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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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Monmouth
Extensively rebuilt in 1737, with only the original tower and redesigned spire retained, it was considered to be too small by nineteenth century standards and underwent major renovations in 1881.
Longhope
The award-winning Forest Bakehouse is a cooperative bakery based in the village of Longhope, in the beautiful Forest of Dean. Our main focus is creating highly nutritious bread and pastries using locally milled organic flour, free from any unnecessary ingredients or additives.
Mitcheldean
The medieval church of St. Michael and All Angels lies at the heart of Mitcheldean on the northern fringes of the Forest of Dean.
Lydney
Formerly the site of the New Fancy coal mine, the old spoil heap now provides spectacular views across the Forest. Great for birdwatching and for woodland walks. Easy access to Mallards Pike and Speech House Woods.
An arboretum full of unusual and interesting trees in the heart of the Forest of Dean next to the Speech House Hotel.
Newnham
We are friendly and welcoming community hub in the Direst of Dean in the attractive Severnside village of Newnham on Severn. After a fundraising campaign which started in 2018, our historic building was secured by the community in 2021 and has undergone an extensive and sympathetic renovation to provide a mixed-use hub for local people (and visitors) to enjoy.
Picturesque ponds, home to lots of wildlife. Great picnic area and central for walks and cycle paths.
Nr Coleford
Whitecliff Off-Road Centre has its own private picturesque site just a mile from Coleford town centre. Whether you are looking for great a day out, a learning experience or Professional 4x4 training, we have the course to suit your needs. Our qualified instructors will guide you through the day with a relaxed, but professional attitude giving you confidence to tackle terrain you never thought possible.
Coleford
A site not to be missed by anyone interested in industrial archelogy - in the 19th century some of the most important developments of the iron and steel industry took place here. Woodland walks surround with two information boards and a cycle path runs nearby between Coleford and Parkend.
Clearwell
Fine Victorian church in the gothic style.
Kilpeck
Home to the finest collection of Romanesque sculpture in England. It was built in about 1140 and has survived remarkably intact and unaltered to the present day.
Brockhampton
A picture postcard rural Herefordshire village with impressive arts and crafts church
A heathland restoration project, Tidenham Chase offers great walks and stunning views and is close to the Offa's Dyke Path and the Devil's Pulpit viewpoint.
Newnham
13th century. The churchyard contains a 1000 year old yew tree and under the tree, beside the church, there are graves of fishermen who drowned in the River Severn in the days of river trows.
Woolaston
Parish church built in the 12 century on an earlier holy site and restored in 1859.
Llantilio Crossenny
The Church of St Teilo is the parish church of Llantilio Crossenny, Monmouthshire, "An unusually grand cruciform church", with an Early English tower crossed by a Decorated chancel.
Ross-on-Wye
The church of St Mary the Virgin stands on one of the highest points in the town and the spire can be seen for many miles around; it is one of the largest churches in Herefordshire.
The St Briavels parish curch of St Mary is situated directly in front of the the Norman castle.
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: £169 per person.
Length of experience: Approx 3 hours.
Blakeney
A popular picnic site with picnic tables, an easy access path and a paddling area
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*Visit Dean Wye is the trading name of Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Limited.