THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO GO

Whether you are into forest or floatation tank bathing or more active adventures like paddle-boarding or mountain biking, the Forest of Dean is full of amazing pleasures to discover. You can visit the historic Tintern Abbey, Chepstow, Goodrich or Raglan castles or get down to earth with some foraging (a guide can be arranged – ask us for details). Wander from Nuthatch for a picnic by a stream in the forest (a rug can be provided on request). Here are some select activities in the area.

Relaxation and Wellbeing
Float in the Forest - Float effortlessly on the surface of water and experience the deepest relaxation you’ll ever feel. Add some immersive light therapy to the experience too for added wonder and a meditative experience.
Just Be Therapies - Swedish & deep tissue massage and facials in a lovely therapy space.
Freedom Yoga and Relaxation - One-to-one sessions, group classes and yoga therapy from the experienced, compassionate and kind Carolyn.
St Anthony’s Well - Ancient sacred spring (take a bottle to fill) and stone plunge pool (pack a cossie) for this cold water therapy amongst the trees. Featured in Countryfile’s list of best wild swimming spots in Britain.
The Garden Retreat - A lovely team at this health and beauty setting in Lydney - many treatments available.
Cycling, walking and other adventures
Tudor Farmhouse Hotel - Experience e-bike or nature safaris, foraging, creative days as well as lovely food and afternoon teas.
Peddle a Bike Away - Well equipped bike hire, bike shop and cafe based at the Cannop Cycle Centre - the gateway to The Colliers Cycle trail.
Dean forest cycles - Bike hire in Parkend.
Wye Bikes - E-bike and kids bike hire (bikes can be delivered to Nuthatch).
Beechenhurt walks and cycle paths, cafe & Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail Free but parking costs.
RSPB Nagsdead Reserve - See pied flycatchers and redstarts in Spring & all 3 British woodpecker species.
Woorgreens Nature reserve - A wonderful place to spot bird life, dragonflies and damselflies. Conservation grazing means you may also come across Exmoor ponies, highland cattle or Hebridean sheep all roaming free amongst the forest and woodland paths.
Inspire2Adventure - Guided canoe trips, Stand Up Paddle Boarding and gorge scrambling.
Go Ape - High wire adventures or Segways by Mallards Pike lake. Go Ape for kids is at Beechenhurst.
Borderlands Outdoor - Caving, climbing, bushcraft, archery and other outdoor activities
Lydney Park Estate Gardens - Roman Temple and rhododendrons galore. Open on select days in the spring.
Court Farm Lakes - Wild Swimming, SUP Yoga and Retreat days at this lovely spot with a little cafe.
Swim Wild Wye - Wild Swimming in the river Wye.
Dean Forest Railway - Train rides and experience on a 4.5 mile heritage line running amongst woodland and countryside.
Creativity and plants
Wye Valley Flowers - Flower Farm; growing, floristry and seasonal flower workshops and courses, plus flower shop run by the lovely Jo Thompson.
Chris Lewis Jewellery Design - Jewellery-making workshops and bespoke commissions
Harts Barn Cookery School - Cookery experiences.
Taurus Crafts - Creativity, crafts, cafe and shopping plus Coinros Garden Centre (good value).
Leaf Creative - Wonderful garden centre with good cafe set amongst lovely mature planting inside and out. Events and pop-ups too.
Rachel Shilston - Craft workshops, Mosaics and more.
Wye Valley Sculpture garden - 3 acres of garden on the wooden slopes of the AONB.
Eastnor Pottery - creative and fun potter's wheel experiences from their idyllic studio on the Eastnor Castle estate.
Yat Pottery - ceramics and painting lessons in the heart of Ross-on-Wye
Food and drink
Hips Social - Fantastic family-run cafe serving brunch, burritos, salads, burgers and sweet treats.
Hips Harbourside - Little sister of the above serving toasties, coffees, cake and ice-cream, down by Lydney Harbour.
Tudor Farmhouse Hotel - high-end hotel restaurant with relaxed and friendly vibe. Great for a nice meal or just afternoon tea and tasty chips.
The Globe - Good quality, classic pub grub with consistently good service and a size-able beer garden. Family-friendly too.
Railway Tandoori at the Railway Inn - local pub with in-house tandoori if you’re in the mood for Indian cuisine.
The Speech House Hotel - Formal and casual dining at a 17th Century hunting lodge in the middle of the forest.
The George in Newnham - community-run cafe serving light lunches, cake and coffee plus bakery, pop-up events, exhibitions in the gallery.
Severn & Wye Smokery - high-end fish restaurant serving breakfast in the cafe, lunch and dinner in upstairs restaurant and a take-away street food van on Fridays & Saturdays. Plus fish counter, deli and homewares.
Forest Deli - Award-winning cheese shop and deli from a knowledgeable husband-and-wife team sharing local, delicious delights.
Hanley Farm Shop - more local produce, cheese and deli counter plus cafe with good standard fare.
Leaf Creative cafe (see above)
Venues for Weddings and Events
Naas Court Farm - Beautiful contemporary Wedding Barn licensed for ceremonies, nestled between River Severn and the Forest of Dean (5mins).
St Tewdrics House - Award winning 19th Century Italianate Villa just over the border in Wales, set in 10 acres of idyllic countryside (20mins).
Pauntley Court - Stunning country house and gardens for intimate weddings and retreats and the birthplace of Dick Whittington! (35mins)

