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Young Families

There is an abundance of things to do to keep our youngest visitors happy in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. You can’t come to the area without a woodland walk and whether it’s raining or the sun is shining the trees are often a great place to shelter. If you enjoy walking and need a trail to follow then the sculpture trail from Beechenhurst is a good start. Forestry England also often have seasonal trails to follow which in previous years have included the Gruffalo or Shaun the Sheep.

A hidden gem for our younger visitors is Perrygrove, with its with steam train rides that circle a children’s play fort complete with slides and lookouts as well as woodland pathways and an undercover play area that makes you feel like you have stepped into toy town. Perrygrove is opposite one of the must-go attractions in the area, Puzzlewood, with its magical mystical natural woodland pathways it is a breathtaking sight which is why it is used regularly in TV and films such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, Doctor Who, Merlin and even Tree Fu Tom.

Other attractions loved by our younger visitors include the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo and aMazing Hedge Puzzle where you can play hide and seek whilst you find your way into the middle of the maze. There are many majestic castles to visit in the area too including Goodrich Castle, Raglan Castle, Chepstow Castle and Caldicot Castle and they often run events, trails and activities to follow that let your little ones' imaginations run wild.

If cycling is your thing, you can take your own or hire a bike (and child’s seat) and head out for an hour or two onto the Family Cycling Trail. You can also hire a canoe (minimum age 4) and spend a few hours gently floating down the river – keep an eye out for otters swimming along the water's edge and kingfishers flitting past.

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Forest Of Dean & Wye Valley School Of Photography

Address

St Briavels, Gloucestershire

Telephone
07771 664973

info@davidbroadbent.com

St Briavels

Fun, photographic training, group guiding, mindfulness sessions and holidays in the heart of the forest and valley with pro photographer, David Broadbent. Suitable for all skill levels from beginner to advanced. Improve your general skill level or hone one specialist area - it's up to you.

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DBC Leisure

Address

Trowgreen Farm, St Briavels, Gloucestershire, GL15 6QP

Telephone
01594 833940

info@dbcleisure.co.uk

St Briavels

Clay shooting, air rifle, archery tuition with friendly, experienced instructors; beginners, stag/hen parties, corporate events, & private shooting parties. On-site catering.

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River Wye Canoe Hire

Address

Symonds Yat, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 6DA

Telephone
01600 890470

mark@thecanoehire.co.uk

Ross-on-Wye

River Wye Canoe Hire, based in Symonds Yat West in the heart of the Wye valley is one of the UK's leading canoe hire specialists with over thirty years of experience in the Canoe Hire business on the River Wye.

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Children
- Children welcome
Dean Forest Railway

Address

Forest Road, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 4ET

Telephone
01594845840

contact@deanforestrailway.co.uk

Lydney

Journey through the medieval Forest of Dean from Lydney to Parkend on a steam train or heritage diesel train service. Free parking, cafeteria, museum and gift shop at Norchard Station. A heritage railway offering a Forest experience from the comfort of your carriage. Cream teas, meals and experiences available.

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Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
Facilities

Accessibility
- Disabled access
- Disabled toilets
- Wheelchairs available
Facilities

Children
- Children welcome
The Chocolate Bar

Address

Taurus Crafts, Lydney Park Estate, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 6BU

Telephone
07855 229334

thechocolatebar@live.co.uk

Lydney

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.

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Wye Canoes

Address

Symonds Yat, Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 6BJ

Telephone
01600 890027

enquiry@wyecanoes.com

Ross-On-Wye

We are your Wye Valley Canoe, Kayak and Paddleboard hire experts...
Based in beautiful Symonds Yat West, with online booking your river Wye adventure couldn't be simpler. We cater for couples, families and groups and have a range of self-guided trips for you to choose from.

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Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
Facilities

Children
- Children welcome
Hereford Cathedral

Address

5 College Cloisters, Cathedral Close, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR1 2NG

Telephone
01432 374200

office@herefordcathedral.org

Hereford

Hereford Cathedral is home to the Mappa Mundi & Chained Library and a community which has worked and worshipped together continuously for over 1,300 years.

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Children
- Children welcome
Elton Giant Mazes and Activities Maze

Address

Elton Farm, Littledean Road, Elton, Gloucestershire, GL14 1JU

Telephone
07951 864946

eltonmazes@gmail.com

Elton

3 Giant maize mazes with hidden objectives to find. Do the Quiz or climb look out towers. OK for pushchairs & all ages. Picnic site, snacks and games area. Great for Birthday treats and parties. BBQ.

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Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
Facilities

Children
- Children welcome
Wythall Estate Vineyard

Address

Bulls Hill, Walford, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR95SD

Telephone
01989 566868

marketing@wythallestate.co.uk

Ross-on-Wye

Enjoy drinking award-winning English wine in our beautiful lakeside garden at Wythall Estate.

