Emma & Eileen’s guidebook
Family Days Out
Ancient woodland which has been used in various films. Cafe and animals on site. Need to book.
159 residents recomanen
Bosc de Puzzles
Perrygrove RoadAncient woodland which has been used in various films. Cafe and animals on site. Need to book.
Open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturdays all year round and every day in the school holidays. Booking is advised.
55 residents recomanen
Ferrocaril de Perrygrove
Perrygrove RoadOpen Tuesday, Thursday, Saturdays all year round and every day in the school holidays. Booking is advised.
Clearwell Caves
The RocksOnline booking and face masks required
Large playground, cafe, walks and cycling. Also junior go ape (booking required)
62 residents recomanen
Beechenhurst Lodge
Speech House RoadLarge playground, cafe, walks and cycling. Also junior go ape (booking required)
Cafe, Go Ape, Segways, walking and cycling. The Rising Sun pub is nice for a drink on the way home. Turn first left on the way back.
45 residents recomanen
Llac de Mallards Pike
Cafe, Go Ape, Segways, walking and cycling. The Rising Sun pub is nice for a drink on the way home. Turn first left on the way back.
Farm Park with large indoor and outdoor play area, animals and tractor and trailer rides. Booking by phone.
33 residents recomanen
Raglan Farm Park
Chepstow RoadFarm Park with large indoor and outdoor play area, animals and tractor and trailer rides. Booking by phone.
Animal conservation and outdoor fun in Bristol, approx 35 mins. Pre-booking essential. One of our favourite 'animal' places to go.
63 residents recomanen
Wild Place Project
Blackhorse HillAnimal conservation and outdoor fun in Bristol, approx 35 mins. Pre-booking essential. One of our favourite 'animal' places to go.
Forest of Dean Adventure Golf
Mini golf. Need to book slots due to COVID
Crazy Golf in Nearby Lydney. Next to Taurus Crafts arts and crafts centre. Nice cafe at Taurus Crafts. Crazy Golf open Thursday to Sunday from 1st September. Phone to book.
Krazy Golf Lydney
A48Crazy Golf in Nearby Lydney. Next to Taurus Crafts arts and crafts centre. Nice cafe at Taurus Crafts. Crazy Golf open Thursday to Sunday from 1st September. Phone to book.
Museum, Gruffalo trail and cafe. Open Thursday- Sunday 10am-3pm. See website for more details
52 residents recomanen
Dean Heritage Centre
Museum, Gruffalo trail and cafe. Open Thursday- Sunday 10am-3pm. See website for more details
Steam Train rides through the Forest. See website for bookings.
46 residents recomanen
Ferrocaril del Bosc de Dean
Steam Train rides through the Forest. See website for bookings.
Elton Giant Mazes and Activities Maze
Giant maize maze
Kingfisher Cruises Symonds Yat
River Trips down the Wye from Symonds Yet East.
Taurus Crafts
Arts and Crafts centre with local products. Cafe onsite.
Indoor and outdoor family fun. See website for COVID restrictions
49 residents recomanen
Cattle Country Farm Park
Indoor and outdoor family fun. See website for COVID restrictions
Historical days out
Ruined Monastry in the picturesque village of Tintern. Need to book 24 hours in advance. Check website for opening times. The Anchor Inn and the White Monk cafe and shop for food, shopping and gifts.
167 residents recomanen
Abadia de Tintern / Abaty Tyndryn
Ruined Monastry in the picturesque village of Tintern. Need to book 24 hours in advance. Check website for opening times. The Anchor Inn and the White Monk cafe and shop for food, shopping and gifts.
Book 24 hours in advance due to COVID restrictions. Approx 2 hour visit. Great views of the River Wye. Good pub/bar next to car park (The Three Tuns). Easy walk into Chepstow town from car park. Coffee one in town is great.
112 residents recomanen
Chepstow Castle
Book 24 hours in advance due to COVID restrictions. Approx 2 hour visit. Great views of the River Wye. Good pub/bar next to car park (The Three Tuns). Easy walk into Chepstow town from car park. Coffee one in town is great.
Littledean Jail
Church StreetCheck website for COVID restrictions
Castell de Raglan
Castle RoadBook tickets 24 hours in advance via website
Action and Adventure
Singletrack trails for all abilities and family leisure cycling. Bike hire and cafe. Pre-book for bike hire.
97 residents recomanen
Pedalabikeaway
New RoadSingletrack trails for all abilities and family leisure cycling. Bike hire and cafe. Pre-book for bike hire.
Singletrack trails for all abilities with uplift. Approx 1hr 20 mins drive.
128 residents recomanen
Parc de bicicletes de Gal·les
Singletrack trails for all abilities with uplift. Approx 1hr 20 mins drive.
Tree top challenge with Zip wires. Need to book. Min age 10, min height 1.4m
94 residents recomanen
Go Ape Forest of Dean (Mallards Pike - Treetop Challenge i Forest Segway)
Tree top challenge with Zip wires. Need to book. Min age 10, min height 1.4m
Canoe hire company. Take change for car parking. Ye Old Ferrie Inn is nice for a drink by the river.
28 residents recomanen
Canoe the Wye
Canoe hire company. Take change for car parking. Ye Old Ferrie Inn is nice for a drink by the river.
Canoe and Kayak hire in nearby Monmouth. Also do rock climbing, abseiling and raft building. See website for booking.
27 residents recomanen
Monmouth Canoe Hire and Activity Centre
Old Dixton RoadCanoe and Kayak hire in nearby Monmouth. Also do rock climbing, abseiling and raft building. See website for booking.