WITH CHILDREN

Puzzlewood

An ancient and magical woodland site and tourist attraction with family activities. A unique environment used as a TV & Film location for Star Wars, Dr Who, Merlin etc.

Perrygrove Railway Adventure

A narrow gauge railway meanders through the woods and meadows of Perrygrove. Passengers alight at the stations on the way in order to enjoy exciting play areas and woodland walks. Perfect for smaller children. A dog friendly, family run attraction. Take a picnic!

Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo

It’s indoors, it’s tropical and it’s teeming with exotic butterflies. The Jubilee Maze is one of Britain’s most famous traditional hedge mazes.

The Dean Heritage Centre

Just 2mins up the road. Museum showing the heritage and culture of the Forest of Dean. Five acres to explore, with Gruffoalo trail, a small play area and a variety of interesting and unique attractions set against a spectacular backdrop.

Clearwell Caves

Underneath the mysterious Royal Forest of Dean lies a hidden world, spectacular and unseen, a vast natural cave system that has been mined for thousands of years. Great of halloween and Christmas.

Bathurst Pool

A family friendly Lido run by volunteers that is open in the summer months, May-Sept. Pot Noodles and oven chips - Old Skool!

Beechenhurst

Ideal place for families to start their forest adventure, with a Gruffalo Party Trail, Sculpture Trail, play area and Go Ape Tree Top Adventure. You can even bring your bikes and access the wider forest on our Family Cycle Trail. Picnic tables and bookable BBQs.

Taurus Crafts

A vibrant visitor centre where you can find a wide range of arts and crafts. Childrens workshops and activity trails during school holidays. Home to a fantastic range of independent businesses.

Krazy Golf Lydney

A 15 hole crazy Golf set in an acre of picturesque woodland. Found just across from Taurus Crafts.

WANDERS AND WONDERS

Walks from the doorstep

There a many loops you can do from the front door, from a 30min to a couple of hours+ depending on your mood. Heading over the main road and zigzag-ing up the hill past The Rocks and on into the woodland proper is always a good start and you can take various directions once up at the top. A few options to get you started but we also recommend borrowing the OS map and following your nose. The links below will take you to online OS maps.

● 30min loop down through the farm and back, via a little rope swing and wild garlic in Spring.
● 1h45 loop down to the Brook and towards Soudley and back.
● 1-2hr loop up into the woods and round to Wenchford picnic spot. Scenic stream walk

A short drive away

● Head to Mallards Pike, Soudley Ponds, or Beechenhurst to park up at these Forestry England spots and head on various loops from there. Head 9mins to Lydney Harbour for very different vistas of the Severn and and pop into Hips Cafe outpost for coffee and cake.

Within a 25min drive