Forest of Dean Holidays
There are many reasons to take Forest of Dean Holidays and here are a few of them by someone who lives there. The author lives in Cinderford, one of the most central of the Forest of Dean towns and this website is here to provide information about the area and the events and festivals held here together with attractions and accomodation.
Forest of Dean Attractions
Our area contains sprawling woodlands with outdoor activities, castles, museums, lodging, hotels dining & shopping so no matter how long you stay you won’t see it all.
Hopewell Colliery
Celebrating the past, present and future of this unique way of life in the Forest of Dean
At Hopewell Colliery you can take one of our Guided Underground Tours in the safe hands of an expert Freeminer of the Forest of Dean
Or enjoy a cup of tea, coffee or soft drink, ice cream or snack in our Museum, Cafe and Gift Shop. You may even witness carts of freshly dug coal being brought to the surface at the entrance to the working mine.
Large free car park
Phone: 01594 810706
Out of hours:
07717 750689
Note: the tour is not suitable for very young children
Perrygrove Railway
Perrygrove Railway Adventure offers visitors multiple train rides alongside extensive play areas, aimed at children under 10. We are a dog friendly attraction.
There is a café onsite selling great coffee, tempting cakes, local ice cream, sandwiches and pastries.
Perrygrove is open every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday all year round and daily in local, (Gloucestershire), school holidays, plus bank holidays. There is large free car park on site and we are dog friendly. Perrygrove is based near Coleford in the Forest of Dean.
You can enjoy many events throughout the year including Meet the Tractors, Teddy Bears Picnic, Halloween free in October, Christmas at Perrygrove in December
Puzzlewood
If you enjoy walking, the great outdoors, breathtaking scenery or discovering nature whatever the season, you’ll love Puzzlewood. Experience twisted trees in an otherworldly woodland through a mile and a half of paths, bridges and lookout points. It’s a wood like no other, and its magic will cast a spell to entice you back time and time again.
Puzzlewood is an Ancient Woodland, loved by many and described by Kathleen Kennedy, Star Wars Producer and President of Lucasfilm, as ‘the most magical forest on the face of the earth!’.
Few people realise that Puzzlewood is a fragment of a very rare temperate rainforest, leftover from the days when such woodlands covered much of the UK west coast.
Clearwell Caves
Underneath the mysterious Royal Forest of Dean lies something spectacular and unseen , a vast natural cave system that has been mined for more than 4,500 years.This is a natural cave system mined for ochre pigments and iron ore for over 4,500 years. Nine large caverns and winding passageways are open to visitors
Dean Heritage Centre
Located in the Forest of Dean village of Soudley, the Dean Heritage Centre offers a perfect fun day for the entire family.
With five acres to explore, the centre has something for everyone to discover including history, culture, art, and a variety of interesting and unique attractions set against a spectacular backdrop.
Lydney Harbour
Wonderful walks and views of the river. Good cafes
Cinderford – from Mining to Tourism
Cinderford is my own home town now. When we retired we bought a lovely 2 bedroom cottage here with a wood burner and a lovely little garden.
With in excess of 20 pubs, restaurants and cafes/takeaways, a variety of retail outlets and a range of places to stay, you can easily base yourself in Cinderford while venturing out into the Forest of Dean.
An historic market town, it got its name from the iron ore which was mined and smelted in the area from Norman times. Cinderford continued to rely on mining, especially coal, right up until the 1960s, and its heritage is marked by a statue of a Forest of Dean Freeminer in the town center. Today the focus is very much on tourism and welcoming visitors to the surrounding area.
If you like films you really must visit the Palace Cinema
Coleford
Coleford in the Forest of Dean has taken the top spot in a new list ranking the best UK market towns to visit for a staycation this spring. The town centre’s compact size means the countryside is never far away and it is easy to reach by car At the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, this area was part of the large royal manor of Newland which lay within the ancient administrative hundred of St Briavels, and would still have been thickly forested. Coleford played a significant part in the conduct of the English Civil Wars. The Battle of Coleford, which took place on 20th February 1643, is commemorated by a memorial plaque laid by The Sealed Knot in the Market Place in 2010.
Crime Through Time Museum
Welcome to Littledean Jail, a former house of correction, police station and courthouse is the county’s most talked about, most unorthodox, not to be missed historical visitor attraction set in the Royal Forest of Dean.
Admission prices:
Price includes admission to the Quadrophenia Collection.
- Adults: £10.00
- Senior Citizens: £9.00
- Children (Children 3 years – 18 years ): £9.00
Children under 3’s – FREE - If you’re 100 years young then admission is FREE!
Due to the graphic and explicit images and exhibits throughout, this Museum is not suitable for children and as such, our prices reflect this.
Littledean Hill Rd, Littledean, Cinderford GL14 3PG
Elton Giant Mazes
Our Mazes are located in Gloucestershire on the edge of the Forest of Dean. We are near to the M4, M48, M50 and A48. We are normally open every day from early July to early September. Very close by are Elton Carp Lakes and Pirate Island adventure golf. We have a cabin with seating from which we sell food and drinks, plus we have books to read, games and toilets. Outside is our courtyard, a great place to chill out
Elton Farm
Littledean Road
Newnham-on-Severn
Gloucestershire
GL14 1JU
Westbury Court Garden
Originally laid out between 1696 and 1705, this is the only restored Dutch-style water garden in the country.
Westbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, GL14 1PD
There are of course many other attractions in the Forest of Dean. These are just a few to whet your appetite.
Places to Stay in the Forest of Dean
If you are planning Forest of Dean Holidays then of course you will need somewhere to stay
THE SPEECH HOUSE HOTEL
The Speech House Hotel is a former 17th-century hunting lodge set in the heart of the idyllic Royal Forest of Dean. Nestled in the centre of a tranquil forest environment, The Speech House Hotel is a family run business, and offers the perfect combination of original charm, modern hotel, and wedding venue facilities.
The hotel has 35 comfortable en-suite bedrooms, several with impressive antique master four-poster beds. For dining, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Relax in the informal Orangery and enjoy a tasty lunch, traditional Afternoon Tea or light supper. Or visit Verderers’, our AA Rosette à la carte restaurant, and indulge in a fine dining experience, under the creative guidance of our Head Chef Gareth Jenkins.
Speech House Hotel, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 7EL
White Hart Inn
85 St Whites Road Ruspidge, Cinderford, GL14 3ER,
Bells Hotel & Country Club
Bells Hotel and Golf Club is one of the most popular resorts for golf breaks in Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean. Founded in 1973 the course is known for its unique rolling parkland, beautiful lakes, streams and spectacular woodland. The 18 hole, par 69 golf course poses challenges for golfers of all skill levels and is a joy to play
If you are in search of a holiday filled with outdoor adventures, the Forest of Dean is the perfect location. This beautiful region of Gloucestershire has hills to climb, valleys to explore, rivers to follow and woodlands to discover. Outdoor pursuits include cycling, walking, canoeing and hiking. There are plenty of options for days out to with many attractions on our doorstep.
Lord’s Hill, Coleford GL16 8BE01594 832583
Tudor Farmhouse Hotel
An Award Winning stylish boutique hotel nestling where Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley meet.
High Street, Clearwell, Gloucestershire, GL16 8JS
Belfry Hotel
Small hotel, set on the edge of the Forest of Dean, 2 miles from Elton Giant Mazes and Activities Maze and 4 miles from the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail.
Broad St, Littledean, Cinderford GL14 3JS
We will be adding more to this post in the coming days
Cottages and B & B
You will be spoiled for choice here. A selection can be seen here
Don’t forget you can see all the latest events and festivals here