The Royal Forest of Dean comprises an area of land between the River Severn and the River Wye, which rises to 290m at its highest point at Ruardean Hill, and extends to Newent to the north. It is one of England’s few remaining ancient forests, covering some 30,000 acres of woodland. Nelson visited the Forest in the early 19th century to inspect the timber stock for ship timber and he initiated the enclosing of areas to grow fine timber suitable for the construction of naval vessels.

Its isolation in times gone by has led to a distinctive dialect which remains to this day, and laws and customs developing, particularly those that relate to its timber and game (the vert and the venison) ancient iron mining and timber extraction.

The forest provides endless hours of walking, mountain biking and opportunities for picnicking, wading in streams, deer spotting and looking for wild flowers. It is famous for its bluebells which carpet the under storey, usually in late April, and its show of colour in Autumn. The woodland around Newent hosts a mass of daffodils in Spring. The Beechenhurst picnic area is the starting point for walks, the Sculpture Trail and mountain bike tracks. The lodge at Beechenhurst provides refreshments and there is a wooden children’s playground, popular with the under 12s. You can hire a huge range of mountain bikes including equipment for special needs from Pedalabikeaway, which is nearby.

Symonds Yat, which is about 10 minutes' drive away, is famous for its natural river scenery and its magnificent viewpoint at Symonds Yat Rock, which is some 500 feet above sea level. In Summer, the Peregrine Falcons can be seen flying around the view point and below. If afterwards, you slip down to the river, there are a number of hostelries, serving food and you may see the ferryman, who pulls the ferry across the river on a cable.

If you are interested in following the river further a field, try Kingfisher River Cruises, or for a more hands on experience, Forest Adventure Activity Centre and Wyedean Canoe and Adventure Centre can arrange it for you.

We are less than 2 miles from:

Clearwell Caves (ancient iron mines) which still operates and produces ochre pigments for artists and other natural paints, with shop and tea room.

Puzzlewood, a unique 14 acres of pre-Roman open cast iron ore mines, now with pathways passing between formations covered with trailing vines, ferns and wild flowers, magical for adults and children alike.

Perrygrove Railway a private estate railway built to the minimum gauge of 15 inches.

Reckless Designs in Coleford - colourful pottery sold worldwide, but you can paint your own in Kevin’s studio, assisted by Kevin or his wife, Bea.

Whitecliff Off Road Driving - experience an exciting day out, off road in a safe, but challenging environment.

DBC Leisure - for clay shooting, airgun and archery.

Crumbs Crafts and Gifts - a tea room with a difference, stocking designer yarns and patterns, hand crafted gifts, jewellery, beads and craft supplies.

A little further a field, (but within 15 minutes’ drive) visit:

Dean Forest Railway, which operates steam and heritage diesel trips through the woodland of the Forest of Dean and to Lydney, with special days such as Thomas the Tank Engine events.

Go Ape, Tackle a high wire course up to 60 feet above the forest floor in the depth of the Forest at Mallards Pike Lake.

Symonds Yat Butterfly Zoo and The Amazing Hedge Puzzle

Taurus Crafts, a renovated 17th century coach house and court yard containing a working pottery, stained glass, jewellery making and other crafts and organic shop and whole food restaurant.

Anne Jaques Personal Trainer, working in her own fully equipped studio, fitness sessions booked in advance.

About 20 minutes away is:

The Dean Heritage Centre, at Soudley which is the only museum within the Forest of Dean which seeks to preserve the local heritage and interpret it. Learn about the local traditions, the timber growing, iron and coal mining and charcoal burning. Walk through the woodland tracks and the wooden playground and maze for children. You can visit the crafts shops on site and the museum café. A traditional charcoal burn is held on most bank holidays

National Birds of Prey Centre at Newent, where you can watch birds fly and handle them.

The Shambles at Newent, a replica Victorian village.

The Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Beauty is only 2 miles away, with access to the Wye Valley walk which terminates at Chepstow, and Offa’s Dyke.

Along the Wye, visit:

Chepstow Castle, dating from 1067, at the convergence of the Severn and the Wye. It houses an interesting little museum. Also, Chepstow Museum.

Tintern Abbey, now a romantic ruin, which inspired Wordsworth’s “Lines written a few miles above Tintern Abbey”.

Monmouth, only six miles away, a small border market town, dating from Norman times. It boasts a number of coffee shops and places to eat, unusual shops and the Nelson Museum.

Goodrich Castle, a ruin overlooking the river Wye and Kerne Bridge, dating from 1160.

Raglan Castle, not on the Wye, but another border castle, is open to the public.

Locally, there are many other activities available, such as off road driving, quad biking, rope climbing, falconry, llama trekking, golfing, fishing and clay shooting. The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism Association produces a leaflet which is available from the various Tourist information centres in the area or ask me for a copy.

Best Walks provide the most comprehensive resource on the web for books on walking in The Wye Valley, Forest of Dean and throughout Britain.