Discover Dean Wye

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Choose what interests you and we’ll share the best things to see and do in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

Discover Dean Wye

From ancient forests...

Where England meets Wales, separated by the meandering River Wye, you’ll discover a place of timeless beauty and untamed nature. Pause for a moment at one of our many breathtaking viewpoints, walk or cycle our miles of traffic free paths, explore our iconic ruins and unique attractions or sample our bountiful artisan produce. You won't be dissapointed!

Map Drive Times to the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley

...to wild rivers

This is a place where you can recharge your batteries, get off the beaten track and escape the everyday. This is a place where children can run free, where there is space to roam and plenty of adventures to be had. Find your freedom in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

Explore Dean & Wye

Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail Cathedral of the forest stained glass window
Adventure | Dogs | Families | Groups | Nature | Arts | History | Relaxation

Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail

Established in 1986, the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail is a unique outdoor experience that…

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Child playing in the water at Wenchford
Dogs | Families | Nature | Relaxation

Wenchford

A popular picnic site with picnic tables, an easy access path and a paddling area

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Mallards Pike Lake
Accessible | Families | Dogs | Groups | Nature | Relaxation

Mallards Pike

Beautiful lake in the Forest of Dean, popular for walking, with lots of picnic benches, nearby…

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Cannop Ponds and bridge
Dogs | Families | Nature | Relaxation

Cannop Ponds

Picturesque ponds, home to lots of wildlife. Great picnic area and central for walks and cycle…

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Our Events

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Beechenhurst
Adventure | Families | Nature | Arts

Room on the Broom Trail at Beechenhurst

Dates:
27th Jan 2026 - 31st Oct 2026

Join Witch and her friends on a spellbinding family adventure through the Forest of Dean on…

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RICH 8738
Families | Groups | Nature | Relaxation

Forest of Dean Evening Wildlife Safari in spring

Dates:
24th Feb 2026 - 31st Dec 2026

Next Event Date:
20th Jun 2026

Forest of Dean Evening Wildlife Safari in spring

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Great tit
Adventure | Families | Nature | Relaxation

Spring and Summer Forest of Dean Guided Wildlife…

Dates:
24th Feb 2026 - 31st Dec 2026

Next Event Date:
17th Jun 2026

Spring and Summer Forest of Dean Guided Wildlife Safari (daytime)

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Day course at Eastnor Pottery
Families | Arts | Relaxation

Potter's Wheel Day Course

Dates:
8th Apr 2026 - 5th Dec 2026

Next Event Date:
1st Aug 2026

Spend a full day at the potter's wheel with Eastnor Pottery, Ledbury. Your own wheel, plenty of…

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Hot Pot Pottery
Families | Groups | Arts

Afternoon Tea & Pottery Experience

Event Dates:
9th Apr 2026 - 2nd Jul 2026

Next Event Date:
2nd Jul 2026

Throw your own mugs and tea cups on the potter's wheel, paint pottery…

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Potting tent wheels in action Intro Class
Families | Arts

Potter's Wheel Introduction Class

Event Dates:
10th Apr 2026 - 19th Dec 2026

Next Event Date:
26th Jun 2026

Try your hand at the potter's wheel with a 90-minute introduction class at…

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Hot Pot Pottery
Arts | Groups

One Day Wheel Throwing Workshop

Event Dates:
1st May 2026 - 5th Dec 2026

Next Event Date:
26th Jun 2026

A full day of wheel throwing at Hot Pot Pottery, Forest of Dean. Your own…

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Harry Beddington Self Portrait from the Writers collection
Arts | History

Beyond the Books Exhibition

Event Dates:
16th May 2026 - 30th Aug 2026

Forest of Dean Writers Collection Exhibition

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Paul Burton sculpture
Families | Groups | Arts

Summer Sculpture Exhibition 2026

Event Dates:
24th May 2026 - 13th Sept 2026

The Summer Sculpture Exhibition is now in its third year, showcasing over…

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3
Nature | Relaxation

Nightjar Safari in the Forest of Dean

Event Dates:
1st Jun 2026 - 30th Jun 2026

Next Event Date:
19th Jun 2026

Nightjar Safari in the Forest of Dean

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FOD Thursday
Adventure | Families | Groups

