One of the best places to visit in the UK, especially over the summer months, is the beautiful Forest of Dean. If you want to get out and enjoy the countryside whilst the weather is good, it is a perfect place, and there are plenty of places to stay, from self catering cottages to places like this spa breaks Forest of Dean based hotel https://hatherleymanor.com/the-spa/spa-breaks-cotswolds/forest-of-dean/
There are plenty of things to enjoy in the forest – here are some ideas for you…
Go Fruit Picking – There are plenty of places to go and enjoy the fruits of the summer season around the Forest of Dean, and going to pick your own is a great experience for kids and adults alike! Strawberries and raspberries taste amazing when they are freshly picked too, especially paired with some locally made double cream!
Go Out on the River – A boat trip on the river Wye is a great way to get a different perspective of the Forest and the beautiful area. Whether you go on a tranquil sightseeing trip or you want a more action-packed canoe experience, there are lots of places to go to get out onto the river on a beautiful summer’s day.
Go to Clearwell Caves – If the heat is a bit much and you want to see some stunning underground caves, then Clearwell caves is a great place to go. Here you can see the special geological history of the area, as well as the long history of mining in the Forest.
A little Forest of Dean history
Part of the appeal of the Forest of Dean is its setting. The Wye Valley runs through it, and from the top of May Hill you can see the River Severn, the Cotswolds, the Malverns and the Black Mountains of Wales. For centuries the area changed hands between the Welsh and the English, and Offa’s Dyke, the ancient boundary between the two, now makes a pleasant walk.
The forest was kept as a royal hunting ground from the time of William the Conqueror, and the people who settled there helped maintain it. Iron ore was mined for centuries, as Clearwell Caves show, and the area still has free miners who work for themselves. Robert Mushet is said to have developed his steel making here.
Today tourism has largely replaced industry. Visitors can enjoy a model railway, pirate themed crazy golf, a treetop walk among the trees, and plenty of walking and cycling routes.
Caves, woodland and adventure in the forest
The ancient Forest of Dean covers a large area of west Gloucestershire, bordering Wales and Herefordshire. It is packed with history and scenery, with secluded woodland walks and plenty of outdoor activities for families. Taking a walking map with you makes it easier to explore the quieter parts of the forest.
If a summer day turns wet, head underground to Clearwell Caves. These natural caves were mined for iron ore for many years and are said to be haunted by the ghost of a miner. Puzzlewood offers some of the most intriguing woodland in the country, with twisting paths, tree roots and deep hollows, and it is said to have inspired Tolkien’s Middle Earth.
For something more energetic, the National Diving Centre near Chepstow offers diving and a zipline that carries you across the quarry. Between the walks, caves and activities, there is something to please everyone.