Recommended places
Sightseeing
Lovely ponds surrounded by forest in a peaceful area, with hard, flat paths, and often very quiet.
19 locals recommend
Soudley Ponds
12 Church RdLovely ponds surrounded by forest in a peaceful area, with hard, flat paths, and often very quiet.
From a beautiful stained glass window hanging in the forest, to interesting dens and sculptures celebrating the forest's past, the Sculpture Trail is a good walk along firm forest paths. Park at the Speech House Woodland for free parking.
90 locals recommend
Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail
Speech House RoadFrom a beautiful stained glass window hanging in the forest, to interesting dens and sculptures celebrating the forest's past, the Sculpture Trail is a good walk along firm forest paths. Park at the Speech House Woodland for free parking.
Fascinating cave system - learn about the history of Iron Ore mining in the Forest of Dean. Unique visual art installation underground is also breathtaking. Very good cafe.
115 locals recommend
Clearwell Caves
The RocksFascinating cave system - learn about the history of Iron Ore mining in the Forest of Dean. Unique visual art installation underground is also breathtaking. Very good cafe.
Brilliant for children to splash around in, or anyone who wants to enjoy a barbeque by the side of an old ford. A favourite of local children who will splash for hours in the shallow water. Small cafe open in the summer. Lots of people bring barbeques here.
15 locals recommend
Wenchford Picnic Site
New RoadBrilliant for children to splash around in, or anyone who wants to enjoy a barbeque by the side of an old ford. A favourite of local children who will splash for hours in the shallow water. Small cafe open in the summer. Lots of people bring barbeques here.
Food scene
A nice cafe attached to a visitor centre, about 40 minutes walk from the yurt. Cafe has a full daytime menu (from cooked breakfasts and baked potatoes to cake and tea). The Heritage Centre itself has a Gruffalo trail, with carved chainsaw sculptures (£3 to get in to the Gruffalo trail on it's own), or you can buy a full ticket to learn more about the Forest of Dean. Outside chainsaw carvers are working most days.
52 locals recommend
Dean Heritage Centre
A nice cafe attached to a visitor centre, about 40 minutes walk from the yurt. Cafe has a full daytime menu (from cooked breakfasts and baked potatoes to cake and tea). The Heritage Centre itself has a Gruffalo trail, with carved chainsaw sculptures (£3 to get in to the Gruffalo trail on it's own), or you can buy a full ticket to learn more about the Forest of Dean. Outside chainsaw carvers are working most days.
Great cafe with a wide selection of hot food and cakes. Brilliant park next to the cafe for children and right in the middle of the forest for more adventurous walks. A climbing wall and tree top adventure are also set here.
62 locals recommend
Beechenhurst Lodge
Speech House RoadGreat cafe with a wide selection of hot food and cakes. Brilliant park next to the cafe for children and right in the middle of the forest for more adventurous walks. A climbing wall and tree top adventure are also set here.
A small shopping centre full of artisan makers with a lovely cafe and nice play area. Often there are seasonal events such as Christmas markets, kite day, antique fairs, and lots of interesting activities for children during the school holidays.
46 locals recommend
Taurus Crafts
A small shopping centre full of artisan makers with a lovely cafe and nice play area. Often there are seasonal events such as Christmas markets, kite day, antique fairs, and lots of interesting activities for children during the school holidays.
Lovely people, absolutely brilliant food, great decor, friendly ambience. Our favourite place to eat, whether for burgers, steak, veggie or Sunday roast.
Just 10 minutes walk down country lanes from the yurt.
The Kings Head
Lovely people, absolutely brilliant food, great decor, friendly ambience. Our favourite place to eat, whether for burgers, steak, veggie or Sunday roast.
Just 10 minutes walk down country lanes from the yurt.
Brilliant fish and chip takeaway (they do burgers too). Just 10 minutes walk or 2 minutes drive from the yurt.
6 locals recommend
Blakeney Chip In
High StreetBrilliant fish and chip takeaway (they do burgers too). Just 10 minutes walk or 2 minutes drive from the yurt.
Neighbourhoods
A small town with a medium sized Tesco, Co-op, good chip shop and other takeaways. Chain convenience stores and some independent shops selling outdoor gear, gifts, and household goods. 5 minutes drive from our place or 15 minutes on the bus.
Lydney
A small town with a medium sized Tesco, Co-op, good chip shop and other takeaways. Chain convenience stores and some independent shops selling outdoor gear, gifts, and household goods. 5 minutes drive from our place or 15 minutes on the bus.
Our nearest village. A 15 minute walk which can be done across fields or on quiet tracks and roads (no need to walk on the main road). Has a recreation ground with small park alongside picturesque babbling brook. Has a convenience store which sells essentials, post office, a chip shop / takeaway, pub serving Sunday roast and amazing weeknight / weekend food.
Blakeney
Our nearest village. A 15 minute walk which can be done across fields or on quiet tracks and roads (no need to walk on the main road). Has a recreation ground with small park alongside picturesque babbling brook. Has a convenience store which sells essentials, post office, a chip shop / takeaway, pub serving Sunday roast and amazing weeknight / weekend food.
Activities
Cannop Cycle Centre
New RoadGreat starting point for mountain and trail biking.