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The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is ideally suited for school and youth groups with ancient history and modern activities, fun experiences and unique locations.
You'll find that many of our businesses have special resources for school trips to help make your planning even easier: Puzzlewood has learning resources for six educational topics that cover different aspects of the National Curriculum; The Dean Heritage Centre – the ‘museum of the Forest’ – has a learning catalogue for schools with a range of options; The Dean Forest Railway can run workshops, museum and signal box tours and has three educational fact sheets to cover KS1-3. Clearwell Caves, Hopewell Colliery and many other businesses offer guided tours for school groups too.
Outdoor activities include bushcraft, wildlife safaris and birdwatching tours, watersports, rock climbing and abseiling. You'll also find that a number of activities can be provided at other locations, for example bushcraft or archery can often come to you, and if staying overnight many accommodation providers can organise activities on site. You’ll also find several businesses who provide a range of activities and could put on a half-day, full day or multi-day package for you meaning less time on the coach and more time making memories and taking in the beautiful scenery.
Looking for an overnight stay? We have youth hostels in medieval castles and in idyllic locations alongside the River Wye and we have a youth campsite especially suited for school trips with direct access to the river ideal for watersports.
All of our hostels and bunkhouses can be found here.
All of our campsites can be found here.
You can also see a full list of everything there is to see and do suitable for large coaches here. This includes picturesque and free locations such as Symonds Yat Rock and the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail which are also ideal for bird spotting and learning about the natural world. We have local tour guides who can provide talks too.
Number of results: 45
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Hereford
Hereford Cathedral is home to the Mappa Mundi & Chained Library and a community which has worked and worshipped together continuously for over 1,300 years.
Ross-On-Wye
We are your Wye Valley Canoe, Kayak and Paddleboard hire experts...
Based in beautiful Symonds Yat West, with online booking your river Wye adventure couldn't be simpler. We cater for couples, families and groups and have a range of self-guided trips for you to choose from.
Monmouth
Outdoor Training and Adventure in the Wye Valley & South Wales Borderlands.
Climbing, Caving, Archery, Bushcraft, Navigation Training and more
Twigworth
Nature in art is unique - it is the world’s only museum dedicated to art inspired by nature. Displays embrace two and three-dimensional work in all mediums and styles, spanning 1500 years, 60 countries and over 600 artists.
Coleford
You will marvel at the underground rock formations and become charged with pride as you beat the underground challenges, you will also discover the fascinating history of the area you are caving in. Your instructors are keen cavers, with a wealth of experience. A very rewarding experience with a fantastic sense of achievement, building up your skills during the day and beginners are very welcome on this underground trip of discovery.
Price: Contact us for details
Length of experience: 3 to 5 hours
Forest of Dean
Ed is a local naturalist introducing people to wildlife and birdsong and experiencing nature in an enjoyable way and will leave you wanting to see and hear more. He provides wildlife safari experiences and dawn chorus bird walks in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, ideal for visitors to immerse themselves in natural surroundings and have a truly unique Dean Wye experience.
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: £20 per person
Length of experience: 1½ hours
Coleford
Activities include Climbing, Canoe & Kayak adventures. Cave experiences. Archery, Bivouac weekends and more. Experienced and Qualified instructors.
Parkend
Nagshead is an RSPB Nature Reserve, the largest in the Forest of Dean. It is an ideal spot for birdwatching and wildlife spotting with woodland walks, ponds and hides. In spring watch for pied flycatchers and buzzards. In winter look for crossbills and hawfinches.
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
Speech House Road, Coleford
Experience a world beneath the Forest - see and hear what it’s like to work in the mines beneath the Forest of Dean and toil to win the minerals from the earth! Don a hard hat and learn about the history of mining from a true Forest freeminer.
Price: Adults £10, Child £8, Family discounts
Length of experience: 45 to 60 minutes
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
Eastnor
Remarkable pottery experiences for individuals, groups and organisations. We work with thousands of workshop participants, all ages and abilities, sharing the many benefits of working with clay.
Littledean Road, Newnham
The perfect alternative to paintball, with adrenaline-pumping games and missions in a beautiful rural location in the Forest of Dean, without the need for sweaty face masks and of course no bruises!
Price: £20 per person
Length of experience: 2 hours
Monmouth
Stand-up paddleboarding, gorge scrambling, guided kayaking and rock climbing in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean. Join us for an introduction, a half-day or full day of activities on rivers, gorges and rock faces in this stunning area. Fun, adventurous, and suitable for all ages and skill levels, we provide everything you need and teach you techniques, taking any fears away and making sure you have a great day out.
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.
Lydney
Enjoy a relaxing journey along the Dean Forest Railway behind one of our steam locomotives. Looking for something a little extra? Add a takeaway cream tea or afternoon tea to your trip when placing your booking (and make them extra fancy with a 20cl bottle of prosecco!), available for pickup from Whistles Cafe before your train ride.
Price: Adults £14, Child £7
Length of experience: 1½ hours
Wye Valley
Spectacular Happenings in an Outstanding Landscape.
Join us for the next biennial Wye Valley River Festival, running from 3 - 12 May 2024. The festival will be appearing in woodlands, streets and village greens throughout the Valley - brimful of music, theatre, extraordinary creatures, fantastical mobile devices, trumpets, songs and laughter. Events are mostly free to attend, and everyone is welcome (including well-behaved dogs!). Audiences can expect a vibrant program of performances to entertain and amaze, experiences to…
Clydach
There's lots of fun to be had, climbing waterfalls and scrambling over rocks, as well as a few challenges along the way (depending on how brave you are!) - from balancing along ledges above the water to venturing through a tunnel with water rushing through. Conquer those fears and you'll feel a fantastic sense of achievement. Gorge Scrambling is suitable for all ages.
Price: £46 per adult & £37 per child
Length of experience: 2½ hours
Symonds Yat East
Enjoy a cruise on the River Wye through the beautiful Wye Valley from Symonds Yat East. Sit back, enjoy the scenery and relax. Dogs welcome. Group bookings with onboard catering are available.
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*Visit Dean Wye is the trading name of Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Limited.