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Whether you want to go on a two-day hike, throw yourself into some high-energy activities or just take a leisurely bike ride to a viewing hotspot, the Forest of Dean accommodates all.
With so much selection, you won't know where to start. So here are some of our top tips to keep everyone entertained on your visit to the Forest...
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Whether you're a first time visitor, or returning to rediscover its charms, you'll find the best in hospitality, along with spectacular scenery, a wealth of wildlife and a fascinating heritage.
However if you only have a day, you'll just scratch the surface of what this wonderful place has to offer. So why not stay a bit longer and discover more of the Forest's charms, it won't take long before you fall under its spell.
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Said to have inspired the likes of J.R.R.Tolkien, J.K.Rowling and Dennis Potter, "Gloucestershire's greatest natural wonder", the Forest of Dean, is best explored by following The Royal Forest Route, which takes visitors on a 20-mile tour of the spectacular broad-leaf forest.
Springtime is one of the best times of the year to follow this route, when many areas, such as the Soudley Valley are filled with the most spectacular bluebells.
BBC Back in the Wye
The Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has again played host to the popular BBC programme Countryfile when presenters Julia Bradbury and Matt Baker visited the area in mid February.
Featuring several Overlooking the Wye projects from Yat Rock to Eagles Nest. Julia interviewed Dr Liz Berry from the Wye Valley AONB at the iconic Yat Rock viewpoint, who explained the unique history and importance of the protected landscape, the Picturesque and the Wye Tour. The presenter will also be shown braving the rapids at Symonds Yat with canoe expert Paul Howells.
Kate Biggs, Overlooking the Wye Project Manager, outlined the history of Piercefield House and the legacy of the viewpoints to Matt and demonstrated the work done at Lovers Leap. Matt also abseiled with the Ascend Team to retrieve vital bat monitoring equipment from underneath Eagle's Nest and talking to ecological consultant David Stiles from Baker, Shepherd and Gillespie
The programme also investigated the wild boar in the Forest of Dean with Forestry Commission ranger Neil Sollis and Matt descended into Clearwell Caves with ochre artist Kathy Lewis from Taurus Crafts.
The Countryfile episode, which will be shown on Sunday 28th of February, is one of the latest of the high profile features made in the Wye Valley. It demonstrates the enduring popularity of this stunning landscape and the opportunities to get out and enjoy the activities.
Editors Notes:
The Wye Valley AONB is an internationally important protected landscape containing some of the most beautiful lowland scenery in Britain? The 44 mile/72km stretch of the River Wye winds down through the valley through spectacular limestone gorge scenery and dense ravine woodlands. Superb wildlife, intriguing archaeological and industrial remains and impressive geological features all make it into one of the most fascinating Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
This unique landscape straddles the border between England and Wales. It includes areas within Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire.
The AONB Management Plan identifies the need to support farmers in taking a positive role in the land management of the area and to ensure that woodland owners manage them in a sustainable way.
Overlooking the Wye is a £2.8 m Landscape Partnership Scheme supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund within the Wye Valley AONB.
The aim of the scheme is to improve and promote enjoyment and understanding of the historic environment in the landscape of the lower Wye Valley. This will involve projects at forty sites over the next three years.
For further information please contact:
Nikki Moore, Wye Valley AONB Information Officer
Tel:01600 710846 Mobile:07904 436719
Email: information@wyevalletyaonb.org.uk
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