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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: 127
, currently showing 41 to 60.
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.
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.
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
Historic path along cliffs overlooking the River Wye popular during the Wye Tour. Part of the Wye Valley Walk north of Chepstow and leading to the Eagle's Nest Viewpoint.
Goodrich
One of the most prominent features in the Lower Wye Valley offering some of the best views and walks in the area. 98 hectares of the hill is a local nature reserve, bluebells cover the hill in spring and it is well known as being an ideal spot to leaf peep the autumn colours. South of Goodrich and west of Kerne Bridge it is surrounded by two large loops in the River Wye with Symonds Yat close by.
Lords Hill, Coleford
We challenge you to not smile on an a E-Bike ride! Not only do you get to explore more of the beautiful Forest of Dean & Wye Valley, you don’t have to worry about climbing off your bike and pushing it uphill when the going gets tough.
Price: £80 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.
Monmouth
Easy to learn, fun to do, Inspire2Adventure offers stand-up paddleboard experiences! Suitable for all ages and all abilities, you can explore the River Wye on a single paddleboard or/and try our mega-SUP, which can accommodate up to eight people - cue endless fun and games for families, groups, hens and stags trying to paddle together!
Price: £36 per person
Length of experience: 2 hours
Ross-on-Wye
Standing in scenic countryside above the River Wye, Goodrich Castle is one of the finest and best preserved of all English medieval castles. Boasting a remarkable history and unforgettable views from the battlements, it promises a great day out for all the family.
Monmouth
When Admiral Lord Nelson visited the site in 1802 he described it as one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen.
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
Cinderford
Are you looking for some sporting activities in the Forest of Dean? Somewhere to work up a sweat or splash around with your friends in a swimming pool? Freedom Leisure Cinderford has facilities and activities to suit everyone including gym, fitness classes, swimming, squash and tennis.
Newent
Large picturesque lake surrounded by park not far from the centre of Newent town.
Forest of Dean
Exploring the stunning landscapes and amazing wildlife of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley can come no better than a trip out with local naturalist Ed Drewitt.
Price: £125 total for a group of up to 4 people; £25 per person thereafter (up to 8 people)
Length of experience: 2 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.
Soudley
Guided Forest Bathing with Carina, a licensed, certified guide (ANFT), in a peaceful forest, with slow walking and sensory invitations. Shinrin-yoku (or forest bathing) means ‘bathing’ all the senses, whilst walking slowly in the forest. Invest in your own health and wellbeing, connect with nature by learning to practise Shinrin-yoku and experience the restorative power of the forest.
Price: £25 per person
Length of experience: 4 hours
Lydney
Enjoy a relaxing journey along the Dean Forest Railway on board the steam train, with a fish and chip supper (or other choice of food) delivered to your table.
Price: Adults £24.50, Child £14.50
Length of experience: 1½ hours
Chepstow
Chepstow Park is a large block of woodland with both mature broadleaf and conifer species as well as an excellent viewpoint south towards the Severn Bridges.
Longhope
Making your own Ploughman's has never been so easy! The class will be a combination of demo and hands on in groups. Recipes and tastings available.
Price: £60 per person
Length of experience: 3 hours
Littledean Road, Newnham
The perfect alternative to paintball, with adrenaline-pumping games and missions in a beautiful rural location in the Forest of Dean, without the need for sweaty face masks and of course no bruises!
Price: £20 per person
Length of experience: 2 hours
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*Visit Dean Wye is the trading name of Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Limited.