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The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is a fantastic place for families! There's lots to do for all ages, and there's plenty which can be done together; plenty to excite and thrill, plenty to entertain and enjoy, and most importantly for many families, plenty of opportunity to reconnect with each other, and to enjoy the calm that being in nature can bring.
Whilst a simple forest or riverside walk is the perfect start to any trip to the area, the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is also home to many attractions and activities that can take getting back to nature to another level. From ancient castles to steam train rides, and canoeing to cave exploring, we have an abundance of excitement waiting for children of all ages, even those tweens and teens who are a little bit harder to please!
Lose yourself in a different world at magical Puzzlewood, or find the surprise at the centre of Elton's Giant Maze. Get on the right track aboard a Perrygrove Railway train, or visit the Dean Forest Railway for a steam train ride through the Forest of Dean. Step back in time and learn about the history of the area at the Dean Heritage Centre. Get out on the water with canoeing, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding, or fly through the trees on a high ropes experience! Get up close with birds of prey, hire bikes and head out along our miles of off-road tracks, book an archery class, or try rock climbing. Looking for something more leisurely? Sit back and relax with a river cruise along the Wye; keep an eye out for jumping trout, kingfishers, otters, and swans as you sit back, relax, and let the towering, limestone gorge scenery drift by.
Here in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, there is so much for families to see and do that you just might want to stay a little longer to fit more in!
Number of results: 128
, currently showing 21 to 40.
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.
Mallards Pike and Beechenhurst
If you want to get your blood pumping a little more, then you're in luck! Nestled deep within the Forest are some of the best high outdoor activities.
Coleford
Puzzlewood is a magical day out in the Forest of Dean. An enchanting, ancient woodland, filled with fantastic tree and rock formations. A popular TV & film location inc Star Wars.
Symonds Yat West
Walk with butterflies as you explore the incredible and beautiful world of these wonderful creatures. This safari is for everyone with an interest in the environment, and has some wonderful photographic opportunities, come and see!
Newent
Llama Experience days within Gloucestershire in a privately owned farm with Lake and woodland.
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.
Hereford
Hereford Cathedral is home to a community which has worked and worshipped together continuously for over 1,300 years and welcomes thousands of tourists and pilgrims annually.
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.
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.
Lydney
Relax, learn a new skill and create a memory of your stay in the Forest of Dean to treasure forever. Perfect for couples, families and small groups looking for some quality 'down time'.
Coleford
We are a brand new cycle hire company located in the hidden gem that is the Forest of Dean. We will provide a range of leading bike brands, including 2021 E-bikes from Cube and the latest children's bikes from Frog. As well as a wide range of bikes for all ages and abilities, we will offer tag-alongs, trailers for younger children and even specific trailers for the family dog!
Ross-on-Wye
Ross on 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.
Monmouth
Outdoor Training and Adventure in the Wye Valley & South Wales Borderlands.
Climbing, Caving, Archery, Bushcraft, Navigation Training and more
Clearwell
Let us take you on an adventure to remember. Deep or semi-level caving in the stunning Clearwell Caves is an experience which will make your stay in the Forest of Dean something special. Go deep under the Forest, visiting this labyrinth of over 250 acres of passageways and caverns. Walk, crawl, slither and clamber your way down to 200ft (62m) underground; you will be caving through natural and mined features. Involves some climbing, crawling, getting dirty, and good fun!
Cinderford
Atmospheric historic cinema in the heart of the Forest in the town of Cinderford. Showing the latest releases alongside timeless classics with comfortable seating. All tickets just £4.50.
Cinderford
We are a Art and craft Gallery in the heart of Cinderford, the high point of the forest of Dean. We have regular exhibitions from local artists and makers along with classes and displays as part of events in the town.
Symonds Yat West
Canoe Hire in the Wye Valley based at Symonds Yat.
We cater for family days out, couples looking for an adventure, groups of friends having fun, corporate team building and even 4 day expedition holidays.
Starting from £60 for 2 people.
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.
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
Lydney
Enjoy a relaxing journey along the Dean Forest Railway behind one of our steam locomotives. Looking for something a little extra? Add a takeaway cream tea or afternoon tea to your trip when placing your booking (and make them extra fancy with a 20cl bottle of prosecco!), available for pickup from Whistles Cafe before your train ride.
Price: Adults £14, Child £7
Length of experience: 1½ hours
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*Visit Dean Wye is the trading name of Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Limited.