FOD Thursday - Timed Bike Runs

Event Dates:
4th Jun 2026 - 9th Jul 2026

Next Event Date:
18th Jun 2026

Join Pedalabikeaway for relaxed timed runs on the downhill trails at the…

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Quiz nights - The Red Hart Inn
Groups | Dogs

Pub Quiz Night

Event Dates:
10th Jun 2026 - 24th Jun 2026

Next Event Date:
24th Jun 2026

Fun & friendly pub quiz in glorious surroundings.

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Our latest blogs

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A Place That Cares

Tourism is the heartbeat of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. It brings life to our communities, supports local jobs, and helps protect the landscapes and heritage that make this place so special.But to keep this region thriving, tourism must also be sustainable. That means caring for the environment, supporting local people, and ensuring that the magic of this place endures - for you, and for future generations.At Visit Dean Wye, we’re proud to be a member of the UN Global Compact and embed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - a global call to action to make the world a better place. These goals guide how we work with over 300 local businesses to build a fairer, greener, more resilient visitor economy.

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If you've been thinking about bringing the little ones somewhere with real space to explore, June in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is when the ancient forest is at its lush midsummer best. There are plenty of pebbles to collect, mossy rocks to clamber over, sticks to launch into the current, and the kind of adventuring that they will remember fondly for years. A couple of June family recommendations for us. 🌲 Enjoy the family-friendly woodland trails at Beechenhurst, Mallards Pike, and Cannop Ponds, easy enough for buggies, balance bikes, and small legs. 🚴 Easy cycling routes for all ages, with bikes, trailers, and tag-alongs all available to hire. 🛶 Calm stretches of the River Wye made for family paddling adventures, with experienced canoe operators running family-friendly trips along one of the best river valleys in England. 🚂 Steam train rides at Perrygrove Railway, treetop scrambles at Go Ape, and the properly magical woodland paths at Puzzlewood… The Forest of Dean tends to look after its smallest guests very well… @pedalabikeaway @puzzlewoodfod @perrygroverailway @symondsyatcanoehire #VisitDeanWye #FamilyDaysOut
Nearly a thousand years later, these stunning views of Chepstow Castle will still stop you in your tracks. Walk through that great arched gateway and you're stepping into the work of William Marshal, arguably the greatest knight of the medieval age. He built the very first twin-towered gatehouse in Britain and fitted it with iron-plated doors so revolutionary in their construction that the originals remain the oldest castle doors in Europe. You can still see them on display inside. What makes Chepstow feel different from so many castles is how lived-in it feels. Peer through the narrow window slits and you're looking out over the same rooftops and garden walls of the town below that have quietly sat there for centuries. Walk the castle grounds and enjoy the view of the River Wye stretching out beneath you, wide and unhurried. 👉 If you've not visited recently, it's well worth a morning of your time. If you have already visited and want to explore some more amazing sites, we think you’d love Raglan Castle and Tintern Abbey. P.S. Find everything you need to plan your next adventure on our website… 📸 @lauslocations @cadwcymruwales #VisitDeanWye #UKCastles
If you're thinking about a summer escape into the forest, the Forest of Dean has some genuinely wonderful places to pitch up. We have a wide range of spacious, family-friendly sites with proper facilities so here are a couple you could check out: 🌲 @bracelandscamping sits in the heart of the forest in a dark sky valley, with over 400 pitches, direct access to walking and cycling trails, and the River Wye around a mile away. Glamping options are available too! 🌿 @greenacrescampsite is a peaceful, family-run site just outside Coleford, with woodland walks leading straight from the pitches and Symonds Yat a short drive away. Dogs are very welcome here. 🏕️ @whitemead_forest_park offers something a little different again, set in the heart of the forest with a full range of facilities including an indoor pool, glamping pods and plenty for families to get stuck into on quieter days. Wherever you choose to base yourself, the trails, the river and the forest wildlife are never far away. 🌲 👉 We've listed all of our recommended places to stay on our website (link in bio). 👀 📸 Photos: @bracelandscamping @whitemead_forest_park #VisitDeanWye #UKCamping
