Winter Activities

Whether you want to learn a new skill, have an adventure or just chill out, we have something for everyone even in winter. Perhaps you would you like to try something you've never tried before, take up a new craft or learn to cook? Have you always wanted to learn to shoot with a bow and arrow? Perhaps you've always wanted to take up golf or learn map reading? Like getting muddy? Try quad biking or paintballing, book an off-road mountain biking session or a deep level caving trip to really get the heart pumping! We've got a huge range of activities here in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley from our amazing local businesses.

Here are some of our top winter things to do:

Pottery: Learn how to make your own pots, mugs and vases with wheel throwing days, pot making and painting available for all ages in several locations around the Dean Wye.

Caving: Adventure deeper into the famous Clearwell Caves than ever before and explore the subterranean marvels below. Go semi-deep or dare to go deeper into the labyrinth of 600 acres below. Walk, crawl and descend 200ft underground through natural and mined features.

Golf: Always wanted to pick up a club and take a swing? The stunning Forest Hills Golf Club provides lessons for all ages including junior coaching, there is a driving range to help you practise ideal for wintery weather and for a bit of fun, footgolf!

Cycling: Hire bikes and head out onto the Family Cycle Trail, a 9-mile circular path around the Forest of Dean. You can also choose from a range of lessons from the fundamental basics of mountain biking to honing your core skills to improve your time on the trails. In winter the night rides are especially spectacular.

Photography: Book a private lesson or join a group, or why not try a photowalking session for winter wellbeing.

Cooking: Overcome your fears of the kitchen with Harts Barn Cookery School who offer a huge range of classes including for complete beginners, baking, curry, breadmaking, classes for kids, vegan cooking and more. One-to-one and private classes are available as well as a Hire a Chef experience to bring the cookery school to you!

Falconry: Familiarise yourself with hawks, falcons and owls and the art, and sport of falconry, as well as the beauty, grace and power of these fascinating raptors. A variety of experience days are available as well as days out.

Mosaic Making: Have you always fancied creating your own mosaic but just don’t know where to begin? Rachel Shilston - Inspiring Creativity can show you how, with a range of workshops throughout the year as well as Crafternoon Teas.

Navigation: Finally take those steps to make sure you don't get lost in our vast countryside with Borderlands Outdoor who run a range of map reading and navigation courses across the Wye Valley, Forest of Dean and beyond.

High Ropes: Get in touch with your inner Tarzan and have an adventure amongst the trees, the mighty zip wire adding a final thrill to your day or try the Forest Segway for an unusual way to explore our ancient forest.

Rural Skills: Join Humble by Nature along the Wye Valley for a huge range of classes from rural skills such as hedge laying or dry stone walling to animal husbandry, lambing and how to keep pigs, goats or sheep or crafty classes such as floristry, print making, willow weaving or working with wool.

Archery: Take your stance, draw your bow and release the arrow - the ancient sport of archery is a great, fun activity for all. Other winter sport activities include paintballing and laser tag.

We're immensely proud of our huge range of activity providers here in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley and winter offers more than you might imagine!