Forest of Dean & Wye Valley: Things To Do & Places To Visit

There are many places to visit and things to do in the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley. It is one of my favourite inland destinations. The area is very popular with nature lovers and those looking for outdoor adventure. The Forest of Dean is a diverse habitat for wildlife.

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There are good choices for places to stay, including hotels, camping and boutique bed and breakfasts. You can find lots on the Booking.com website. It is also a great place to dine out, including dog-friendly pubs.

The Forest of Dean

This is an ancient woodland in western Gloucestershire, UK. The forest has over 110 square kilometres (sq km) of mixed woodland. Historically, the area was known for coal mining, ironwork, forestry and the manufacture of charcoal. It started as a royal hunting ground for the Tudor kings.

Wye Valley

The Wye Valley is a national landscape (formerly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). It includes the area on either side of the River Wye in both England and Wales. The Wye Valley starts just south of Hereford and continues all the way to Chepstow, where the 5th largest river in the UK meets the River Severn.

It’s recognised mostly for its pretty limestone gorge scenery. It also has dense native woodlands, diverse British wildlife, archaeological significance and industrial heritage.

Things to do in The Forest of Dean & Wye Valley

Explore Symonds Yat to Biblins

The walk from Symonds Yat to Biblins footbridge and back is pleasant and takes you along the riverbanks of the River Wye. The area has beautiful scenery to see on both sides of the river. This includes some fun using the hand ferry when you return to the beginning of the circular walk near The Saracen’s Head pub. If you’re lucky, you can watch the peregrine falcons flying overhead.

Mallards Pike Lake

Mallards Pike Lake and the surrounding woodland are a special area of the forest with a picnic area on a lake.

There are walking and cycling routes in this area. Nearby is the Go Ape activity centre, where you can take part in a variety of activities, including zip wires and climbing.

Canoeing or Kayaking

There are companies for canoe or kayak hire on the river, most based at Symonds Yat West. There are opportunities to take part in trips, from half-day adventures to multi-day excursions much further upstream.

The Symonds Yat area is home to some popular Grade 2 rapids used for training and playboating. A hand-powered trip is a fantastic way to take in the stunning scenery while having some fun. I’ve enjoyed a few sessions on the river here and learnt to canoe.

Symonds Yat Rock

This viewpoint above the village of Symonds Yat and the River Wye offers magnificent, iconic views. From the rock, you can view nesting peregrine falcons with binoculars and the views from above.

The area is very popular with photographers and makes for some excellent photos throughout the seasons. Symonds Yat Rock has both cycle and walking trails and a pleasant picnic area.

Coleford: A Market Town

Visit or stay in Coleford, a small market town in the heart of the Forest of Dean, making it an ideal base camp for an adventure in the area. The town has a very special deli, independent food stores, and some friendly pubs and restaurants.

Cannop Ponds

Cannop Ponds is a beautiful area with two large ponds full of wildlife, including a variety of wildfowl. The site has a picnic area, ideal for a break. I have spotted all sorts of birds here and the occasional deer.

The woodland has walking or cycling trails; it’s a great place for circular walks or to get off the road on the bike.

Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail

Combine walking with art and some nature when you visit the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail. The trail features a variety of sculptures by talented artists that blend perfectly with the forest. I have seen a variety of wildlife here; on my last visit, there was a buzzard in a nearby tree, and the dog was hissed at by an adder. A notable sculpture on the trail is Cathedral, a large stained-glass window above a woodland path.

Tintern Village

Tintern is a lovely village in the Wye Valley, which is home to the ruins of the 12th-century Tintern Abbey. Another place to visit in the village is Abbey Mill, a craft and shopping complex based around a mill.

The Old Station in Tintern has a visitor centre where you can find out about local history. Here you can see the old station, railway carriages and an N-gauge model railway.

Tintern is also a special place for a stroll in the Wye Valley. The views from the Old Wireworks Tramway Bridge are splendid. From the bridge, there are various routes to take, including a climb to the Devil’s Pulpit.

Tintern Abbey

Along the banks of the River Wye, on the border of Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire, is Tintern Abbey. Tintern Abbey is a ruined abbey church you can visit. The abbey dates from 1131, when it was founded.