Did you hear that it was National Cycling Week this week? We think it's a good excuse to dust off the bike and get out into the forest. 🚴 The Forest of Dean is undoubtedly one of the best places in the country for off-road cycling. The trails here range from smooth family-friendly routes to properly steep technical mountain biking, with stunning forest scenery throughout. No bike? No problem! Our local hire partners have you covered, from leisure bikes and e-bikes to full-suspension mountain bikes. The Forest is also one of the few places in the country with dedicated disability-friendly trails that are built for adapted bikes, too. 🚲 Hire partners: @pedalabikeaway @deanforestcycles @wyebikes #VisitDeanWye #MountainBiking
🍽️ We're becoming famous as a region serious about fine food, and a firm favourite foodie destination. Discover a weekend's worth of seriously good food that all sits within an hour's drive in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. Including a Michelin star, the Times Foodie Hotel of the Year, and a 17th-century hunting lodge with two AA Rosettes. It's time to find out why the region has quietly become one of the UK's most serious food destinations, with producers like Severn & Wye smoked salmon and Double Gloucester cheese on the doorstep and chefs changing menus to match what came in that morning. The six fine food destinations: @simply_wild_restaurant Coleford. Three AA Rosettes, fifteen months after opening. @the_angel_abergavenny Abergavenny. Times Foodie Hotel of the Year 2025. The Barn at @severnandwyesmokery Chaxhill. Royal Warrant. @thespeechhousehotel Coleford. Two AA Rosettes, set in a former hunting lodge. @lovethewalnuttree Llanddewi Skirrid. One Michelin star. @tudorfarmhousehotel Clearwell. A "culinary oasis," per Tatler. Plus Hart's Barn Cookery School in Longhope if you want to try it yourself. Worth a long weekend at the very least. Read the full guide: https://www.visitdeanwye.co.uk/blog/fine-dining-in-the-forest-of-dean-wye-valley #visitdeanwye #Foodie #foodie #foodiefinds
There are few better ways to spend a summer's day in the Wye Valley than from the water. 🛶 Canoeing is the most popular way to explore the river, and it's easy to see why. You set your own pace, stop where you like, and share the water with herons, kingfishers and the occasional otter. It's suitable for all ages and abilities, and yes, the dog can usually come along too. 🏄 Stand-up paddleboarding offers something a little different. The calmer stretches of the Wye are a wonderful place to find your footing, with the valley walls rising on either side. This can be one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a summer’s day in the area. 🌊 Kayaking suits those who want a bit more pace and excitement. The Grade 2 rapids at Symonds Yat are there if you want to tackle them, but there are gentler stretches too for anyone who'd rather take it easy. Most providers offer half-day and full-day hire, with multi-day river trips and overnight riverside camping available if one afternoon simply isn't enough. @symondsyatcanoehire @wyecanoes @wyedeancanoe @riverwyecanoehire @canoethewye @inspire2adventure @way2goadventuresuk @wyedeanadventure @forestadventurelimited #VisitDeanWye #RiverWye
If you've been wanting a proper change of scene, but the idea of a long journey is putting you off, we are likely a lot closer than you might realise… 🚗 Bristol, around an hour. 🚗 Bath, around an hour and ten mins. 🚗 Cardiff, around an hour. 🚗 Cheltenham, around forty minutes. 🚗 Worcester, around fifty minutes. 🚗 Birmingham, around an hour and a half. From the M4 and M5 corridors, the Forest of Dean is on your doorstep. From the wider Midlands, it's an easy morning's drive. #VisitDeanWye #UKDaysOut