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Facilities

Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
Skenfrith Castle

Address

Skenfrith, Monmouthshire, NP7 8UH

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.

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Children
- Children welcome
Freedom Leisure Cinderford

Address

Causeway Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire, GL14 2AF

Telephone
01594 824008

cinderford@freedom-leisure.co.uk

Cinderford

Are you looking for some sporting activities in the Forest of Dean? Somewhere to work up a sweat or splash around with your friends in a swimming pool? Freedom Leisure Cinderford has facilities and activities to suit everyone including gym, fitness classes, swimming, squash and tennis.

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Children
- Children welcome
The Cathedral Of The Forest

Address

Almshouse Road, Newland, Gloucestershire, GL16 8NL

Telephone
01594 832808

Newland

All Saints Church, Newland, The Cathedral of the Forest, dates back to the 1200s. This historic church is home to the Miner's Brass a symbol of the Royal Forest of Dean.

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Accessibility
- Disabled access
- Disabled toilets
Facilities

Children
- Children welcome
Speculation and Mireystock

Address

Near Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, GL17 9LT

Near Lydbrook

A Forest car park with vast walks, a picnic site, pond with waterlilies and an area steeped in the heritage of mining with old railway lines and bridges and a new mining memorial installed in 2022. Off-road cycling trails and access to the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail.

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Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
Facilities

Children
- Children welcome
Abseiling with Borderlands Outdoor

Address

Symonds Yat, Symonds Yat East, Herefordshire, HR9 6BL

Telephone
07580 135869

info@borderlandsoutdoor.com

Symonds Yat East

Abseil from up to 90 feet high cliffs. Thrilling activity for adventure seekers. Stunning locations in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean border area.
Qualified and experienced instructors.
Price: TBA
Length of experience: 3 hours

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Children
- Children welcome
Speech House Lake

Address

Speech House Woods, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, GL16 7EJ

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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Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
Facilities

Children
- Children welcome
Forage and Feast Cookery Experience

Address

Harts Barn Cookery School, Monmouth Road, Longhope, Gloucestershire, GL17 0QD

Telephone
01452 831719

info@hartsbarncookeryschool.co.uk

Longhope

During this class you will be taken on a forage, by Rob Gould, a Cotswold Forager. You will explore the hedgerows, woods and fields around Harts Barn Cookery School. What you will find depends on the seasons. Wild Garlic in spring, nuts, berries and mushrooms in autumn, but there is always something to make a feast from. You will then return to the cookery school to sort through your foragings and create a feast to dine on – a challenge based on what we find.
Price: £95 per person
Length of experience: 5 hours

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Suitability
- Families
Inspire2Adventure

Address

Inspire Consulting & Coaching Ltd T/A Inspire2Adventure, Wyastone Business Park, Wyastone Leys, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 3SR

Telephone
01600 891515

info@inspire2adventure.com

Monmouth

Stand-up paddleboarding, gorge scrambling, guided kayaking and rock climbing in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean. Join us for an introduction, a half-day or full day of activities on rivers, gorges and rock faces in this stunning area. Fun, adventurous, and suitable for all ages and skill levels, we provide everything you need and teach you techniques, taking any fears away and making sure you have a great day out.

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Suitability
- Families
Children
- Children welcome
Make your own Gin with Silver Circle Distillery

Address

Silver Circle Distillery, Humble by Nature, Upper Meend Farm, Penallt, NP25 4RP

Telephone
07395 830615

hello@silvercircledistillery.com

Upper Meend Farm, Penallt

Create your own unique gin recipe, distil it and take it home with one of our ‘Make your own gin’ experiences! Sessions are held in the tasting room at our distillery in Catbrook, Monmouthshire.
Price: £110 for one person or £140 for two people
Length of experience: 2½ hours

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Young Family Cycling Adventure Experience - Full Day

Address

Wye-Bikes, Bells Hotel & Country Club, Lords Hill, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 8BE

Telephone
07856 597044

info@wye-bikes.co.uk

Lords Hill, Coleford

We challenge you to not smile on an a E-Bike ride! Not only do you get to explore more of the beautiful Forest of Dean & Wye Valley, you don’t have to worry about climbing off your bike and pushing it uphill when the going gets tough.
Price: £80 per person
Length of experience: 6 hours.

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Suitability
- Dog Owners
Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
Facilities

Suitability
- Families
Children
- Children welcome
Foresters' Forest

Address

Bank House, Bank Street, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 8BA

Telephone
07584 003362

info@forestersforest.uk

Coleford

Foresters’ Forest is a £2.5m National Lottery Heritage funded scheme with 38 community projects that uncover, reveal, share and celebrate our heritage.

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Facilities

Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted