There’s no shortage of action-packed, family-friendly fun to enjoy during your Forest of Dean camping adventure! The ancient forest terrain is a world bursting with towering trees, rushing rivers and formidable rock formations, making it one giant adventure playground! Here are 5 of the best activities for the family to try…
Under the guidance of qualified, local climbing instructors - including the team at Summit Mountaineering – the more agile and daring family members can explore the tunnel that cuts right through the rock or scale the heights of the famous Longstone Pinnacle…
… Gaze out across unrivalled views of the valley below from this commanding peak, it’s truly breathtaking!
From the summit to the depths, explore Symonds Yat from below as you journey into the natural caves carved into the limestone cliffs. Marvel at the wonder of another world deep beneath the forest floor.
Take to two wheels as a family and explore the Forest of Dean like never before! Whether you’re a hardcore cyclist or you prefer a gentle, pedal-powered glide through the woods, the Forest of Dean is packed full of tracks and trails to suit all cycling abilities.
Not brought bikes of your own? Don’t worry… There’s no shortage of cycle hire companies in the region! Try out Pedal A Bike Away, Dean Forest Cycles or Cannop Cycle Centre for great rates and rip-roaring routes, including an incredible 11-miles of family cycling routes, starting from the Cannop Cycle Centre.
Experience a pleasant, pedal-powered adventure along a former railway route, stopping off at vintage villages and train stations of yesteryear at Drybrook Road Cannop Wharf and Speech House. With perfect picnic spots on route, pack a lunch and bask in the beauty of your surroundings on the ultimate, family cycling tour.
Enter whole new worlds deep beneath the forest floor, where magic and mystery await you! Experience spectacular, ochre-tinged tunnels and marvel at passageways filled with weird and wonderful rock formations during a guided tour of the ancient iron mines at Clearwell Caves near Coleford.
Explore Hopewell Colliery on the site of a working coal mine as you venture underground for an unforgettable guided tour. Discover miles of passageways lined with coal before emerging in the serenity of the forest.
Take to the rushing waters of the River Wye, canoeing and kayaking the currents, while experiencing the ebb and flow of the winding waterway with the Forest of Dean as your backdrop! A truly mesmerising experience for the whole family, you can canoe the Wye unaided or join a guided trip to share a memorable adventure.
There’s no shortage of canoe hire companies on the banks of the Wye, including Monmouth Canoe and Activity Centre, Wye Canoes and Wye Pursuits.
Among the trees, tackle twisting, turning high rope courses in the ultimate test of nerve. The Forest of Dean is full of adrenaline-fuelled, treetop adventure centres designed for a thrilling family day out. Zoom down zip wires, take on topsy-turvy towers and wobbly rope bridges in your quest to be crowned Tarzan of the trees!
The Forest of Dean is full of surprises, with action and adventure waiting for you at every turn. For generations, the ancient forest has been a favourite for families craving epic outdoor pursuit experiences. Come and see for yourself, plan your Forest of Dean family camping adventure, today!
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