Top Things to do in Forest of Dean
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What to do and see in Forest of Dean, England: The Best Museums
Discover the best top things to do in Forest of Dean, United Kingdom including Hopewell Colliery, Coleford Great Western Railway Museum, Hot Pot Pottery - pottery activity centre, The Secret Gallery, Dean Heritage Centre, Taurus Crafts, Littledean Jail Museum, Dymock Poets.
Restaurants in Forest of Dean
1. Hopewell Colliery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 295 reviews
Reviewed By whiteleybob - Fareham, United Kingdom
Fascinating one hour tour with a short walk down the pit. Very informative and insightful. Couldn’t fault Richard who was our patient guide (and also a miner) - a real character with a great sense of humour. Loved it. Great cafe too.
2. Coleford Great Western Railway Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 48 reviews
A Museum housed in the original G.W.R. Goods station of 1883! The Great western railway Museum is housed in one of the last remaining permanent railway buildings left in the Forest of Dean on the original site of Coleford's railway yard. Its full of local railway history and artefacts it also has a 71/4 gauge miniature railway which runs around its site for all age groups! also has a full size Peckett locomotive in the engine shed and restored signal box.
Reviewed By Y2201VRandrewb
The volunteers were very friendly and demonstrated the signal box providing a lot of interesting detail on the equipment and methods used. A trip round on the miniature steam railway and a good look round the museum - packed with items and information on the railways of the area. Good value for money. Very enjoyable few hours!
3. Hot Pot Pottery - pottery activity centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
A friendly country pottery activity centre and gallery offering pottery trial classes, pottery painting kits for hire, one day wheel throwing workshops and bookable private browsing time in their pottery gallery.
4. The Secret Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Beautiful Art Gallery and art space set over two floors, with regular exhibitions by local established artists, creative workshops, events and a lovely gift shop full of unique hand-made gifts.
5. Dean Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 302 reviews
The Dean Heritage Centre is one of Gloucestershire's leading attractions. Set across a stunning and fully interactive five acre site, the centre protects and preserves the unique history and heritage of the beautiful Forest of Dean. With a wide range of things to do and see, including five onsite galleries exploring the history of the Forest from the Ice Age to the present day; a reconstructed Victorian cottage; a charcoal burner's camp; an adventure playground; chainsaw carving demonstrations, an onsite gift shop and cafe there's always something new and exciting to interest, inspire and surprise you.With a full programme of special events, exhibitions, art shows and educational workshops across the year, it's a great day out for all the family. The Dean Heritage Centre has indoor and outdoor exhibits. If rain stops you enjoying the woodlands, take advantage of our RAINY DAY GUARANTEE and return again free of charge.
Reviewed By mrsbake1 - Lydney, United Kingdom
Visited on a Monday for a quick lunch, had a coronation chicken wrap which was super, stuffed full of chicken with a nice bit of salad garnish and crisps, very reasonably priced too, had a lovely latte and a slice of GF courgette and lime cake.... delightful, will be back for sure
6. Taurus Crafts
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 351 reviews
Taurus Crafts is a vibrant visitor centre where you can see a wide range of arts and crafts. Throughout the year, there are opportunities to discover your own creativity, join a workshop including making, decorating and throwing your own pots, jewellery making, chocolate making, stone carving & puppet making. As well as being the home to a fantastic range of independent businesses, we run three shops and a café with a mixed ability team providing opportunities for work placements & supported employment for people with mental health and learning disabilities.
Reviewed By AnnabelF587 - Cinderford, United Kingdom
We had a lovely time in the paint your own pottery section with Cathy who was lovely and patient! My step daughter has a learning disability and isn't comfortable everywhere, but Cathy was relaxed and not pushy with her so she thoroughly enjoyed it! There were a lot of different pottery shapes to choose from, including a great Halloween pumpkin plaque. There were letters of the alphabet which stand up and do Alex chose one for her Dad. Cathy has lots of colours to chose from and aprons to keep clean!!! The paint dried quickly so we went to the handmade chocolate shop and by the time we had strolled back to the pottery it was dry and ready to take home. We will definitely be going back to paint something else. We ended up at Taurus Crafts for a good couple of hours as we had some lunch in the cafe and also went to our favourite hippy shop, Indigo, which is full of lovely gifts, some clothes, scarves and bags and amazing smelling soaps and bath bombs!! We always find presents there for people of all ages! I'd definitely recommend it if you are visiting the Forest on a wet day as there's lots to look at, do and buy! It's also right by Coinross garden centre so I think there's something for everyone there!!
7. Littledean Jail Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 466 reviews
Reviewed By 335jacquiec - Swansea County, United Kingdom
What a wonderful hidden gem in the middle of the Forest of Dean! We have been 3 times now and have still probably NOT seen it all. There's so much to see, so much to read!, so much to take in. From Marilyn Monroe to Mods & Rockers and all sorts of QUIRKY things in between! This place has to be seen to be believed. I thought I was a collector of weird paraphernalia, verging on 'hoarder of note' but, this place has to be gone through with eyes wide open, or else you'll miss something. I was transported back to my youth whilst looking at some of the exhibits he has so carefully put together. It's so full, he's already running short on space... again It really is a great talking point in the area. Especially in the local pubs. Give yourself a treat; you'll never get so much for a tenner in your life again!
8. Dymock Poets
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
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