Cherry Orchard Farm Camp Site

History buffs should start in the nearby Newland for a gawk at the Cathedral of the Forest’s Miners Brass (a symbol of the Forest of Dean) and to walk the aisles of the centuries-old church, before moving on to the castles, abbeys and stately homes within an hour of base. Clambering around the ruins of Skenfrith Castle is a must before heading on to better-preserved piles at Goodrich, Raglan, Chepstow and Caldicot, or you could stick to the religious theme and make awe-inducing tracks for Tintern Abbey. Prefer a grander experience? The stunning Newark Park, Horton Court and Tredegar House are all about an hour away and well worth the drive. Of course, there’s more to the Forest of Dean than walking and biking, so if you’re not tired of being out in nature, you won’t be barking up the wrong tree here. See the forest under someone else’s steam with trips on the Perrygrove and Dean Forest railways, then have a stop at the ancient woodlands of Puzzlewood (eagle-eyed visitors may recognise it from scenes in Doctor Who, Merlin and Star Wars: The Force Awakens). For a different perspective on this part of Gloucestershire, dive below the surface at Clearwell Caves – a set of caverns that have been mined for thousands of years – or explore it at speed at the Whitecliff Off Road Centre less than five minutes from base.