Christmas is coming... our independent shops, producers and craftspeople are ready to take your orders, the lights are up in our towns and villages and we have late night shopping and family friendly events to get you in the festive mood. Read on for our guide to Christmas in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley:
 

Christmas Gifts Online

Doing your Christmas shopping online doesn't mean you can't still shop local. We have luxury chocolates and scented candles, sweets, scarves, mugs and mosaics, furniture and soft furnishings, books and beer. We have experience days and afternoon tea gift vouchers, paintings, pottery, hampers, cookery classes and floatation, birds of prey experiences, jewellery, wine and gin, a day on a farm and llama trekking, archery, high ropes fun, a steam train trip and photography lessons, overnight stays and weekends away.

There's so much more than you might imagine all available right here in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley and all these gifts and more are available to purchase in person, on the phone or online. It's never been more important to support your local small businesses and you can do that by shopping local this Christmas.

Our huge Online Gift Guide contains all this and more, find the perfect Christmas gifts here.

Shop Local for the Personal Touch

There is plenty of festive fun to be had and plenty of great local gifts and treats to be found here in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

At Taurus Crafts in Lydney you'll find a wide range of items and decorations and they’ll help you pick the perfect Christmas tree. Their bustling Christmas markets are always a highlight of the season, showcasing the best the area has to offer with original gifts, jewellery, artworks, decorations, crafts, handmade preserves and sweets. Chocolates from The Chocolate Bar are on site plus of the course the obligatory mulled wine and carol singers!

Made in Ross in the historic Market House in the centre of Ross-on-Wye is full of arts and crafts gifts with many of our fabulous local artists' works available here including stained glass, paintings and unique tree decorations. Then head to Truffles Delicatessen to pick up local wine, ciders and treats.

Just outside Hereford, Warehouse 701 is the place to go for a completely unique gift with reclamation, home and garden items and plenty of retro and unusual gifts too and they also selling real Christmas trees.

You can book to browse at Hot Pot Pottery in Coleford with a range of lovely handmade pieces available then pop into Forest Deli just down the road for hampers full of goodness.

Why not explore our high street shops and independent traders, craft markets and art galleries and you might just get to see the Christmas lights as well.

Shopping local has never been more important. See our guide to shopping in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley here.

Magical Christmas Events

We have lots of Christmassy events on too, from steam trains to pantos, Santa to mosaic making, art exhibitions to pottery classes, baking to chocolate making and plenty of days out and experiences, classes and shows all perfect for getting you in the festive spirit.

See our guide to what's on in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley this Christmas here.

Food, Glorious Food

It wouldn't be Christmas without it! Enjoy special menus, festive afternoon teas, outdoor dining pods, Christmas trees, baubles and roaring log fires at our local pubs, restaurants and cafes, the perfect retreat on a winter's day.

Outdoor dining in December? Eat in one of the cosy new garden dining dens at The Speech House Hotel. Book a table at the boutique Tudor Farmhouse Hotel & Restaurant for an exquisite pre-Christmas treat or purchase a takeaway afternoon tea for decadence on demand. Pop down to The Saracens Head Inn at Symonds Yat East with riverside views, endless Wye Valley walking and some great pub grub. The Red Hart Inn, Blaisdon has festive afternoon teas, satisfying Sunday roasts and a sustantial Christmas menu. Suitably decorated with sparkles and tree, book a table at the cosy The Fountain Inn at Parkend, perfect for forest walks with gorgeous woodland all around. Or maybe you want to grab something on the go? Our fantastic forest cafes have been baking mince pies, festive brownies and have hot coffee ready for your after walk warm me ups.

Explore the food and drink of the Dean Wye here.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Winter in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is just as beautiful and inspiring as any other time of year. The low light and lack of leaves can create some beautiful views through the trees and dramatic viewpoints open up even further. Then after your walk pop into a pub or cafe for a treat and stay overnight in a cost hotel, cabin or cottage for an escape from the everyday in our ancient forest and dramatic river valley.

There are plenty of reasons to get outside here in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley at any time of year, whether for a short walk, a bike ride, a hike or an adventure. See our guide to walking in winter here.

Enjoy Christmas in our ancient forest and wild river valley!