Tintern Abbey fell into ruins after Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries. To visit the abbey, you can get tickets online or buy them at the door. The abbey is suitable for people of all ages and is also dog-friendly. You can also walk around the edge of the ruins or take a walk locally along the river.

Clearwell Caves

A fun thing to do in the Forest of Dean is to visit Clearwell Caves. When visiting, you can learn about mining in the area.

The principal attraction is the show cave, but you can arrange to venture deeper. Deep-level caving is available in the labyrinth of caves, covering 250 acres and reaching a depth of 62 metres. You can find out more or book tickets on their website.

Redbrook Village

Redbrook village is joined to Penallt by a disused railway bridge and has pubs on either side serving food and drink. The area is fantastic for walking, either along the river through meadows or into the woods of the steep valley. The area is popular with wild swimmers and kayakers who end their journeys on the Wye.

Puzzlewood

Puzzlewood is an ancient woodland site and tourist attraction that has also been a site for filming movies/TV shows, including Doctor Who and Star Wars. It is a unique day out and includes various walks, mazes and farm animals.

Birdwatching At RSPB Nagshead

Nagshead Nature Reserve is an area of oak woodland. You can see all three of the UK’s woodpecker species here in the summer, nuthatches in autumn and the local goshawks in action in the colder months. You can find out more about what to see and when to visit on their website.

Dean Forest Railway

For those who like history or steam trains, visit the Dean Forest Railway. This is a restored heritage railway line between Lydney and Parkend, with steam trains running.

This is a great day out where you can visit museums, take train rides, and explore the villages on the branch line. Parkend, the last stop, is a good place for food, especially at the Nagshead Pub.

Freestyle Hiking

The less well-hiked trails throughout the Forest of Dean can be fun to explore. The quieter paths often throw up some gems, including the likelihood of seeing some local wildlife, including wild boar and deer.

The Wye Valley is also a top destination for hiking, especially along the river. The section from Lydbrook to Redbrook is my favourite section, as it’s beautiful and mostly quiet.

Dean Heritage Centre

If you fancy something educational in scenic surroundings, the Dean Heritage Centre might be just the ticket. Dean Heritage Centre is at Soudley Ponds near Cinderford. The site has 5 acres of forest, a museum, and workshops to take part in.

Visitors can learn about the history of the Forest of Dean, including its industrial heritage. The museum has artefacts dating back to prehistoric times. The Forester’s Cottage is an interesting feature of the heritage centre. It is a reconstructed cottage that shows visitors what a traditional forester’s home was like.

Newland Village

Newland Village has a historic church, All Saints’ Church. This church is known locally as the Cathedral of the Forest. All Saints’ Church dates back to the 11th century; however, it was enlarged in the 14th and 15th centuries.

As well as the church and nice village buildings, there is a delightful place to dine out, The Ostrich. They have a beer garden, which is ideal for a beer or a lunch out. There are trails from Newland that lead to the Wye Valley.

Monmouth Town

One of the bigger places to visit in the Wye Valley is Monmouth. It has historic sights, including a fortified bridge.

The town also has some great shops to pick up supplies for your Wye Valley Adventure. Monmouth also has good pubs to have a beer or a meal out. Another handy feature of the town is that it is a hub for bus services heading into the Forest of Dean or along the river.

Cycling

A popular activity in the Forest of Dean is a cycling trip. These can be road trips or off-road adventures. There are lots of cycle routes through the area, including near Cannop Ponds and Mallards Pike Lake.

You can either bring your own mountain bike or rent one. It’s a great destination for a cycling holiday, and the trails are fantastic.

Chepstow Castle

If you’re interested in history, Chepstow Castle is an excellent place for a day out. The castle is on the River Wye where it meets the Severn. Chepstow Castle dates from 1067 and has quite a story. It’s a fun place for grown-ups and children, and the castle is also dog-friendly.

Lydney Docks

Lydney Docks on the River Severn are good for a walk, birdwatching and enjoying the views of the estuary. The docks have a fascinating history, and their use dates back to the Roman era. The docks are linked to the town of Lydney via a canal.