room and has a primitive sundial. The upper part of the twoer has been rebuilt.