What to do and see in Gloucestershire, England: The Best Forests

You'll never be at a loss for something to see and do in the Forest of Dean. With the natural environment, fascinating history and heritage, an array of attractions and activities you can feed your minds and tire your bodies, but will there be enough time to fit it all into one holiday? - Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Association.

Beechenhurst lies in the heart of the forest, and is a great place to start your adventure in the Forest of Dean. Beechenhurst is the starting point for the famous Sculpture Trail, there are additional waymarked walks of varying lengths beginning from the site, and for visitors bringing their own bikes to the forest, Beechenhurst is an ideal start point for the Family Cycle Trail. Adventurous visitors can enjoy the junior version of Go Ape which is aimed at 6-12 year olds. The course can be found at the edge of the main car park. The onsite climbing tower is an exciting way to let off steam! 36 routes from easy to extreme and 2 vertical abseils. Great for children and adults, friends, families and group bookings. Check the Forest of Dean Adventure website for opening times. Archery sessions can also be booked. Beechenhurst cafe serves food from 8.30am everyday. The menu encompasses locally sourced food with a variety of specials and childrens meals available

This beautiful setting is a great spot for a picnic or a gentle lakeside walk and is easilly accesible from the Family Cycle Trail. Those seeking something a little more adventerous can enjoy adventure high above the forest floor, taking on zip-wires, tarzan swings and a variety of obstacles! Get off the beaten track on board an all-terrain forest segway. Many ponds in the forest were made to supply water wheels that powered the mills and iron forges or are remnants of the forest’s industrial past. Once these were no longer required some were transformed by the Forestry Commission for the community’s enjoyment. You might think that the name Mallard Pike refers to a pike (fish) or to a mallard duck. This pike is actually a turnpike or toll road; the mallard comes from a Mr Maller, who lived until the early 1950’s in a toll keeper’s cottage, which was close to where you turned off the Parkend to Blakeney road. Maller’s Turnpike eventually became Mallard’s Pike.

The Secret Forest is a natural landscape that has been mined from early history. It has a roundhouse village showing how iron age workers may have lived in three replica roundhouses of different construction. The landscape walk is through an open former iron age mine system that is open to the sky and known locally as ‘Scowles’; the outcrop of the crease limestone cave system which started forming approximately 180 million years ago. The abandoned mines were taken over by nature and have created a beautiful ancient woodland with trees over 800 years old. The circular path is approx. 600m long within gentle rock and root formations. Our mission is to preserve & promote the appreciation and enjoyment of our natural environment through art, education and nature. We run courses & events. OPEN weekends 5th - 20th Dec. 2020 from 10am - 3pm & by appointment for groups. See website for details. Tearoom and eco-toilets. This site is off-grid, hence cash only. Check before you travel.