Whitemead Forest Park

View prices & book 9.3 423 reviews
Aerial shot of the hardstanding and the tent pitches (added by manager 28 Jul 2021)
Aerial shot of the hardstanding and the tent pitches
Pool
Well-spaced pitches
Lodge
Apartment exteriors
Camping pods
Pods
Grass pitches
1/242
Favourite
Pool
Well-spaced pitches
Lodge

  • Well-equipped park just outside Parkend in the Forest of Dean
  • Puzzlewood and Clearwell Caves within a 10-minute drive
  • Indoor swimming pool, spa area, restaurant and kids' activities
As you’d expect from the name, Whitemead Forest Park is surrounded by woodland. And not just any old woodland... but the age-old Forest of Dean, one-time stamping ground of the royals and their pals. It’s not hard to see why the regal types would flock to this part of Gloucestershire – the surrounds are most scenic, and packed with plenty of things to do including days of wandering among ancient trees (on foot, on bikes or on horseback), exploring spooky caves and riding rural railways. So far, so peaceful… and that vibe is stretched out to the park’s facilities too, which include a free gym, sauna, steam room and spa pools. And if you’re in charge of kids that have more active plans in mind? Such scenarios are sorted too: the indoor swimming pool has a kids’ area, and there are also several outdoor play areas scattered around the site. Through the summer holidays, the park’s all abuzz with various activities they can join in with (for an extra charge). Despite all this activity, there’s little chance of going hungry here – the restaurant serves all day from breakfast to dinner (via afternoon tea…) with a couple of bars also on hand to provide the drinks and entertainment. If you’d like to venture out, there are a couple of pubs in the nearby village of Parkend (10 minutes’ walk) and lots of restaurants and shops in Lydney (10 minutes’ drive).

Campground type

Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 88
Caravan sites 71
Tent sites 30
RV & Motorhome sites 71
Open now
Opens 26 January

Tourist board rating

Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The campground/park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dog Act (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Bookings must not be for more than 21 consecutive nights.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 26 Jan 2024 to

Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent sitesCaravan sitesRV & Motorhome sitesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsCaravans for hireRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children

Reviews

9.3

Overall rating based on 423 reviews View breakdown

Bush

Voted 87% of visitors View breakdown

96%

would recommend this campground to a friend

94%

would stay here again

  • 74%
    10
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    8
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    6
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    1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Beautiful site in a beautiful part of the U.K.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Gill J. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Powered gravel and concrete caravan site

Liked: We loved everything! All the facilities are 5 ⭐️ Staff are fabulous. We found the site by accident and used it as a stop off on the way back from Cornwall. Loved it so much we booked another stay before we left. It’s a tranquil site with lots to do with or without children. The evening entertainment is good. We were looking at the shows coming up and they look great. Places to visit in the local area if you wanted to explore. We went on the steam train (10 min drive) for afternoon tea and to Tintern Abbey, which is magnificent.

Disliked: Nothing here to dislike.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Professional outfit

Overall 10/10
Location 8
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Stuart W. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Powered gravel and concrete caravan site

Liked: Good clean facilities, good bar/ restaurant.

Disliked: Nothing although could be a nightmare in the summer holidays as quite geared for kids.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Would return but some downfalls

Overall 6/10
Location 8
Value for money 8
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 10
bethan b. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Powered gravel and concrete caravan site

Liked: Entertainment, pub, swimming pool, gym on site, activities for children and large field, dog exercise area with assault course. Pitch sizes were good. Shower block clean and tidy, shower was continual not a push button with a separate area to dress. Seen a deer while there!

Disliked: Narrow to get into, there was a rat issue while we were there, with a rats nest behind the pitch next to us BUT it was being dealt with. We were a fair distance to the shower blocks & toilets

Recommend to friends Visit again

I would say it’s for families but not for dog owners

Overall 6/10
Location 6
Value for money 6
Accommodation 6
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 4
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 4
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

The Mead powered gravel and concrete tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Layout of site / new cafe /

Disliked: Not as advertised dog friendly / you can't take you dog into the main building only area is outside / poor Wi fi

Recommend to friends Visit again

The facilities were immaculate and the site was well maintained…

Overall 8/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 8
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 6
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Powered gravel and concrete caravan site

Liked: The facilities were immaculate and the site was well maintained

Disliked: Having to leave a touring pitch by 11am is a shame as it cuts a whole day off your holiday. I am unsure what actually needs to be done to the pitch when check in isn’t until 3pm?

Recommend to friends Visit again

Fantastic stay! Will be going again for sure

Overall 8/10
Location 10
Value for money 8
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 8
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 6
Wifi 6
Sophie C. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

The Mead powered gravel and concrete tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Great powerful hot showers Good food from the onsite pub Great extra facilities like the pool, mini golf and activities Pitches are huge and well spaced You don’t feel cramped at all Quite Very large site with other options of accommodation if you want to go as a group who don’t camp In a great area. Loads to do, walks We had two dogs and they loved it!

