An introduction to the Forest of Dean

If you’re looking for somewhere to get away from it all, where nature surrounds you and the views are outstanding, where history can be discovered and footsteps into a fantasy land can be followed, then you’ve found it in the Forest of Dean. These ancient royal hunting grounds cover more than 8000 hectares giving you plenty of things to do during your holiday here. As you swing, walk and cycle through the trees the beauty will take your breathe away. Find sculptures, deer and wild boar, the inspiration of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and so much more.

It can be hard to know where to start when you visit for the first time. Here’s our showcase to the unmissable top spots!

Puzzlewood

Step into a world of wizardry, time travel and mystery in a place like no other, Puzzlewood. Acting as inspiration for authors, film crews, and all the families that visit it is easy to see why it deserves to be on our list. Follow the paths through this twisty turning wonderland of moss-covered rocks and gnarled trees. At each turn a new natural wonder reveals itself. You might find some familiar looking spots as Star Wars, Doctor Who and much more have been filmed here. Puzzlewood is also home to a menagerie of farmyard animals and it’s a great place for twitchers to hunt down the local birdlife. After all the adventures, you can visit the café to refuel before exploring the willow maze and play area.

At a glance:

Puzzlewood, Perrygrove Road, Coleford GL16 8QB

Open daily April to October. Limited opening March and November. Closed December

Dogs not allowed

Beechenhurst

Dive straight into the forest at Beechenhurst for your first snippet of this historic area. Found right in the centre of the Forest of Dean you are instantly immersed in this exciting atmosphere and there are so many ways you can spend your day here. Follow one of the walking routes, join the family-friendly cycle trail, head to the play area or go sky-high at Go Ape. For a serene experience the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail is here. This inspiring and immersive collection of artworks has been left to become one with the forest. Take a break for lunch at the café or if you’ve brought your own picnic there’s plenty of space to spread out on the grass looking across the trees.

At a glance:

Speech House Road, Coleford, GL16 7EL

Parking – on-site, £8.50 all day

Dogs allowed

Clearwell Caves

Deep beneath the Forest of Dean lie the Clearwell Caves where over 4500 years of mining history can be explored. This secret world of echoing caverns and tranquil pools gives you a taste of what it would have been like to work in these mines. You can choose to explore these caves on a self-guided journey seeing tools that would have been used to work this ochre, and you can buy these natural colours in the on-site shop today. One of the caves is used as a spectacular backdrop for theatre and concerts, check to see what’s on before you visit! Adventurers can go even deeper, scrambling and crawling beyond the areas usually open to tourists.

At a glance:

The Rocks, Clearwell, Coleford GL16 8JR

Check online to see what dates are available for booking

Dogs not allowed in the mines, however, can access the café, gift shop, and surrounding walks

Dean Forest Railway

You’ve been high up in the trees and down into the caves, now it’s time to see the Forest of Dean from a quaint heritage train ride. Slowing down the pace it is a relaxing way to see this area, travelling between Lydney and Parkend, with a few stops along the way. As the train gently chugs along, the ever-changing view flows past. Stop off at the Norchard station to visit the museum with its range of railway artefacts and follow a footpath along the neighbouring river before hopping back on the train to the end of the line. When you reach Parkend you can visit one of the pubs for a meal or head over to Nagshead Nature Reserve, a world of ancient oaks home to woodpeckers, deer and wild boar.

Book on for a murder mystery, fish & chip supper or a gin train for a unique experience!

At a glance:

Norchard Station, Forest Road, Lydney, GL15 4ET

Check the timetable online for arrivals and departures. Steam trains run Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from mid-March to early November

Mallard’s Pike and Cannop Ponds

These two popular picnic and walking sites with beautiful lakeside views are deep in the forest. Linked by the Colliers Trail you can cycle between the two sites! Enjoy these tranquil environments following lakeside paths spotting ducks, swans and maybe a glimpse of an elusive wild boar. At Mallard’s Pike, the larger of the two, younger adventurers can search for the Gruffalo, head out on the Go Ape trail or maybe hire a segway and follow the safari guide for an hour-long exploration of the forest. If you’ve still got any energy left, there are a choice of easy to follow running trails ranging from 2km to 10km.

At a glance:

Mallard’s Pike, Parkend, Gloucestershire, GL15 4HD

Cannop Ponds, West Dean, Lydney, GL15 4JS

Parking all day – Mallard’s Pike £7.50, Cannop Ponds £5

Dogs allowed

A bite to eat

After all this exploring it must be time for some dinner! The Forest of Dean is home to some great local pubs that offer a friendly welcome and a hearty meal. The George Inn at Aylburton is just outside Lydney, perfect for when you’ve hopped off the steam train. Order a home-cooked meal with your favourite pint and dine in the beer garden while the kids enjoy the play area. If you’ve been at Cannop Ponds, The Ostrich Inn at Coleford serve locally sourced ingredients in seasonal dishes giving you a fresh taste of the forest.

At a glance:

The George Inn, Aylburton, GL15 6DE

The Ostrich Inn, Coleford, GL16 8NP

Dogs allowed with bike storage at The George Inn