Top Things to do in Forest of Dean
Things to do in Forest of Dean, England: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Forest of Dean, United Kingdom including The Forest of Dean, The International Centre for Birds of Prey, Wye Valley and Forest of Dean, Family Cycle Trail, Cannop Cycle Centre, Westbury Court Gardens, Clearwell Caves, Beechenhurst, Wenchford Picnic Site, Symonds Yat Rock.
Restaurants in Forest of Dean
1. The Forest of Dean
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 622 reviews
You'll never be at a loss for something to see and do in the Forest of Dean. With the natural environment, fascinating history and heritage, an array of attractions and activities you can feed your minds and tire your bodies, but will there be enough time to fit it all into one holiday? - Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Association.
Reviewed By l0llc - Maldon, United Kingdom
Absolute stunning beautiful area of natural beauty lots of trekking areas plenty of places of interest to visit
2. The International Centre for Birds of Prey
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,492 reviews
Home to over 230 birds of prey with 3 flying demonstrations a day, come and enjoy the Centre as visitors have been doing for more than 50 years. Explore the gardens and woodland, grab a bite to eat in the cafe and see everything from Pygmy Falcons to Steller's Sea Eagles! COVID Changes - please note that we have restrictions in place. All tickets must be purchased through our website and we have temporarily changed our flying demonstrations to 12pm and 3:30pm.
Reviewed By gailsp - London, United Kingdom
Best flying show I have seen, really interesting education about the birds and very passionate people, the birds welfare is a priority and they do some great work - we loved it so much we stayed for the second flights, highlight was the Sea Eagle in flight and the Burrowing Owl and the x4 kites flying together, peregrine was amazingly fast and the European owl so silent, vultures too were fascinating, highly recommend for everyone - food was good too at the cafe and locally sourced and rubbish recycled. Do go along and support them as I imagine it is very expensive to run, they do rescue work as well and breeding programme for the endangered species.
3. Wye Valley and Forest of Dean
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
Welcome to the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Area - the perfect all year round, all weather holiday destination! Discover a host of great activities and entertainment ... for adventure-seekers, we have mountain biking, cycle tracks, zip-wires, kayaking, for explorers there's a great range of attractions, from the magical Puzzlewood to caves and steam trains, and for something more relaxing, enjoy the Sculpture trail, our many walks, the spectacular views and our many castles, museums and cathedrals.
Reviewed By G3694NYbrianb - Dereham, United Kingdom
The wye valley and the Forest of Dean complement each other as places of great beauty a must be place to visit
4. Family Cycle Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
5. Cannop Cycle Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Cannop Cycle Centre is the starting point for the Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail which consists of eleven miles of waymarked, surfaced tracks. Two singletrack trails have been designed for cyclists looking for a more adventurous ride. The 7.4 mile red grade (difficult) Freeminer Trail and the 7 mile blue grade (moderate) Verderers' Trail. For experienced riders only, there are a number of 'downhill' trails and an uplift service available. A pump track and advanced skills area has been built which can be used as a coaching area / taster area to mountain biking. A pump track is a short circular loop where the rider will go up and down over a series of humps. This propels the rider around using the momentum created by the down slopes without pedalling. As well as this, a couple of short downhill training lines with technical trail features has also been built on the advanced skills area so riders can gradually progress and build up the confidence.
Reviewed By 925MarkT - Winchcombe, United Kingdom
went Friday 17 July 2020, excellent bikes and brilliant staff cycled for 5 hours, bike was pre-booked all great Cafe was open and made great Bacon Rolls and chips for lunch Good ride over varied courses, MTB and family route
6. Westbury Court Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 198 reviews
Reviewed By nim_chauhan - Worcester, United Kingdom
Really pleasant gardens, very well maintained. Must book ahead of arrival at present which is understandable. Expect to be on site for around 1 hour. There are plenty of picnic benches and spots to stop if you have a picnic blanket too. Parking is limited.
7. Clearwell Caves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,052 reviews
While discovering the Forest of Dean, go beneath the Forest floor and discover a whole new world. This is a natural cave system mined for ochre pigments and iron ore for over 4,500 years. Nine caverns have now been opened to visitors, with exciting displays, on your journey through. The Lamp Room Cafe serves delicious cakes, soups, coffees and snacks. There's a great Gift Shop with studio ceramics, jewellery, gems and gifts; a picnic and children's play area. The Cafe, Gift shop and play area, can also be visited separately from the Caves. Nice walks over the surrounding common land (Clearwell Meend). Plenty of free parking. Exciting special events through the year, including underground music and theatre. Try the adventure caving, to the lower levels - check website for dates. Discover the Wonder of Under.
Reviewed By powdies - Bristol, United Kingdom
We went on a rainy weekday afternoon in term time and were lucky enough to have the caves to ourselves throughout our visit. A fascinating self-guided tour through tunnels and caves (part natural, part mined) with a history of local iron-mining given on signboards along the route and effective audiovisual effects and display artefacts. The projection mapping at skeleton pool is stunning. The caves were all the more atmospheric for being crowd-free. Cool underground, so sensible shoes and warm clothing required. Well worth the visit.
8. Beechenhurst
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
Beechenhurst lies in the heart of the forest, and is a great place to start your adventure in the Forest of Dean. Beechenhurst is the starting point for the famous Sculpture Trail, there are additional waymarked walks of varying lengths beginning from the site, and for visitors bringing their own bikes to the forest, Beechenhurst is an ideal start point for the Family Cycle Trail. Adventurous visitors can enjoy the junior version of Go Ape which is aimed at 6-12 year olds. The course can be found at the edge of the main car park. The onsite climbing tower is an exciting way to let off steam! 36 routes from easy to extreme and 2 vertical abseils. Great for children and adults, friends, families and group bookings. Check the Forest of Dean Adventure website for opening times. Archery sessions can also be booked. Beechenhurst cafe serves food from 8.30am everyday. The menu encompasses locally sourced food with a variety of specials and childrens meals available
Reviewed By SasPetAV - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Lots of well marked trails, we took the Sculpture Trail. Lots to see and do along the way to keep the kids and adults interested.
9. Wenchford Picnic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By EmmaJDunn - Stroud, United Kingdom
Visited today for the first time. We got there at 9am & had the place to ourselves until 11am! Parking was free as we have a 'discovery pass' but otherwise its very reasonable. Handy toilets on site & little cafe opened at lunchtime - handy for post picnic icecream! The boys (6&9) paddled & played with their water pistols for hours. Day was only ruined by an inconsiderate dog owner who selfishly allowed their three large labradors (not on leads) to take over the 'paddling pond' causing all the children to vacate to the grass. Will definitely be back during the summer holidays.
10. Symonds Yat Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,136 reviews
Reviewed By galactus2013 - Hailsham, United Kingdom
The views from the platform are fantastic and if you visit at the right time the RSPB are there with telescopes so you can view the birds of prey by the river, Great walks around the area as well.
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