Top Things to do in Forest of Dean
What to do and see in Forest of Dean, England: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do
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, Hopewell Colliery, The Palace Cinema Cinderford, Coleford Great Western Railway Museum, Hot Pot Pottery - pottery activity centre, Clearwell Caves, Pedalabikeaway, Symonds Yat Rock, Go Ape.
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. Hopewell Colliery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 295 reviews
Reviewed By whiteleybob - Fareham, United Kingdom
Fascinating one hour tour with a short walk down the pit. Very informative and insightful. Couldn’t fault Richard who was our patient guide (and also a miner) - a real character with a great sense of humour. Loved it. Great cafe too.
4. The Palace Cinema Cinderford
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By rebeccacT7040RQ - Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
This is our family's favourite cinema in the area......let me tell you why. You are assured of a warm welcome in this wonderful cinema with very affordable prices for families. Housed in an Art Deco building with original fixtures and fittings, tickets are priced at £3.50 and reasonably priced refreshments include a range of hot & cold drinks, savoury snacks, sweets and popcorn in a variety of bucket sizes to suit. The seats are comfortable and it's warm and cosy, with two screens: a large screen downstairs (which has some double seats) and a smaller one upstairs. Great for children's birthday visits, as the cinema has a lovely Art Deco cafe room at the back where families can meet up to drop off their children beforehand - it's like stepping back in time. Always showing the latest films and a matinee available too. We love the Palace!
5. Coleford Great Western Railway Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 48 reviews
A Museum housed in the original G.W.R. Goods station of 1883! The Great western railway Museum is housed in one of the last remaining permanent railway buildings left in the Forest of Dean on the original site of Coleford's railway yard. Its full of local railway history and artefacts it also has a 71/4 gauge miniature railway which runs around its site for all age groups! also has a full size Peckett locomotive in the engine shed and restored signal box.
Reviewed By Y2201VRandrewb
The volunteers were very friendly and demonstrated the signal box providing a lot of interesting detail on the equipment and methods used. A trip round on the miniature steam railway and a good look round the museum - packed with items and information on the railways of the area. Good value for money. Very enjoyable few hours!
6. Hot Pot Pottery - pottery activity centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
A friendly country pottery activity centre and gallery offering pottery trial classes, pottery painting kits for hire, one day wheel throwing workshops and bookable private browsing time in their pottery gallery.
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. Pedalabikeaway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Cycling for all abilities in the Forest of Dean. Traffic free trails with bike hire, cafe, bike shop, and workshop. The trails at Pedalabikeaway include Family cycling, mountain biking and extreme downhill lines, providing something for everyone.
9. 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.
10. Go Ape
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 383 reviews
If you're looking for activities in the Forest of Dean then we think everyone has the Go Ape spirit just waiting to be unleashed! Go Ape Mallards Pike Lake, Forest of Dean Tree Top Adventure at Mallards Pike. We'll brief you for safety before you fly down an epic zip wire, leap off our Tarzan Swing and tackle our high ropes crossings whilst enjoying some of Britain's most breathtaking scenery. At Mallards Pike our Forest Segways are loose! Our popular Segway experience has landed at the Forest of Dean. We're bringing you down from the trees and onto solid ground, from two legs to two wheels - it's a totally unique way to tackle the trails and enjoy Gloucestershire's finest woodlands. Go Ape Beechenhurst Lodge, Forest of Dean (...three miles away from Mallards Pike Lake) NEW to Beechenhurst Lodge. The Forest of Dean is now home to our Treetop Adventure for Mini Tarzans. Release your little monkeys onto a Go Ape course designed for them. No one loves adventure more than kids!
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