Adventure
Christmas Gift Guide
Post date:
6th December 2025
Find the perfect Christmas gift with local experiences, creative days out and unforgettable adventures across the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
Foodies
In the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
Love discovering a destination through its flavours? The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is the perfect place for foodies looking to explore local produce, artisan makers, and unique culinary experiences.
This is a region that celebrates what it grows, brews, bakes, and distils. From vineyards and cider mills to farm shops, foraging tours, and award-winning restaurants, you’ll find a wealth of flavour rooted in the landscape and traditions of the area.
In this section, you’ll find food and drink producers, farm-to-fork experiences, tastings, markets, cookery classes, and more. Whether you’re nibbling on locally made cheese, enjoying a gin tasting, or stocking up on forest-foraged ingredients, there’s something here to tempt every palate.
You’ll also find plenty of places to stay and eat that take their food seriously. We love fireside pub grub, creative tasting menus, and afternoon teas served with a view. Perfect for a weekend of indulgence or a leisurely lunch on your day out.
Explore below and start planning your foodie journey through the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
Foodies Businesses
13th Century Farmhouse + AA 2 Red Rosette Restaurant for intimate meals and retreats. 13th Century Farmhouse + AA 2 Red Rosette Restaurant for intimate meals and retreats.
Prices from:
£120.00
Dogs | Families | Foodies | Groups | History | Nature
The Speech House Hotel
A former historic hunting lodge located in the centre of the Royal Forest of Dean. With 35 en-suite… A former historic hunting lodge located in the centre of the Royal Forest of Dean. With 35 en-suite bedrooms, a cosy bar, pretty garden with heated dining dens, two…
Foodies
Saracens Head Inn
16th Century riverside Inn offering a variety of high quality food and real ales. 16th Century riverside Inn offering a variety of high quality food and real ales.
Foodies | Accessible | Families | Dogs | Groups | Relaxation
Harts Barn Cookery School
Cookery experiences for all. Holiday activities, parties, fire cooking, world cookery and many… Cookery experiences for all. Holiday activities, parties, fire cooking, world cookery and many more. Bespoke experiences for family groups & friends are. Venue hire & meeting…
Foodies | Families
Stay at The Saracens Head Inn
16 century riverside inn offering high quality food and comfortable accommodation situated in the… 16 century riverside inn offering high quality food and comfortable accommodation situated in the Wye Valley gorge where it meets the Forest of Dean in the idyllic village of…
Foodies | Accessible | Dogs
The Forest Larder
The Forest Larder is an eclectic collection of food and drink from the Forest of Dean, Wye Valley… The Forest Larder is an eclectic collection of food and drink from the Forest of Dean, Wye Valley and beyond.
Foodies | Families
The Lamproom Cafe at Clearwell Caves
The Lamproom Cafe sits above ground and is the only marker for adventures taking place below. With… The Lamproom Cafe sits above ground and is the only marker for adventures taking place below. With homemade soups, sandwiches, cakes, leaf teas and all your favourite organic…
Dogs | Families | Foodies | Groups | Nature
Mallards Pike Café
Mallards Pike Café overlooks the beautiful lake. Our friendly café prides itself on serving the… Mallards Pike Café overlooks the beautiful lake. Our friendly café prides itself on serving the best coffee as well as fresh homemade lunches, cakes & snacks.
Foodies
Cinderhill Farm
Nationally recognised producer of outstanding quality, handmade ready-to-eat foods. We seek to… Nationally recognised producer of outstanding quality, handmade ready-to-eat foods. We seek to reflect and protect the richness of the place we live and work through the food…
Foodies
Forest Deli Tasting Corner
Share our love of local and join us here at Forest Deli for a unique tasting experience in our… Share our love of local and join us here at Forest Deli for a unique tasting experience in our bespoke Tasting Corner sampling some of our delicious local produce.
Foodies | Families | Accessible | Groups
The Chocolate Bar
We are a small artisan Chocolate Business based in the Forest of Dean. We use local ingredients… We are a small artisan Chocolate Business based in the Forest of Dean. We use local ingredients wherever possible, and we use only organic chocolate.
Families | Foodies | Dogs
Tudor Farmhouse Hotel
16th Century Boutique Farmhouse Hotel with 20 en-suite bedrooms and AA 2 Rosette Restaurant. 16th Century Boutique Farmhouse Hotel with 20 en-suite bedrooms and AA 2 Rosette Restaurant.