Canoe and Stand up paddleboard hire at Symonds Yet east (approx 20 minute drive).. Take change for car parking. Good pub and cafe overlooking the river.
19 residents recomanen
Wyedean Canoe & Adventure Centre
Canoe and Stand up paddleboard hire at Symonds Yet east (approx 20 minute drive).. Take change for car parking. Good pub and cafe overlooking the river.
Canoe, kayak and SUP hire. Also do rock climbing, gorge scrambling, bushcraft, raft building and archery. Take change for carparking.Check website for details
7 residents recomanen
Wye Adventures
Canoe, kayak and SUP hire. Also do rock climbing, gorge scrambling, bushcraft, raft building and archery. Take change for carparking.Check website for details
Symonds Yat Canoe Ltd
3 Ashes LnCanoe and Kayak hire. Take change for car parking.
Outdoor trips and Activities in the local area and the Brecons. See website for more details.
9 residents recomanen
Way2go Adventures Ltd
20 Forest RdOutdoor trips and Activities in the local area and the Brecons. See website for more details.
Mountain bike tracks and jumps for all ages. Open April-October. Book via website
Wednesdays 5pm-9pm
Friday 5pm-9pm
Saturdays 12-8pm
Sundays 12-8pm
Redhill Extreme
Mountain bike tracks and jumps for all ages. Open April-October. Book via website
Wednesdays 5pm-9pm
Friday 5pm-9pm
Saturdays 12-8pm
Sundays 12-8pm
4x4 off roading experiences. Advisable to book well in advance.
7 residents recomanen
Whitecliff Off Road Centre
Newland Street4x4 off roading experiences. Advisable to book well in advance.
Inspire2Adventure
Outdoor Adventures for all the family
Bike hire in the village of Parkend. Cafe and 2 good pubs in the village. Pre-booking at the moment.
http://www.deanforestcycles.co.uk
12 residents recomanen
Dean Forest Cycles
New RoadBike hire in the village of Parkend. Cafe and 2 good pubs in the village. Pre-booking at the moment.
http://www.deanforestcycles.co.uk
Places to Eat
The George Inn
High StreetCosy pub in village next to castle grounds. Call 01594 530228.
The Miners Country Inn
Chepstow RoadLocally sourced menu, 3 miles away.
The Globe Inn, Alvington
Clanna RoadCosy pub by the river with nice outdoor space. Monmouth canoe hire suggests a stop here on their half day canoe hire. Park at the pay and display in Redbrook and walk across the bridge. Only serving food at lunchtime at the moment. Nice walk along the river close by.
40 residents recomanen
The Boat Inn
Lone LaneCosy pub by the river with nice outdoor space. Monmouth canoe hire suggests a stop here on their half day canoe hire. Park at the pay and display in Redbrook and walk across the bridge. Only serving food at lunchtime at the moment. Nice walk along the river close by.
The Fountain Inn
Fountain Way
The Ostrich Inn
Cosy pub with tasty food. Call 01594833260
Lovely cafe in Tintern popular with Cyclists and walkers. Closed Tuesdays
7 residents recomanen
The Filling Station Cafe
QuaysideLovely cafe in Tintern popular with Cyclists and walkers. Closed Tuesdays
Good pub in relaxed setting, right in the middle of the forest. Big outdoor space and playground. On the way back from Mallards Pike. Call 01594 562008 for bookings.
12 residents recomanen
The Rising Sun Inn
2 Moseley GreenGood pub in relaxed setting, right in the middle of the forest. Big outdoor space and playground. On the way back from Mallards Pike. Call 01594 562008 for bookings.
Lovely pub right by the River in Symonds Yat West (approx 20 mins) near canoe the wye canoe hire. Booking advisable. Also do their own paddle sports hire.
https://www.yeoldferrieinn.com/say-hello-to-sup-yofi-paddlesports/
15 residents recomanen
Ye Old Ferrie Inn
Ferrie LaneLovely pub right by the River in Symonds Yat West (approx 20 mins) near canoe the wye canoe hire. Booking advisable. Also do their own paddle sports hire.
https://www.yeoldferrieinn.com/say-hello-to-sup-yofi-paddlesports/
Food Shopping
The Brockweir & Hewelsfield Village Shop
Mill HillDeli type shop in the village. Closed weekend, Open until 5.30 on Fridays.
7 residents recomanen
The Pantry
32 Woodborough RdDeli type shop in the village. Closed weekend, Open until 5.30 on Fridays.
Deli shop in Coleford selling local cheese and Forest of Dean/Wye Valley products.
10 residents recomanen
Forest Deli
4 Market PlDeli shop in Coleford selling local cheese and Forest of Dean/Wye Valley products.
Farm shop on A48 selling products from within a 30 mile radius of the shop. Cafe onsite.
13 residents recomanen
Hanley Farm Shop
Hanley CourtFarm shop on A48 selling products from within a 30 mile radius of the shop. Cafe onsite.
Local Towns
Good selection of everyday and independent shops. Large Tesco on the A48.
40 residents recomanen
Chepstow
Good selection of everyday and independent shops. Large Tesco on the A48.
Good selection of independent shops, nice cafes, old theatre (currently closed due to COVID) Waitrose and M&S food in town centre.
152 residents recomanen
Monmouth
Good selection of independent shops, nice cafes, old theatre (currently closed due to COVID) Waitrose and M&S food in town centre.