1. Families

Family Friendly

Forest of Dean and Wye Valley

Looking for a destination where the whole family can relax, explore, and have fun together? The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is packed with family-friendly experiences, places to stay, and things to do - making it the perfect spot for a short break or full-on holiday with kids in tow.

From easy walking trails and the best picnic spots to adventure playgrounds, wildlife encounters, and activity centres, there’s something here for every age and energy level. Whether you’re cycling the family Colliers Trail, paddling on the River Wye, or simply spotting birds and boar in the woods, the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is a natural playground that invites curious minds and active feet.

In this section, you’ll find family-friendly accommodation, cafés and pubs with kids’ menus, and attractions and experiences designed to make everyone feel welcome. Rain or shine, there’s always something to do and always room for a snack stop.

Browse below to plan your next family adventure in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley - where memories are made around every corner.

Families Businesses

Forest Barns Farm frontage

Prices from:
£543.00

Families | Groups | Accessible | Dogs

Forest Barns

5 Luxury Cottages in Private Hamlet | Book One or All | Hot Tubs & Log Fires | Civil Cermony Inside…

Cannop Ponds and bridge
Dogs | Families | Nature | Relaxation

Cannop Ponds

Picturesque ponds, home to lots of wildlife. Great picnic area and central for walks and cycle…

Elton Giant Mazes - Bird of Paradise Maize Maze aerial view 2025
Families | Groups | Dogs | Adventure | Nature | Accessible

Elton Giant Mazes and Activities Maze

3 Giant maize mazes with two 40 question quizzes. Activities Maze with over 20 activities to…

Vdw drysladefarm 1 1249538689

Relaxed and friendly hospitality on a working farm near Symonds Yat and the Forest of Dean, ideal…

Vdw rookerycottage 1 696152749

Prices from:
£220.00

Dogs | Families

The Rookery Cottage

Comfy well equipped cottage adjacent to our coach house conversion, by a babbling brook in the…

Ardens Barn self-catering cottage in the Forest of Dean
Dogs | Families | Groups

Arden's Farm

Ardens Farm is a three storey Grade II listed farmhouse, complete with everything you need to…

Rachel Shilston

Relax, learn a new skill and create a memory of your stay in the Forest of Dean to treasure…

Symonds Yat Rock Viewpoint
Dogs | Families | Nature | Accessible

Symonds Yat Rock

Internationally renowned viewpoint with fantastic views over the Wye Valley. A car park, cafe and…

Leaf Creative Garden Centre Evening Event
Dogs | Families | Nature | Accessible | Foodies

Leaf Creative

Leaf Creative is the place to go to find fabulous & unusual plant specimens that can inject instant…

Forest Deli Hampers and Gifts
Families | Groups | Foodies

Forest Deli Hampers & Gifts

Choose from one of our Forest Deli gift selections or make your own food gift completely personal…

DBC Leisure Clay Pigeon Shooting
Adventure | Families | Groups

DBC Leisure

Clay shooting, air rifle, archery tuition with friendly, experienced instructors; beginners,…

Harts Barn Cookery School Group
Foodies | Accessible | Families | Dogs | Groups | Relaxation

Harts Barn Cookery School

Cookery experiences for all. Holiday activities, parties, fire cooking, world cookery and many…

Clearwell Caves Lamproom Cafe

The Lamproom Cafe sits above ground and is the only marker for adventures taking place below. With…

Puzzlewood Cottages Bedroom

Stay on site at the popular attraction Puzzlewood and enjoy unlimited access to the woods outside…

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Families | Adventure | Groups | History

Dean Forest Railway

Journey through the medieval Forest of Dean from Lydney to Parkend on a steam train or heritage…

Greenacres Campsite

Prices from:
£19.00

Families | Dogs | Groups

Greenacres Campsite

Greenacres is a peaceful, family-run campsite near Coleford with space for tents, campervans, and…

Families Events

Select a Timeframe:

Date From:

Date To:

RICH 8738
Families | Groups | Nature | Relaxation

Forest of Dean Evening Wildlife Safari in spring

Dates:
24th Feb 2026 - 31st Dec 2026

Next Event Date:
25th Apr 2026

Forest of Dean Evening Wildlife Safari in spring

Great tit
Adventure | Families | Nature | Relaxation

Spring and Summer Forest of Dean Guided Wildlife…

Dates:
24th Feb 2026 - 31st Dec 2026

Next Event Date:
24th Apr 2026

Spring and Summer Forest of Dean Guided Wildlife Safari (daytime)

2026 schedule poster
Families | Foodies | Groups | Accessible

Bands in the Park - Sunday Afternoons

Dates:
17th May 2026 - 17th May 2026

Live music every Sunday at the Bandstand in Ross-on-Wye. Free for all to attend!

