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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
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Cinderford
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 Cinderford has facilities and activities to suit everyone including gym, fitness classes, swimming, squash and tennis.
Newent
Large picturesque lake surrounded by park not far from the centre of Newent town.
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
A full day of cycle hire with bike delivery and collection including a dog trailer so you and your pooch can enjoy a day of fun in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
Price: £80 per person/minimum of 2 adults
Length of experience: 6 hours
Ross-on-Wye
Standing in scenic countryside above the River Wye, Goodrich Castle is one of the finest and best preserved of all English medieval castles. Boasting a remarkable history and unforgettable views from the battlements, it promises a great day out for all the family.
Hereford
Viking Games in the Herefordshire hills
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.
Symonds Yat East
If this is your first climb, we'll give you the confidence to have a go at this exhilarating sport. And for more experienced climbers, there is plenty of opportunity to challenge yourself and develop your skills. We'll teach you how to descend a cliff using ropes, safely and in a controlled way. There are a range of abseils available, from approximately 30ft - 85ft - remember to try and enjoy the beautiful views on the way down!
Price: £46 per adult, £37 per child
Length of experience: Half day
An arboretum full of unusual and interesting trees in the heart of the Forest of Dean next to the Speech House Hotel.
Longhope
Rain or Shine, the Dick Whittington Park at Longhope offers a range of family attractions for both adults and children to enjoy.
Picturesque ponds, home to lots of wildlife. Great picnic area and central for walks and cycle paths.
Lydney
Formerly the site of the New Fancy coal mine, the old spoil heap now provides spectacular views across the Forest. Great for birdwatching and for woodland walks. Easy access to Mallards Pike and Speech House Woods.
Monmouth
Canoe and kayak hire on the River Wye. Families and large groups welcomed including the dog. Qualified instruction available.
Lydney
15 hole Krazy Golf with a theme based on local attractions, games barn, Footpool, outdoor garden games. On site cafe or bring your own picnic.
Blakeney
A popular picnic site with picnic tables, an easy access path and a paddling area
Coleford
We are a brand new cycle hire company located in the hidden gem that is the Forest of Dean. We will provide a range of leading bike brands, including 2021 E-bikes from Cube and the latest children's bikes from Frog. As well as a wide range of bikes for all ages and abilities, we will offer tag-alongs, trailers for younger children and even specific trailers for the family dog!
Newnham
We are friendly and welcoming community hub in the Direst of Dean in the attractive Severnside village of Newnham on Severn. After a fundraising campaign which started in 2018, our historic building was secured by the community in 2021 and has undergone an extensive and sympathetic renovation to provide a mixed-use hub for local people (and visitors) to enjoy.
Longhope
The award-winning Forest Bakehouse is a cooperative bakery based in the village of Longhope, in the beautiful Forest of Dean. Our main focus is creating highly nutritious bread and pastries using locally milled organic flour, free from any unnecessary ingredients or additives.
Cinderford
A haven for wildlife and the surrounding paths are suitable for the less able and wheelchair users
Eastbach (Near English Bicknor),
A cosy country pottery offering a wide range of pottery activities, workshops, classes and experiences for all ages, levels of ability & budgets in the Forest of Dean. Here is a taster of what we offer.
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*Visit Dean Wye is the trading name of Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Limited.