You are here: Things To Do > Family Friendly

Family Friendly Things To Do

The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is such a great place for families. There's loads to do for all ages and 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 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, there are also many attractions and activities that take getting back to nature to another level. From ancient castles to steam train rides, canoeing to cave exploring we have an abundance of excitement waiting for children of all ages – particularly those harder to satisfy tweens and teens.

Lose yourself in a different world at magical Puzzlewood, or find the surprise at the centre of Elton's Giant Maze (open May-Sep). Get on the right track aboard a Perrygrove Railway train or visit the Dean Forest Railway for a steam train ride through the Forest. Get out on the water with canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding or fly through the trees on a high ropes experience or zipwire. Step back in time and learn about the history of the area at the Dean Heritage Centre. Get up close to our birds of prey, hire bikes and head out on 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. Look out for jumping trout, kingfishers, otters and swans as you sit back, relax and let the towering, limestone gorge scenery drift by.

There is so much to see and do for families, you might just want to stay a little longer to fit more in!