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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 61 to 80.
Soudley
Nature's way to restore health and wellbeing. Experience guided Forest Bathing amongst the natural beauty of the Forest of Dean.
Monmouth
When Admiral Lord Nelson visited the site in 1802 he described it as one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen.
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.
Symonds Yat East
If this is your first climb, we'll give you the confidence to have a go at this exhilarating sport. And for more experienced climbers, there is plenty of opportunity to challenge yourself and develop your skills. We'll teach you how to descend a cliff using ropes, safely and in a controlled way. There are a range of abseils available, from approximately 30ft - 85ft - remember to try and enjoy the beautiful views on the way down!
Price: £46 per adult, £37 per child
Length of experience: Half day
Eastnor
Making a pot on the potter’s wheel is one of those ‘I’ve always wanted to do’ activities. This fun session offers the opportunity to do just that! Perfect for individuals, couples and small groups wanting to get creative with clay.
Price: £60 per person.
Length of experience: 1.5 hours.
Monmouth
Stand-up paddleboarding, gorge scrambling, guided kayaking and rock climbing in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean. Join us for an introduction, a half-day or full day of activities on rivers, gorges and rock faces in this stunning area. Fun, adventurous, and suitable for all ages and skill levels, we provide everything you need and teach you techniques, taking any fears away and making sure you have a great day out.
Longhope
Once you have made the elements of the Afternoon Tea and presented them on our vintage china, you will then sit down in our Apple Barn dining room and enjoy them with a tea of your choice. This is a cookery experience to enjoy, relax and eat cakes! Suitable for beginners, those wanting to increase their pastry skills or just wanting to have fun!
Price: £60 per person
Length of experience: 3 hours
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
Clydach
There's lots of fun to be had, climbing waterfalls and scrambling over rocks, as well as a few challenges along the way (depending on how brave you are!) - from balancing along ledges above the water to venturing through a tunnel with water rushing through. Conquer those fears and you'll feel a fantastic sense of achievement. Gorge Scrambling is suitable for all ages.
Price: £46 per adult & £37 per child
Length of experience: 2½ hours
Longhope
Join Harts Barn Cookery School for some quality family time! Bring the family together and spend the morning cooking delicious dishes in a relaxed atmosphere. Learn new skills, teach your children some essential life skills and enjoy the great company and venue. You will prepare and cook a 3-course meal and then enjoy eating your creations together in the Apple Barn dining venue adjacent to the cookery school.
Price: £40 per person
Length of experience: 3 hours
Chepstow
Surrounded by cliffs, with views over the River Wye this is a truly magnificent spot. From Wintour's Leap take in a horseshoe bend of the Wye, walk down the cliffs to the historic village of Lancaut, through the Nature Reserve and back up the other side.
Lydney
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 Lydney has facilities and activities to suit everyone including gym, fitness classes, swimming, squash, outdoor pitches, netball courts and tennis.
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
Littledean
Laser Clay Pigeon shooting is 100% Safe, firing harmless infra-red beams instead of live ammunition meaning no bruises from recoil, no ear-splitting noise, and more environmentally friendly and cheaper than traditional Clay Pigeon Shooting! Perfect for family fun, birthdays, corporate reward days, and wedding groups.
Kilcot, Newent
Visit our llama farm for an unforgettable experience. Your experience will begin with a short introduction to llamas, including grooming and general interaction with the llamas. As part of your experience you will get to meet the babies and learn about how llamas carry their young for 11½ months.
Price: £47.99 per person.
Length of experience: 2 hours
Symonds Yat East
Enjoy a cruise on the River Wye through the beautiful Wye Valley from Symonds Yat East. Sit back, enjoy the scenery and relax. Dogs welcome. Group bookings with onboard catering are available.
Kilcot, Newent
Our experience day provides a unique, hands-on opportunity to interact with our rescued and resident animals. This is a one-to-one bespoke experience and you will not be sharing it with anyone else.
Price: £199.99 per person.
Length of experience: 7 - 8 hours
Forest of Dean
A small fishing lake in the Speech House woods, used as a filming location in the BBC series Merlin.
Eastnor
Remarkable pottery experiences for individuals, groups and organisations. We work with thousands of workshop participants, all ages and abilities, sharing the many benefits of working with clay.
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.
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*Visit Dean Wye is the trading name of Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Limited.