Foodies | Groups | Families
Dining at Bells Hotel and Country Club
We offer a range of light bites, main meals and daily specials, as well as a children’s menu. The… We offer a range of light bites, main meals and daily specials, as well as a children’s menu. The Club House is open for anyone to visit for a drink or bite to eat.
Families | Adventure | Groups | Nature | Foodies | Relaxation
Briery Hill Llamas
Visit our llama farm for an unforgettable llama experience and animal enrichment Visit our llama farm for an unforgettable llama experience and animal enrichment
Foodies | Families | Dogs | Groups | Accessible
Heritage Coffee Shop
Located on the upper level of The Dean Heritage Centre, our coffee shop is the ideal spot to relax… Located on the upper level of The Dean Heritage Centre, our coffee shop is the ideal spot to relax and unwind.
Dogs | Families | Foodies | Groups | Nature | Accessible
Symonds Yat Rock Cafe
Exceptional Coffee At The Forest Of Dean's Most Spectacular Beauty Spot Exceptional Coffee At The Forest Of Dean's Most Spectacular Beauty Spot
Foodies Events
Select a Timeframe:
Date From:
Date To:
Foodies
Shania Twain Tribute Night
Dates:
12th Dec 2025 - 12th Dec 2025
“Let’s Go, Girls!” and join us for an unforgettable night of live music, food, and festive fun at… “Let’s Go, Girls!” and join us for an unforgettable night of live music, food, and festive fun at The Belfry Hotel & Restaurant!
Foodies
Soul & Mowtown Night
Dates:
13th Dec 2025 - 13th Dec 2025
Get ready to groove the night away with the incredible Reverend Ramoo, bringing you the very best… Get ready to groove the night away with the incredible Reverend Ramoo, bringing you the very best of Soul and Motown Northern Soul classics for a night full of rhythm,…
Foodies | Nature
Wildly Hormonal
Dates:
10th Jan 2026 - 10th Jan 2026
Join Liz Knight from Forage Fine Foods to learn how the commonest of wild plants can be transformed… Join Liz Knight from Forage Fine Foods to learn how the commonest of wild plants can be transformed to support hormonal health.
Nature | Foodies
Wild Food with Liz Knight
Dates:
25th Apr 2026 - 25th Apr 2026
Join Liz from Forage Fine Foods to forage and make a tincture to take home. Join Liz from Forage Fine Foods to forage and make a tincture to take home.
Adventure | Dogs | Families
Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling - Date TBC
Event Dates:
26th May 2026 - 26th May 2026
One of the UK’s most legendary and eccentric events, the Gloucestershire…
View Event
Nature | Foodies
Wild Food with Liz Knight
Event Dates:
20th Jun 2026 - 20th Jun 2026
Join Liz from Forage Fine Foods to forage and make a tincture to take home.
View Event
Nature | Foodies
Wild Food with Liz Knight
Event Dates:
5th Sept 2026 - 5th Sept 2026
Join Liz from Forage Fine Foods to forage and make a tincture to take home.
View EventFoodies Offers
A two night winter escape for explorers and foodies. A two night winter escape for explorers and foodies.
Foodies Experiences
Prices from:
£110.00
Groups | Foodies
Make Your Own Gin
Create your own gin at a working distillery in the Wye Valley. Explore botanicals, distill your… Create your own gin at a working distillery in the Wye Valley. Explore botanicals, distill your recipe in a mini copper still, sample craft gins, and take home a full-size…
Prices from:
£20.00
Foodies | Groups
Distillery Tour and Tasting
Join a friendly Welsh distillery tour where tasting is part of the adventure. Learn how local… Join a friendly Welsh distillery tour where tasting is part of the adventure. Learn how local flavours come to life in the countryside and soak up the laid-back vibes of…
Prices from:
£70.00
Learn how to make three alcohol free cocktails Learn how to make three alcohol free cocktails
Prices from:
£3.00
Families | Foodies | Groups | Accessible
Lunch Like a Local
Treat yourself to a freshly-prepared and authentically 'Forest' hot lunch tomorrow; with The Pie… Treat yourself to a freshly-prepared and authentically 'Forest' hot lunch tomorrow; with The Pie House at Cinderhill Farm, we've got you covered!
Our latest Foodies blogs
This is the perfect time of year for a taste of autumn in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
Read more
Plan a festive or winter getaway in the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley. Discover cosy stays, scenic walks, Christmas markets, and seasonal adventures.
Read more
Discover five favourite dog friendly pubs and 'proper' walks from the stunning Symonds Yat Rock Lodge.
Read moreStay up to date
Be the first to hear about our exciting events, offers, inspiration and competitions by signing up.
