Woods and waterways: campsites in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
Considering a fresh air holiday in the UK? Camping in the Forest of Dean makes a splendid choice: the woodland here is so utterly lovely it was once the destination of choice for the royals, who made their way over here for hunting holidays and then stuck around to enjoy the views.
Nowadays the pastimes are rather different: a Forest of Dean camping holiday is a splendid pick if you fancy packing your holidays full of woodland walks, fishing, bike rides, canoeing and other wholesome outdoor activities. The royals have moved on, but it’s just possible you might spot a celeb or two: after all, parts of the Harry Potter and Star Wars film series have been shot here, as have episodes of Doctor Who and Merlin.
And it’s not just the forest itself that draws folk to this area: this area’s also home to the equally lovely Wye Valley, one of the UK’s top spots for canoeing and a very fine place to go for a walk (and that scenery means that camping in the Wye Valley is most rewarding too).
Along with all that fab outdoor scenery and activity comes a whole lot of just-as-fab outdoor accommodation: camping or glamping in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley gives you even more time to spend out in those gorgeous surroundings that drew you over to the area in the first place.
How to pick a campsite in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean
This is an area that’s well supplied with all sorts of excellent places to stay, so start by working out what you’re after. If you’re looking for a camping break with the kids, pick one of our family-friendly Forest of Dean campsites that’s got space for them to run about (tiring them out is always a fine plan, eh?) or added features like a pool, a playground or holiday activities. Campfires and barbecues are always a good thing to throw into the mix for a family camping holiday too: what better way to finish off a day of outdoor adventure?
Don’t worry if you haven’t got all the camping kit: there’s plenty of scope to stay in a yurt, a tipi or a family-sized rental tent, and in many cases a Forest of Dean glamping holiday also means you can travel light as essentials like towels, bedding and firepits will be provided (check out the comprehensive rundown of features on each listing to make sure you set off with all the vitals…)
Just the two of you? Perhaps a last-minute escape to a Wye Valley campsite? Check out our adults-only camping options, or consider cuddling up with a cosy stay in a shepherd’s hut or gypsy caravan. And of course, there are plenty of dog-friendly places to stay too: those woodland trails are just made for excellent walkies.
What to do while camping in the Forest of Dean or Wye Valley
Get set to embrace the open air: the Forest of Dean is packed with places to get out for a forest walk or bike ride, whether you choose to amble at your leisure or pick up a designated trail like the Gloucestershire Way or The Daffodil Way. The Forest of Dean is managed by the Forestry Commission these days, so if you want inspiration for your routes, head on over to one of their visitor centres for ideas and maps.
Kids not yet sold on the fabness of getting out for a walk? Take them off in search of the Gruffalo at Dean Heritage Centre’s themed trail or immerse them in the world of dragons and unicorns at Puzzlewood. Once they’ve gazed up at the trees from ground level, how about getting up into the treetops over at the Go Ape adventure park?
Back down on solid ground, you might like to chuff through the countryside on the Dean Forest Railway, follow the arty Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail or see how the rich folk of yore lived on a visit to Goodrich Castle. Delving underground is a possibility too: the spectacular Clearwell Caves are just down the road from Coleford, and give you a chance to follow in the miners’ footsteps as you wander in caves that are several thousand years old.
And of course, there’s also that other fab local pastime: pick yourself a Wye Valley campsite for easy access to some of the country’s very finest canoeing territory. The slow-moving waters of the wide Wye river make it an excellent spot for families and beginners to build up their skills; more experienced paddlers can set off under their own steam on selected stretches. Keep a gentle pace to have the best chance of catching glimpses of local wildlife: this part of the world is a haven for critters like kingfishers, otters and bats.
Where to next? The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley are handily close to the England/Wales border so why not check out our other sites around England and Wales to make a longer break of it?