Disliked: Showers were quite dirty and muddy at times

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great campsite

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Debbie W. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Powered gravel and concrete caravan site

Liked: The campsite was clean and tidy , the staff very helpful. It was our 2nd time away and we found the site was perfect.

Disliked: Non

Recommend to friends Visit again

Open space Nice staff Good food Excellent facilities…

Overall 8/10
Location 10
Value for money 8
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 8
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Mega camping pod (no pets)

Liked: Open space Nice staff Good food Excellent facilities

Disliked: No transportation (we tried to use ober to go to the train station but no one accepted our request. Therefore, we walked from the camp to Lydney train station which is around 2 hours in a dangerous road). No cocker The shop has limited things to buy especially the fruits and the vegetables

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hello, Thank you for your feedback regarding your recent stay. Areas such as the Forest of Dean do not have facilities such as Uber. We are located in a very rural location which is what most of our customers enjoy. Apart from this, we hope you enjoyed your stay. If you visit us again, we will be more than happy to assist you with finding local taxi phone numbers before you arrive onsite with us.

Great holiday park, will go back

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 8
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 8
Nyall D. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Powered gravel and concrete caravan site

Liked: Great facilities Clean Good gluten free options in the food places Food great

Disliked: Not much

Recommend to friends Visit again

Good site

Overall 8/10
Location No rating
Value for money 8
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 8
john p. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Powered gravel and concrete caravan site

Liked: Pitches ample space plenty of walks ideal if you have dog terrace area large Toilets clean with plenty hot water available. Friendly staff

Disliked: Food quality could be improved

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Dogs allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Hot tub Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundry Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Bush Gastronomic delight Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby

Type

Large (51-200 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Mountain biking nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Water hook-up points for caravans

Location

Whitemead Forest Park

Parkend

Lydney

Gloucestershire

England

GL15 4LA

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

51.76784°N
-2.56431°W

Nearest transport

Coach
11.7 km Bus Station
16.2 km Bus Station
16.3 km Cantilupe Road
Rail
6.4 km Lydney Rail Station
15.2 km Cam & Dursley Rail Station
16 km Chepstow Rail Station
Ferry
7.4 km Sharpness Old Docks
7.5 km Lydney Harbour
30.9 km Bristol Docks Ferry Landing
Airport
31.3 km Gloucestershire Airport
43.6 km Bristol International Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

For those seeking a bit of peace and quiet, there are stacks of splendid trails around the Forest of Dean to ramble or ride bikes along (and a bike hire place a few minutes’ walk away in Parkend if you need it). Should the kids demand more from their woodland outings, take them along to seek out dragons and unicorns along the themed trails at Puzzlewood, or launch themselves into the air on the ziplines and high ropes courses at Go Ape; both are 10 minutes away by car. Much of the area’s attraction is linked to its natural good looks, but there’s also manmade interest in the form of the miners’ caverns at Clearwell Caves and the puffing steam trains of the Dean Forest Railway (both 10 minutes' drive). In the unlikely event that you tire of this scenery, head west to the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for days visiting Goodrich Castle (20 minutes) and the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo (25 minutes), or canoeing from Symonds Yat (25 minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Clevedon Beach 42.2 km Estuary N/A Good Good Good

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

WWT Slimbridge Wetlands Centre 11.4 km

Berkeley Castle 11.5 km

Caldicot Castle & Country Park 11.5 km

Goodrich Castle 12 km

Chepstow Castle 15.8 km

National Trust

The Kymin 9.8 km

Westbury Court Garden 12.1 km

Skenfrith Castle 20 km

Woodchester Park 20.7 km

Newark Park 22.6 km

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Parkend - Oakenhill Wood - Moseley Green - Church Hill - Parkend 0.2 km

Parkend - Cannop Ponds - Nag's Head RSPB Reserve - Parkend 0.2 km

Nagshead Visitor Centre - RSPB Reserve - Nagshead Visitor Centre 0.8 km

Nagsgead RSPB Reserve - Cannop Ponds - Speech House 0.8 km

NAGSHEAD (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 23/09/2003) 1.3 km

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Offers

Tent siteCaravan siteRV & Motorhome site
Powered gravel and concrete caravan site
  • 10% off September Discounts –
  • 10% off September Discounts –
Tent siteRV & Motorhome site
The Mead powered gravel and concrete tent, campervan or trailer tent site
  • 10% off September Discounts –
  • 10% off September Discounts –

Conditions apply - see site type section for details

Nearest campgrounds

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Gloucestershire?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Whitemead Forest Park have a swimming pool? Yes View all features
  • Is Whitemead Forest Park dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Whitemead Forest Park? For those seeking a bit of peace and quiet, there are stacks of splendid trails around the Forest of Dean to ramble or ride bikes along (and a bike hire place a … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Whitemead Forest Park?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  7 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  7 p.m.
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Whitemead Forest Park? From $54.46 (for 1 night, 6 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.