Welcome to the Forest of Dean, a picturesque part of West Gloucestershire that has a surprising amount of attractions to tempt visitors and holidaymakers to the area. The Forest of Dean district is located close to the River Wye and River Severn, with the City of Gloucester laying to the East. Surrounded by water, the area also contains a variety of towns and villages, tourist attractions, and of course the principle feature, 110 Sq Km of ancient woodland.
With a focus on the outdoors, this is the perfect place to visit for sports and nature lovers. Leisure activities include Canoeing at Wyedean Canoe and Adventure Centre, Horse Riding at Forest of Dean Equestrian Centre, Cycling at the Fodca Mountain Bike Trail, and Walks like the Daffodil Way or Wysis Way. It’s also a good spot for golf, picnics, and plant/animal spotting. There are over 30 species of Butterfly in the area, Roe Deer, Fungi, and many species of insects and plants to record and photograph. If planning an itinerary is a problem, then a visit to the Forest of Dean won’t be a problem, as there are plenty of informative tour guides available for walking tours and guided coach trips.
Alongside the forest, there are the Forest of Dean towns and villages to explore, each with their own character, history, and attractions. As an example, you could pay a visit to the market town of Newent, which houses the Shambles Victorian Village, Newent Lake, Cowdy Glass Gallery, the well known Three Choirs Vineyard, and a National Bird Of Prey Centre. Or there’s the former mining town of Cinderford, well known for its Indian Restaurants, Cinderford Arts Space, and the nearby Dean Heritage Centre. Also worth a visit is the town of Lydney, host to a Steam Railway, Lydney Docks, and the Lydney Park Estate with its Spring Gardens and Craft Centre.
This is just a snapshot of what you’ll find if you explore the Forest of Dean. There are of course other attractions as well. Why not check out the old Iron Mine at Clearwell Caves, the vast Elton Farm Mazes, or Caldicot Castle and Country Park. There’s also the scenic Riverside Shopping available at Abbey Mill, Dick Wittingdon Farm Park, and the Nelson Museum and Local History Centre.
To complement all these attractions, you’ll find the Forest of Dean is well equipped to deal with all your wining, dining, shopping and accommodation needs, whether you’re looking for a modern restaurant, a local gift shop, a country inn, or luxury hotel. It’s all here ready and waiting, all you have to do is pack your bags and head up to this enchanting part of Gloucestershire.