A throwback to a magical Saturday in Monmouth. Some days simply stay with you, and the Wye Valley River Festival's Merry Monmouth celebration was one of them. Over 3,000 of you joined us for a day of parades, puppets, storytelling and song at Drybridge Park. Huge thanks to every artist, volunteer and friend who made it. ✨ @wyevalleyriverfestival #VisitDeanWye #WyeValley
📸 Through the Local Lens with Tom Radford Wild boar hidden in the undergrowth. Deer stopping in their tracks mid-walk. Morning mist drifting through the trees. Tiny moments in the forest most people walk straight past. Our latest Through the Local Lens feature shares the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley through @tcrphotographyuk camera, and it’s a brilliant reminder to slow down, look properly, and notice what’s around you. One of the things we loved most about this feature is Tom’s reminder that some of the best places here aren’t always the famous viewpoints. Sometimes it’s just a spot you stumble across on a walk that stays with you for years. There’s also a really personal story behind one of his favourite images, and it’s well worth a read. Read the full feature using the link in our bio. 📷 Photos by @tcrphotographyuk #VisitDeanWye #ForestOfDean #ThroughTheLocalLens
There is a lot going on around us in June! Here are a few highlights worth planning around 👇 🦇 Nightjar Safari, Forest of Dean (throughout June, starting today). As dusk settles over the ancient woodland, you'll walk through heathland in search of the nightjar, a rare bird that spends its days sleeping on the ground and only really comes alive after dark. Along the way, you might see firecrests, crossbills, stonechats and the odd Highland cattle or even an Exmoor pony used for conservation grazing. Run by Ed and Liz Drewitt from @forestofdeanwildlife 🍵 Afternoon Tea & Pottery Experience at Hot Pot Pottery (Wednesday 10th June, 10am) Throw your own mugs and teacups on the wheel, paint a few pottery pieces, then sit down to a home-made afternoon tea. All of that for £89 per person in a countryside studio in the heart of the Forest of Dean. @hot_pot_pottery 🐝 Monmouth Bee Festival (Saturday 13th June) This free family-friendly festival takes place in the heart of Monmouth and brings together craft stalls, bee-derived produce, plant sales, live music and even some hands-on beekeeping demonstrations! We think it’ll be the kind of afternoon that reminds you why small community events are often the best ones… 🥘 Spanish Tapas Evening at The Speech House (Thursday 25th June 7pm-10pm) A relaxed evening of sharing plates in a 17th-century former royal hunting lodge. Patatas bravas, chorizo croquettes, Serrano ham and churros. All that for only £38pp. What’s not to love? @thespeechhousehotel #VisitDeanWye #ForestOfDean
Happy National Biscuit Day! 🍪 Luckily, we've got no shortage of places to sit down with a cuppa and enjoy something freshly baked. Here is the list of top cafes we recommend you check out this weekend 👇 ☕ @hips_social and @theartofcoffeecoleford for scrummy coffee and cake surrounded by woodland ☕ @mallards_cafe overlooking the beautiful lake at Mallards Pike ☕ @the_heritage_coffee_shop tucked inside @deanheritagecentre at Soudley ☕ @tauruscrafts near Lydney for homemade treats and a browse of the independent shops ☕ @forest_deli in Coleford for something a little bit special to take home too ☕ @deanforestcycles in Parkend, where the coffee is rumoured to be the best in the forest ☕ @saracensheadinn right on the River Wye at Symonds Yat ☕ @tudorfarmhousehotel for a slower, longer afternoon in Clearwell ☕ @thespeechhousehotel for tea overlooking ancient woodland from a historic hunting lodge #NationalBiscuitDay #VisitDeanWye #ForestOfDean #WyeValley #Gloucestershire
@dailymirror has called Symonds Yat Rock "one of the best places in the world." We 100% agree! Stand up there on a clear morning and it makes sense. The Wye curling away below. Peregrines working the cliff face. The remains of an Iron Age hill fort under your feet. 2,500 years of people standing in roughly the same spot, taking in that incredible view. It's worth the climb and if its new to you, its one for the bucket list! #VisitDeanWye #FindYourFreedom
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