4 5 graphic
Families | Foodies | Groups | Accessible

Vegan Market

Dates:
14th Jun 2026 - 14th Jun 2026

Market for anyone who loves high-quality street food, artisan bakes, and unique handmade finds.…

Lydney
Families | Foodies | Groups

Proms in the Park

Event Dates:
19th Jul 2026 - 19th Jul 2026

An extended afternoon of free outdoor music at the Bandstand in Ross

View Event
Forest Showcae Food Festival
Dogs | Families | Foodies

Forest Showcase Food Festival

Event Dates:
4th Oct 2026 - 4th Oct 2026

Join the Forest Showcase Food Festival at Speech House Hotel, Oct 5th,…

View Event
Market House and Christmas tree
Families | Foodies

Christmas Fayre

Event Dates:
29th Nov 2026 - 29th Nov 2026

Kick off Christmas shopping by exploring over 80 stalls! Grab some lunch…

View Event
Beechenhurst
Adventure | Families | Nature

Room on the Broom Trail at Beechenhurst

Event Dates:
27th Jan 2026 - 31st Oct 2026

Join Witch and her friends on a spellbinding family adventure through the…

View Event
Big cat exhibition
Families | Groups | Nature

British big cats – the art & the science

Event Dates:
2nd Apr 2026 - 4th May 2026

Exhibition and events featuring British big cat artwork in the gallery, &…

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Day course at Eastnor Pottery
Families | Arts | Relaxation

Potter's Wheel Day Course

Event Dates:
8th Apr 2026 - 5th Dec 2026

Next Event Date:
18th Apr 2026

Spend a full day at the potter's wheel with Eastnor Pottery, Ledbury. Your…

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Hot Pot Pottery
Families | Groups | Arts

Afternoon Tea & Pottery Experience

Event Dates:
9th Apr 2026 - 2nd Jul 2026

Next Event Date:
28th May 2026

Throw your own mugs and tea cups on the potter's wheel, paint pottery…

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Potting tent wheels in action Intro Class
Families | Arts

Potter's Wheel Introduction Class

Event Dates:
10th Apr 2026 - 19th Dec 2026

Next Event Date:
17th Apr 2026

Try your hand at the potter's wheel with a 90-minute introduction class at…

View Event
Beechenhurst March2025 PRINT 111
Families | Nature | Accessible

Accessibility Open Day at Beechenhurst

Event Dates:
18th Apr 2026 - 18th Apr 2026

Come along to Beechenhurst for a free, inclusive day of activities…

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Panther crossing the Lane Amber eye Endymion Beer 1
Families | Groups | Nature

British Big Cat Weekends

Event Dates:
18th Apr 2026 - 19th Apr 2026

This spring, we’re hosting a series of special events, with British Big…

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PWC friends August 23
Families | Arts | Relaxation

Potter's Wheel Weekend Course

Event Dates:
25th Apr 2026 - 28th Nov 2026

Next Event Date:
25th Apr 2026

A two-day potter's wheel course at Eastnor Pottery, Ledbury. Throw, trim…

View Event
Rachel Shilston FUN TOGETHER COASTER GLASSES
Families | Groups | Arts

'Fun Together' Mosaic Taster for Two Workshop

Event Dates:
26th Apr 2026 - 26th Apr 2026

Taster Mosaic Workshop

View Event

Families Offers

Safari tent interior and view at Bracelands Campsite
Adventure | Dogs | Families | Nature | Relaxation

30% off midweek glamping

Expires: 30th Apr 2026

Midweek glamping discount at Bracelands Campsite

Main House Double Room at The Speech House Hotel
Dogs | Families | Foodies | Nature | Relaxation

Stay & Save Offer

Stay more than one night and save on your room rate. Stay two nights for 10% off and three for 15%…

Families Experiences

3

Prices from:
£40.00

Adventure | Families | Groups | Nature | Relaxation

Nightjar Safari in the Forest of Dean

Nightjar Safari in the Forest of Dean

32 Canoe the Wye Family half day web

Prices from:
£35.00

Adventure | Dogs | Families | Groups

Three quarter day canoe trip - Kerne Bridge to…

Three quarter day canoe trip - Kerne Bridge to Symonds Yat

32 Canoe the Wye Family half day web

Prices from:
£35.00

Adventure | Dogs | Families | Groups

Half day canoe trip - Kerne Bridge to Symonds Yat

Half day canoe trip - Kerne Bridge to Symonds Yat

32 Canoe the Wye Family half day web

Prices from:
£35.00

Adventure | Dogs | Families | Groups

1 day canoe trip - Ross-on-Wye to Symonds Yat

1 day canoe trip - Ross-on-Wye to Symonds Yat

Families Itineraries

Accessible Walks through the bluebells in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
Families | Groups | Nature | Relaxation

A 3-Day Spring Itinerary in the Forest of Dean &…

Duration: 3 Days, 2 nights

Nature in Art 1 792263698
Dogs | Families | Groups | Arts | History

An arty long weekend in the Forest of Dean & Wye…

Duration: 4 Days 3 Nights

Lydney Harbour Landmark Stones
Dogs | Families | Groups | Arts | History

An arty mid week break in the Forest of Dean &…

Duration: 5 Days 4 Nights

Families Trails

Biker in Forest credit Steve Hunt 2
Adventure | Families

Downhill Cycling Trails

Ride world-class downhill trails at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre. From flowy blues to…

Family cycling over a bridge in the Forest of Dean photo credit Forestry England
Dogs | Families

Family Cycling & The Colliers Trail

Duration: 2 Hours

Distance 9 Miles

Kids cycling at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre
Adventure | Families | Groups | Nature | Relaxation

Cycling Trails in the Forest of Dean and Wye…

Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just fancy a pootle through peaceful countryside, the Forest…

12 Easy Walks in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
Families | Dogs | Groups | Nature | Relaxation

12 Easy Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Walks

Distance 0.75 - 3 miles

Our latest Families blogs

Mothers Day at Puzzlewood
Adventure

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Post date: 7th March 2026

Find the perfect Mother's Day gift with local experiences, creative days out and unforgettable adventures across the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

Christmas Gift Guide
Adventure

Christmas Gift Guide

Post date: 6th December 2025
Read more

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