How to Support Local Businesses

During this period of uncertainty there are several ways that you can help to support our closed businesses:

Buy a gift voucher for future use

Maybe you'd like to look forward to an afternoon tea when you can next visit, or perhaps a cookery class is more your thing? Take to the water with canoeing or kayaking vouchers, or into the trees with high ropes fun. There are loads of experience days and adventure activities from birds of prey handling to mountain biking. Or there are treats such as wine tasting, steam train trips or floatation. Or perhaps you need a present for someone? A gift voucher is an ideal option if you can't head to the shops and especially if you can't give it to them in person. We've also got food and drink, arts and crafts and other gift ideas which can be purchased online and sent to you or direct to the recipient. There's something for everyone and we've rounded them all up into the definitive online gift guide for businesses in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. Pay it forwards and look forward to being able to treat yourself or a loved one! See our online gift guide here.

Leave a review

Showing your support without spending any money still means a lot to a business, and it will make our closed businesses feel good to see the love from their fans. You could leave a review on their Facebook page, TripAdvisor or Google. You could also follow them on social media and show your support just by engaging with their posts, liking, commenting and letting them know you'll be back when they can reopen. They will appreciate it all.

Modify, don't cancel

If you already have a booking of any kind please consider modifying it to a later date rather than cancelling. Our local businesses will need to know that once restrictions are lifted people will come back and keeping your booking open will mean they don't have to refund everyone all at once.

Book a delivery or takeaway

If you're within our area you may be interested to know about some of the restaurants, pubs and cafes who have adapted to the situation to offer deliveries and collections. From boxed afternoon teas to cooked meals, hampers to fresh produce, there are a wide range of options and we've listed them all here: See our local deliveries and takeaways here. You'll also find home deliveries now available from some of our farm shops and delis, perfect for supporting local and enjoying our wonderful food and drink.

Shop local

You'll find farm shops and delicatessens offering a wide range of produce and important supplies and many local independent shops which depend on people in their local area to stay afloat. Some are offering online / phone payment, an outside pick up point for an order placed, and some are also offering deliveries. Please check with the local business as information changes daily. See all of our local shops here.

Support crowdfunding appeals

The Dean Forest Railway has launched an emergency appeal for funding. Having to close just one week into their 2020 season has meant a huge loss of income for this much loved heritage railway. The Dean Forest Railway Society, a registered charity with over 1000 members, was looking forward to celebrating 2020 as the 50th anniversary of its origins, with several special events planned for visitors over the course of the year. Donations can be taken via JustGiving, or via the society's website with PayPal, BACS or cheque options available. Run by volunteers passionate about keeping the railway alive, all donations will go towards the maintenance and upkeep and will help secure the existence of the railway for future generations to enjoy.

The Savoy Theatre in Monmouth is part of a national initiative launched by the Theatres Trust to prevent the permanent closure of hundreds of UK theatres. Their crowdfunding appeal here will help with maintenance and running costs during this extended period of closure. 

Biblins Youth Campsite are also appealing for help with funding following a disastrous flood in February 2020. Find out more here.

Tudor Farmhouse Hotel have launched a crowdfunding appeal allowing people to pre-purchase a range of stays and meals for future use as well as a complete hotel takeover! See their Crowdfunder page here for more information.

Wye Valley Falconry have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with the costs of looking after their beautiful birds of prey. Find out more and donate here.

Take part in an online class

Forest Retreats normally offer day and weekend yoga and wellbeing retreats in an idyllic Wye Valley location. Because they are now closed they have gone online and are offering yoga classes using a simple bit of technology meaning you can be anywhere in the world and still take part in their brilliant classes! 

The Savoy Theatre is also hosting a wide range of online events, from magic shows to comedy, Halloween specials to music.

We also have several pubs and small businesses running virtual pub quizzes and other events.

We do have other businesses working on putting on some online classes too and we'll update this page with information as soon as we get it. 

Plan to visit us later

Although you can't visit us now, please do consider visiting us later and use this time to research and make your holiday even better. This website is full of useful information, from great walking routes to adventure activities, delicious dining to sumptuous places to stay. Here are some inspirational ideas for holidaying in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley:

Read our guide to walking with downloads and routes for those who love walking through idyllic countryside
Explore our range of attractions especially suited for families
Read about our rich heritage and culture
Follow our film and TV trail to step into our incredible filming locations
Download our 2020-2021 Visitor Guide and browse through its pages at your leisure

Thank you for your support and we look forward to your next visit!