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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 81 to 100.
Chepstow
Historic path along cliffs overlooking the River Wye popular during the Wye Tour. Part of the Wye Valley Walk north of Chepstow and leading to the Eagle's Nest Viewpoint.
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.
Ruardean Hill
The highest point in the Forest of Dean at 290m high with a beacon and a memorial to miners killed in the local collieries. The beacon was built in 2002 and is lit to commemorate important occasions. This was followed by the statue of a crouching miner installed in 2008 and the memorial in 2017. Together they represent a striking feature on the hill.
Lords Hill, Coleford
We challenge you to not smile on an a E-Bike ride! Not only do you get to explore more of the beautiful Forest of Dean & Wye Valley, you don’t have to worry about climbing off your bike and pushing it uphill when the going gets tough.
Price: £93 Per Adult (minimum of 2) Including 2 Junior Frog Bikes
Length of experience: 6 hours.
Forest of Dean & Wye Valley
Bespoke outdoor 2 or 4 hour one to one photography experience led by an experienced professional. Bookable any day and at any time, David has a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you master capturing the shot – whatever your favourite subject matter. Learn at your own pace with lots of time for assignment-based learning.
Price: £65 pp or £125 pp
Length of Experience: 2 hours or 4 hours
Newent
Large picturesque lake surrounded by park not far from the centre of Newent town.
Lydney Park Estate, Lydney
Design and make a colourful and charming mini mosaic to hang in your home, whilst enjoying some tea and sweet treats. The perfect combination – plenty of craft and of course lashings of cake!
Price: £48 per person
Length of experience: 3 hours
Monmouth
Easy to learn, fun to do, Inspire2Adventure offers stand-up paddleboard experiences! Suitable for all ages and all abilities, you can explore the River Wye on a single paddleboard or/and try our mega-SUP, which can accommodate up to eight people - cue endless fun and games for families, groups, hens and stags trying to paddle together!
Price: £36 per person
Length of experience: 2 hours
Symonds Yat East
Rock climbing adventure in the stunning Wye Valley. Perfect bonding activity for businesses, families and friends. Friendly, qualified instructors to help get you past the butterflies. Combine with any of our other activities for a full day of adventure.
Price: TBA
Length of experience: 3 hours
Pillowell
Visit artists in their workshops and galleries during the annual Open Studios Event in the Forest of Dean, Wye Valley, along the Severn and Gloucester.
Parkend
Enjoy a taste of mountain biking with our friendly experienced guides. These sessions are individually tailored to each family, to ensure all have a wonderful cycling experience to remember. No need to be an experienced rider or even own your own bike to take advantage and enjoy this taste of mountain biking!
Price: £160 per family of 4
Length of experience: 3 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.
Grosmont
Grosmont Castle is a ruined castle in the village of Grosmont, Monmouthshire, one of a trio of Monmouthshire fortresses known as the ‘Three Castles’ – which includes White Castle and Skenfrith – built to control the border. The fortification was established by the Normans in the wake of the invasion of England in 1066. It experienced an active life including being besieged in the Glyndŵr Rising rebellion of 1405.
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.
Caldicott
Black Rock is on the Monmouthshire coastline of the Severn Estuary between the two Severn bridges. There is a picnic site and the location gives fantastic panoramic views of the estuary and both bridges. Black Rock is the home of a traditional method of fishing which has been practiced for hundreds of years and and also historic links with much earlier ways of crossing the river.
Symonds Yat West
Enjoy caving at Symonds Yat in the Wye Valley. Qualified, experienced instructors to guide you through the darkness. Suitable for families, groups of friends and corporate team development.
Price: TBA
Length of experience: 3 hours
Symonds Yat East
Abseil from up to 90 feet high cliffs. Thrilling activity for adventure seekers. Stunning locations in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean border area.
Qualified and experienced instructors.
Price: TBA
Length of experience: 3 hours
Eastnor
Super fun and themed hand modelling ‘makes’ for kids and grown-ups. Projects change every three months providing a unique and creative activity for families in the school holidays – including half-term. Price includes tuition, materials and firing.
Price: £40 per person
Length of experience: 1.5 hours
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.
Symonds Yat West
Learn basic survival skills on one of our hands-on bushcraft courses. We’ll lead you through the priorities of survival and a range of techniques for living comfortably in the wild. Our friendly instructors will introduce you to primitive survival skills from a time when life moved more slowly and thoughtfully.
Price: TBA
Length of experience: 3 hours
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*Visit Dean Wye is the trading name of Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Limited.