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Dig out the picnic basket, get the family together and enjoy some laughs in the great outdoors and of course some sandwiches. The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley has some fantastic picnic spots for you and your family to enjoy this summer, or throughout the year. From forest locations to riverside spots with gorgeous views, and don't forget our farm shops and delis for that all important local produce and many even provide ready made picnic hampers for that extra special treat!
Here are our top five places to have a picnic in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley:
Beechenhurst is the perfect rain or shine picnic location, with plenty of outdoor space to enjoy in the sunshine and indoor space just in case it rains. In the heart of the Forest, the centre is close to the Sculpture Trail and has a play area, cafe, shop and an exciting climbing tower. There are in-situ BBQ facilities.
Cannop Ponds has a large grass area to spread out your picnic blankets and is close to the car park and the ponds. The ponds themselves are picturesque and are home to lots of wildlife including ducks, swans and even dragonflies.
The Kymin with its roundhouse atop a hill - built in the 18th century by the gentry of Monmouth as a banqueting house at this viewpoint overlooking the town. It's still a great place to picnic.
Mallards Pike Lake is one of the best picnic spots in the South West. It consists of man-made lakes and is a popular attraction for walking, cycling and other adventure activities. With hot and cold refreshments from Mallards Cafe, this is a great location for a family picnic too.
Symonds Yat Rock is a Forestry England site and an internationally renowned viewpoint overlooking the River Wye and has many places to explore and to enjoy picnics. Below it are Symonds Yat East and West, two separate villages on either side of the Wye.
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Soudley
We are the Museum of the Forest: a stunning building and location with inside and outside attractions. Learn about the history of the Forest from the Ice Age to the present day, visit our museum and gallery, explore the Gruffalo woodland trail, visit a charcoal burner's camp, see chainsaw carving, our mill pond and pretty stream, kids will enjoy our woodland playground plus there is an excellent cafe and gift shop.
Chepstow
With over 600 years' history weaved into its walls, that notion of rediscovery is no more evident than at Chepstow Castle. Beautifully preserved and stretching out along a limestone cliff above the River Wye, Chepstow Castle’s beauty is matched only by its historical significance.
Coleford
Beechenhurst, managed by Forestry England, lies in the heart of the Forest of Dean, and is a great place to start your forest adventure. Trail, play area, picnic spots, Go Ape and cafe.
Symonds Yat
Internationally renowned viewpoint with fantastic views over the Wye Valley. A car park, cafe and shop are nearby and there are woodland walks all around including down to Symonds Yat East village.
Tintern
When we talk about British architectural icons, they don’t come much more iconic than Tintern Abbey: a Gothic masterpiece and Romantic symbol of the sublime.
Parkend
Beautiful lake in the Forest of Dean, popular for walking, with lots of picnic benches, nearby cycle paths and a cafe and toilets on site.
Coleford
Unique railway with walks through beautiful woodland.
Tickets last all day - enjoy as many train rides as you like!
Indoor Village and exciting Treasure Hunt!
Cafe is available. Picnics welcome.
Surrounded by beautiful forest, this is a former mining village with great views, walks and cycle routes all around. Central shops, a pub, cafe, church and post office. The war memorial offers spectacular forest views.
Skenfrith
Skenfrith Castle is a ruined castle in the village of Skenfrith in Monmouthshire, Wales, one of a trio of Monmouthshire fortresses known as the ‘Three Castles’ – which includes Grosmont and White Castle – built to control the border. The castle’s well-preserved walls surround a circular keep. Built on an earthen mound, this sturdy structure was a last line of defence should the castle fall under attack.
Monmouth
When Admiral Lord Nelson visited the site in 1802 he described it as one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen.
Chepstow
Surrounded by cliffs, with views over the River Wye this is a truly magnificent spot. From Wintour's Leap take in a horseshoe bend of the Wye, walk down the cliffs to the historic village of Lancaut, through the Nature Reserve and back up the other side.
In the heart of the Forest of Dean, surrounded by trees and with many things to do, places to stay and places to eat, Parkend is an ideal base for exploring the Forest on foot or cycle. The Dean Forest Railway stops here, bikes can be hired, there are two pubs, a cafe and a shop as well as RSPB Nagshead ideal for wildlife and birdwatching.
Grosmont
Grosmont Castle is a ruined castle in the village of Grosmont, Monmouthshire, one of a trio of Monmouthshire fortresses known as the ‘Three Castles’ – which includes White Castle and Skenfrith – built to control the border. The fortification was established by the Normans in the wake of the invasion of England in 1066. It experienced an active life including being besieged in the Glyndŵr Rising rebellion of 1405.
Cinderford
Blaize Bailey is a viewpoint looking over a horseshoe bend in the River Severn and on a fine day, you will be able to see Gloucester Cathedral, Newnham and the Cotswold Hills.
Historic Forest of Dean village with a former royal castle, now a youth hostel. Set high above the Wye Valley there are good views into the Forest, the River Wye below and to Wales in the distance.
Parkend
Nagshead is an RSPB Nature Reserve, the largest in the Forest of Dean. It is an ideal spot for birdwatching and wildlife spotting with woodland walks, ponds and hides. In spring watch for pied flycatchers and buzzards. In winter look for crossbills and hawfinches.
Highnam
Highnam Woods on the eastern edge of the Forest of Dean is an RSPB nature reserve offering great birdwatching and wildlife spotting opportunities.
Newent
Large picturesque lake surrounded by park not far from the centre of Newent town.
Brockweir is a small but attractive village located alongside the River Wye in Gloucestershire. There is a thriving community shop serving a wide range of local produce with a well stocked cafe. Riverside walks and beautiful views all around.
Forest of Dean
A small fishing lake in the Speech House woods, used as a filming location in the BBC series Merlin.
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