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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: 120
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Near Coleford
The only bike hire location with direct access to the Forest of Deans's traffic-free family & mountain bike trails! The bike hire fleet includes e-bikes, a choice of premium Whyte bike models for mountain bikes or leisure trails, kids' bikes, child seats, trailers and tagalongs. Trailers for dogs are also available. We also have a cafe, bike shop, workshop, toilets, showers, bike wash & parking.
Symonds Yat West
A twelve hole miniature golf course amongst the fantasy ruins of a picturesque Roman villa. Will you beat par? Half price admission with ticket holders for aMazing Hedge Puzzle or Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo which are alongside at the Wye Valley Visitor Centre.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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'.
Monmouth
Outdoor Training and Adventure in the Wye Valley & South Wales Borderlands.
Climbing, Caving, Archery, Bushcraft, Navigation Training and more
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.
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.
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.
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.
Symonds Yat West
Learn basic survival skills on one of our hands-on bushcraft courses. We’ll lead you through the priorities of survival and a range of techniques for living comfortably in the wild. Our friendly instructors will introduce you to primitive survival skills from a time when life moved more slowly and thoughtfully.
Price: TBA
Length of experience: 3 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.
Newent
Large picturesque lake surrounded by park not far from the centre of Newent town.
Chepstow
The Wye Valley Sculpture Garden is the creation of artist Gemma Kate Wood, that she has built over the last 20 years.
The garden has grown into a beautiful venue that hosts her sculpture collection and excitingly, the work of 23 other artists to create the Summer Sculpture Exhibition.
Wye Valley
Spectacular Happenings in an Outstanding Landscape.
Join us for the next biennial Wye Valley River Festival, running from 3 - 12 May 2024. The festival will be appearing in woodlands, streets and village greens throughout the Valley - brimful of music, theatre, extraordinary creatures, fantastical mobile devices, trumpets, songs and laughter. Events are mostly free to attend, and everyone is welcome (including well-behaved dogs!). Audiences can expect a vibrant program of performances to entertain and amaze, experiences to…
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
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
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*Visit Dean Wye is the trading name of Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Limited.