Campsites in the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley

Looking for outstanding natural landscapes, fascinating architecture and a varied and exciting range of outdoor activities? Well all of these and much more is on offer in the wonderful Wye Valley and Forest of Dean. The area forms a triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye that is gorgeous to take in.

Don’t Miss

• Symonds Yat Rock
• Puzzlewood
• Tintern Abbey
• Chepstow Castle

Explore the incredible heritage

The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean is a region rich in natural, cultural and historical attractions so visitors can be assured that they’ll never be left twiddling their thumbs and wondering what to do. 

The Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty boasts an abundance of attractions to entice sightseers, including stunning landscapes and a diverse range of wildlife and flora.

There are many Sites of Special Scientific Interest as well as tranquil nature reserves to visit in the area, such as Lancaut Nature Reserve which is home to a host of birds and plants. The Highbury Woods National Nature Reserve is also not to be missed, a beautiful ancient woodland that can be explored via waymarked paths.

Symonds Yat Rock is a must for anyone who wants to see truly magnificent views. In addition to the superb views of the River Wye and beautiful surrounding landscape, there is also the possibility to see Peregrine Falcons which hunt in the area and raise their chicks from April to August, as well as an ancient hill fort.

Moving past its natural charms, the region features a wealth of historic architecture. With the likes of the magnificent Chepstow Castle, Caldicot Castle and Country Park, and the enticing ruins of Goodrich Castle with its exceptional panoramic views, people who want to be captivated by castles won’t be disappointed.

The splendid remains of Raglan Castle as well as the picturesque ruins of Wilton Castle and its pretty gardens are favourites with history buffs too. Wonder between the walls of Wilton and this 12^th century Norman castle will leave you in awe.   

Littledean Jail is another fascinating trip which stands just at the gateway to the forest built in the 18th century.

Undoubtedly one of the region’s most famous architectural attractions is Tintern Abbey. Though the Cistercian abbey is no longer complete, the remains are still a majestic sight to be seen, with centuries of history behind them as the second Cistercian foundation to be established in Britain.

Art and craft lovers have plenty of engaging galleries and studios to choose from that showcase a range of pieces, from paintings and sculptures to ceramics and jewellery. The Wyndcliffe Court Sculpture Gardens and the Wye Valley Sculpture Garden offer enticing ways to explore contemporary sculptures by British artists within an attractive garden setting.

Alternatively on a rainy day art and nature enthusiasts can still satisfy their senses with a visit to Nature in Art, a museum and art gallery focused solely on displaying artwork that has been inspired by nature.

For anyone looking to explore even further, cultural attractions can be enjoyed courtesy of the Dean Heritage Centre which provides great insight into the Forest of Dean’s history and heritage.

Visitors to the centre can explore its museum and galleries which are home to varied displays in areas such as music, archaeology and industry, while the art gallery is home to temporary exhibitions by local artists. A reconstructed Victorian cottage and Victorian school room, a replica coalmine and chainsaw carving demonstrations are just some of the other fun attractions to discover at the centre.

There are many enticing towns and villages to visit within and close to the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean, such as the historic market town of Ross-on-Wye which is home to one of Herefordshire’s biggest churches.

The market town of Monmouth has a number of attractions including the Nelson Museum, the Castle and Regimental Museum, Shire Hall and the Kymin where visitors can see an 18^th century round house and the Naval Temple while taking in fantastic panoramic views.

When it comes to tasty treats a visit to Aunt Martha’s Victorian Tea Rooms is a perfect opportunity to forget about the outside world and relax in the delights of a time gone by. Alternatively if refreshing drinks are in order, visitors can slake their curiosity and their thirst with a guided tour of Westons Cider Mill.
 

Lots to see and do

Walking is a great way to discover the region and there are great walks to choose from, such as the long-distance Wye Valley Walk which encompasses a variety of terrains within its 136 miles.

Alternatively, enjoy laidback rambling along the 177-mile Offa's Dyke Path which is a National Trail. It doesn’t all have to be 100s of miles long, too, there are lots of fun and easy walks to choose from, so walkers of all fitness levels can enjoy on-foot exploration.

For explorers who are keen to cover ground with some pedal power, the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley boast an enticing selection of cycle routes. Beginner and experienced mountain bikers alike can enjoy exhilarating trails through the Forest of Dean, while the easy and mostly traffic-free Peregrine Path is suitable for both younger and older cyclists.

For riding of a different nature, animal lovers will find all they need on one of the many horse-riding routes. There are several centres that offer riding lessons as well as organised treks for sightseeing with a difference.

The River Wye caters to experienced and novice individuals who are keen to participate in watersports such as kayaking and canoeing, while rock climbers can get their fix of adrenaline courtesy of the striking Wye Gorge.

Being surrounded by fantastic natural landscapes is also the perfect setting for learning useful bushcraft and survival skills, from making shelters and creating fire, to tracking, navigation and foraging. These activities are an excellent opportunity to interact with the environment in an unforgettable and rewarding way.

Pretty spots for a stroll include Lydney Spring Gardens and Westbury Court Garden; the Cyril Hart Arboretum is also nice for gentle walks.
 

Fantasy fun for kids

Families who are eager for fun will have a blast with the varied and exciting things to see and do within the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean. Puzzlewood within the Forest of Dean is sure to leave visitors of all ages spellbound – after all, it has featured in TV shows such as Merlin and Doctor Who.

A network of pathways makes it easy to explore this fantastic landscape on foot. There are also many animals to meet within Puzzlewood including Highland cattle, donkeys, Shetland ponies and pygmy goats, plus an outdoor playground, a toddler racing track and two indoor mazes to explore. 

If you fancy some family sightseeing in style, it’s hard to beat the glorious sounds and adventure associated with a steam train ride. The Dean Forest Railway and Perrygrove Railway are both excellent options for a great day of exploring with the family. 

Families who are keen to take their explorations underground have an excellent opportunity to do so courtesy of the Clearwell Caves. The caves were used for iron ore mining and the mine is more than 4000 years old.

There are nine caverns to explore, as well as underground musical instruments made from mining equipment and a resident blacksmith who can often be seen working within the smithy. Caving trips can also be organized for visitors who want to delve even deeper underground.

In contrast, families who want to see the world from up high can have an exhilarating experience at Go Ape Treetop Adventure in the Forest of Dean which includes racing down a zip wire, letting inner Tarzans loose on the Tarzan swing and navigating high ropes crossings.

Alternatively the Forest Segway Experience is a great option for visitors who want to stick to the ground but are keen for a thrilling way to see the forest.

The Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo is an enticing indoor attraction that provides great fun regardless of the weather. Plus, the Forest of Dean offers its own mini golf adventure, in the form of Krazy Golf Lydney, with a tasty on site bakery.

For some aerial antics swoop into the International Centre for Birds of Prey and take in the wide range of fascinating feathered residents and wonderful flying displays.

The Amazing Hedge Puzzle and Museum of Mazes are also perfect for getting gloriously bedfuddled in nature.