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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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Ninewells Road, Catbrook
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
Pillowell
Visit artists in their workshops and galleries during the annual Open Studios Event in the Forest of Dean, Wye Valley, along the Severn and Gloucester.
Nr Coleford
Our half-day introductory course covers basic off-road driving techniques and is intended for occasional off-road driving from mild to moderate conditions. It is the perfect introduction to 4×4 driving.
Price: £140 per person.
Length of experience: Approx 3 hours.
Newent
A traditional, friendly family business in the centre of Newent selling sporting goods, a good selection of swimwear and equipment, club kits, ballet and dance wear.
Highnam
Highnam Woods on the eastern edge of the Forest of Dean is an RSPB nature reserve offering great birdwatching and wildlife spotting opportunities.
Coleford
Activities include Climbing, Canoe & Kayak adventures. Cave experiences. Archery, Bivouac weekends and more. Experienced and Qualified instructors.
Pontrilas
Ty Gwyn Cider - Real artisan/craft farm cider in a stunning location on the Welsh border. Visit our destination cider shop for a warm welcome and free tasting.
Abergavenny
Historic covered market in the centre of town. As well as the regular market stalls held on Friday and Saturday, specialist markets are held throughout the year.
Gloucester
Gloucester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, in Gloucester, stands in the north of the city near the river.
Ledbury
For a great family day out come to Westons Cider Mill, join a tour, sample our ciders or local apple juice and perhaps have tea and a cake or a lovely lunch.
St. Briavels
We offer a full range of floristry and floral design services – from gift bouquets to weddings, funeral tributes to events. Our floral arrangements are romantic, cottage garden, vintage, and hedgerow-inspired.
Coleford
Super Greens & challenging holes for players of every level. 6300-yard par 72 Golf Course. Memberships are available and visitors are welcome on the Course and in the Bar. Conference & Wi-Fi facilities.
Nr Ross-on-Wye
Contemporary craft gallery in the south Herefordshire hills. Beautiful work, made and sold here by the makers. Ceramics, furniture, wood-carving, kitchenwood, basketry, jewellery and collagraph prints.
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.
Parkend
Enjoy a relaxing day of cycling in the Forest of Dean on our superb electric bikes. Our e-bikes offer you the chance to cycle effortlessly (regardless of hills) to find the best viewpoints and beauty spots. Simply roll out your blanket, relax, and enjoy your freshly prepared sandwiches and scones, and maybe even treat yourselves to Prosecco.
Price: £60 per person
Length of experience: 6 hours
Ross-on-Wye
Truffles Deli is a foodie haven for young and old alike in the centre of beautiful Ross-on-Wye. Stocking everything a deli should and more, you'll find a vast cheese counter, salamies, quiches and pies, olives, cakes, snacks and drinks in abundance. Explore the best local produce and foods from around the world. You can buy also buy food and drinks to take away including soups, salads, sandwiches, teas and coffees.
Lydney
Riverside walks, sculptures, great for birdwatching, sunsets and steeped in history, Lydney Harbour is well worth visiting as a place of beauty but also to see the power and force of the River Severn and its estuary which has the second highest tidal range in the world. Now with a new modern takeaway cafe.
Lydney Park Estate, Lydney
Bring a group together for a fun creative mosaic experience and create a striking woodland animal mosaic for your garden. Choose either a square design or get really creative and cut out your chosen animal shape.
Price: £45 per person
Length of experience: 4 hours
Forest of Dean
The dawn chorus is the most amazing sound of spring when all birds sing together. If you have never heard it before the sound will simply blow your mind!
Price: £125 for up to 4 people; £25 per person thereafter and up to 10 people
Length of experience: 2 hours
Chepstow
Breathtaking views of the Wye Valley and River Severn from the Eagle's Nest at the top of a steep, wooded limestone cliff.
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*Visit Dean Wye is the trading name of Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Limited.