Things to do in the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley

A lovely walk around the ponds, which can be extended with a walk through the Forest. The OS map provided in Rose Hideaway will help with this, or feel free to ask us for some tips!

You really can walk for miles here and never see a person! The lake is absolutely beautiful at any time of year and you could sit there for hours in complete peace. A walk here can be extended to the Cyril Hart Arboretum, see seperate listing

Tintern Abbey is a national icon — still standing in roofless splendour on the banks of the River Wye nearly 500 years since its tragic fall from grace.

Riverside walks, sculptures, great for birdwatching, sunsets and steeped in history, Lydney Harbour is well worth visiting as a place of beauty but also to see the power and force of the River Severn and its estuary which has the second highest tidal range in the world.

Admire the picturesque views of the River Wye and surrounding area from this internationally famous viewpoint Discover the ancient hill fort, spot birds of prey and enjoy a snack from the log cabin cafe. There are waymarked trails linking to the River Wye and over the famous Biblins Bridge, or a choice of circular walks into the forest itself. Symonds Yat Rock viewpoint is well known as one of the best places in the country to watch Peregrine Falcons. However, with a little patience, there are many other birds that you can seen here. Goshawks can be viewed in detail, Sparrowhawks are frequent and breed in the trees in the valley as do Buzzards which can be seen from above whilst soaring. Ospreys also often stop here in the spring and autumn migration. Tawny Owls are sometimes seen roosting and hooting males are occasionally heard during the day. Barn Owls, Ravens and Kestrels also usually nest nearby

The Arboretum was established in 1915, with trees brought back by the Victorian plant hunter Ernest Wilson from his 1910 explorations of China. The Cyril Hart Arboretum is home to over 200 tree species. A walk here can be extended to include Speech House Lake (see seperate entry)

One of Britain's oldest and largest woodlands, Beechenhurst offers something for everyone, with an activity trail, Sculpture Trail, play area and Go Ape Tree Top Adventure. If mountain biking is your thing, you can access the Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail from here. Beechenhurst also has a fantastic café, or take your own food to enjoy in their beautiful picnic area. They also have bookable barbecues if you fancy cooking up a feast

Beautifully preserved Chepstow Castle stretches out along a limestone cliff above the River Wye like a history lesson in stone. There’s no better place in Britain to see how castles gradually evolved to cope with ever more destructive weaponry – and the grandiose ambitions of their owners. For more than six centuries Chepstow was home to some of the wealthiest and most powerful men of the medieval and Tudor ages.

Enjoy the peaceful wildlife at Cannop Ponds today The site was originally home to the Severn and Wye Railway, which was constructed to allow exploitation of the mineral resources of the Forest of Dean. The ponds were created in 1825 and 1829 to supply a waterwheel at Parkend Ironworks. Today, they are used for fishing by the Yorkley Angling Club and the site makes an idyllic spot to view local birdlife. Enjoy the picturesque picnic area overlooking the ponds and look out for the Mandarin ducks, reed warblers and a pair of nesting mute swans. Walking trails will take you around the ponds or bring your bikes and join the Family Cycle Trail to explore the wider forest.