Car Hire Forest Of Dean

The Forest of Dean offers you exceptional driving experiences through ancient woodlands and historic mining landscapes. Major routes including the A40, A48 and M48 provide excellent access to this Gloucestershire gem. You’ll find the region particularly enchanting during spring when bluebells carpet the forest floor, while autumn brings spectacular golden hues. Winter months offer crisp, clear days perfect for scenic drives and summer provides warm weather ideal for outdoor adventures.

Attractions In Forest Of Dean

Experience ancient woodland heritage and outdoor recreation opportunities, offering extensive forest walking trails, historic mining sites, wildlife watching areas and traditional forest villages celebrating centuries of woodland culture.

Puzzlewood

Beginning your Forest of Dean adventure, Puzzlewood on Perrygrove Road in Coleford awaits with its mystical atmosphere from 10 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon daily. This extraordinary nature preserve, boasting a remarkable 4.6 rating from nearly 4,000 reviews, enchants visitors with its otherworldly landscape that inspired filming locations for major productions. You’ll discover atmospheric woodland walks featuring ancient moss-covered rocks, curious farm animals and scenic picnic areas, though sturdy footwear is essential for the uneven terrain.

RSPB Nagshead

We find ourselves drawn to this exceptional nature preserve on Coleford Road in Parkend, where daily visits from 8 AM until 4 PM reveal why it’s become such a beloved destination. The reserve offers us shaded woodland walks perfect for warmer days, with trails ranging from short strolls to longer explorations around tranquil ponds. We can easily access the old railway cycle track that connects to Coleford town centre and the free car park provides convenient access via a short fire road drive.

Mallards Pike

Your journey continues to this stunning national forest near Parkend, open every day from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. With its impressive 4.7 rating from over 1,200 reviews, you’ll understand why both tourists and locals treasure this location. The family-friendly lake trail offers you scenic walking opportunities and the on-site dog-friendly café provides refreshments. You’ll find ample parking available for a fee, plus clean toilet facilities and benches throughout the area for comfortable rest stops.

Go Ape Mallards Pike

We experience pure adrenaline at this thrilling outdoor activity centre, operating Monday and Wednesday through Friday from 10 AM until 4 PM, with weekend hours from 9:30 AM until 2:30 PM. The adventure park challenges us with five increasingly difficult treetop courses, featuring zip lines, rope bridges and the infamous Tarzan swings. We appreciate the thorough safety briefings and dual harness system and the accommodating staff ensure everyone enjoys their high-flying forest adventure, regardless of experience level.

Cannop Ponds

You’ll discover this peaceful national forest sanctuary in Lydney, accessible daily from 8 AM to 5 PM for nature enthusiasts seeking tranquillity. The location offers you far more than simple pond walks, with bike-free pathways ensuring peaceful strolls and extensive forest routes for longer explorations. You can easily extend your visit beyond the main ponds, enjoying hours of circular walks through pristine woodland while completely avoiding busy roads and cycle paths throughout your journey.

Beechenhurst

This brilliant national forest destination on Speech House Road in Coleford welcomes you daily from 8 AM until 5 PM with facilities suitable for all ages and abilities. You’ll find extensive accessible trails, a sculpture trail that’s regularly updated and the thrilling Go Ape attraction for adventure seekers. The excellent on-site café serves quality food and beverages and clean facilities and helpful staff ensure comfortable visits. Dog owners will appreciate the pet-friendly environment and pay-and-display parking provides convenient access.

If you’re planning to explore surrounding areas, consider these nearby destinations:

• Cinderford
• Coleford
• Lydney
• Cambridge
• Newport
• Dursley
• Stonehouse
• Quedgeley

Cyril Hart Arboretum

We find this delightful arboretum on Speech House Road in Coleford perfect for educational woodland experiences and peaceful afternoon outings. The location provides us with clearly labelled trees for botanical study, comfortable seating areas throughout the grounds and easy access to longer forest walks leading to the charming Speech House Lake. We particularly enjoy the combination of structured arboretum displays with opportunities for extended exploration through the surrounding ancient woodland.

Soudley Ponds

Your visit to this stunning national forest at 12 Church Road in Soudley reveals breathtaking woodland walks, pristine lakes and diverse wildlife, including wandering deer. You’ll appreciate the variety of trail options from short family strolls to challenging longer hikes, with stepped dams and bridges connecting multiple lakes. The heritage centre across the road provides convenient parking and the private fishing lakes showcase feeding fish throughout the day, creating perfect photography opportunities for nature enthusiasts.

Forest Of Dean Sculpture Trail

We embark on this captivating hiking adventure along Speech House Road in Coleford, where thought-provoking artworks await discovery throughout our journey. Open continuously day and night, this beloved attraction has earned acclaim from over 2,700 reviews for its magical forest setting. We uncover approximately 15 sculptures during our three-hour exploration, though clear route marking can be challenging. The convenient Beechenhurst Lodge starting point provides map purchases, café facilities and toilet access for our comfort.

Clearwell Caves

You’ll experience this unique underground attraction at The Rocks in Clearwell, open Monday and Thursday through Sunday from 10 AM until 3:30 PM. With its exceptional 4.6 rating from over 2,000 reviews, these fascinating caves combine historical mining heritage with contemporary art exhibitions. You’ll explore atmospheric subterranean chambers filled with mineral extraction remnants, featuring works by renowned artists including Gormley and Lucas. The atmospheric setting transcends typical gallery experiences and the café and outdoor industrial machinery complete your visit.

Dean Forest Railway

We appreciate this magnificent heritage preservation site on Forest Road in Lydney, where the 4.5 rating from over 1,500 visitors reflects its historical significance and charm. The 90-minute steam train journey takes us through beautiful forest scenery, with stops allowing exploration and locomotive maintenance viewing. We value the dedicated volunteers’ enthusiasm and the educational museum, café and shop facilities at the main station, providing comprehensive insights into steam railway operations and local transportation history.

Perrygrove Railway Adventure

Your family adventure awaits at this delightful attraction on Perrygrove Road in Coleford, operating Tuesdays from 10 AM to 3 PM and Thursdays through Sundays from 10 AM until 4 PM. The 4.5 rating from over 1,300 reviews confirms its appeal for both children and adults alike. You’ll enjoy well-maintained facilities, including an excellent playground and friendly staff, ensuring clean, safe environments. The railway experience provides entertainment for all ages, though ticket purchasing during busy periods may require patience.

Dean Heritage Centre

We discovered this wonderful museum at Camp Mill in Soudley, open daily from 10 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon for comprehensive local history exploration. The centre surprises us with its excellent café overlooking peaceful ponds, serving delicious breakfast sandwiches at affordable prices. We enjoy the popular Gruffalo Trail experience and educational exhibits about free mines, forestry practices and traditional tools, whilst the fantastic children’s playground ensures entertainment for all family members throughout our visit.

Hopewell Colliery

Your historical journey continues at this fascinating museum on Speech House Road in Cannop, welcoming visitors daily from 10 AM to 4 PM for mining heritage exploration. The location offers you exceptional home-cooked meals in the bright, spacious café, featuring tender steak pies, hearty cottage pies and indulgent desserts. You’ll appreciate the warm welcome from friendly staff and historical displays about Forest of Dean Freeminers provide educational insights into the region’s unique mining traditions and industrial heritage.

Findall Chimney

We encounter this significant historical landmark along Unnamed Road in Cinderford, representing important industrial heritage from the area’s mining past. The chimney stands as a testament to the Forest of Dean’s rich extractive industry history, offering us glimpses into 19th-century mining operations and their impact on local communities. We find the landmark particularly meaningful when combined with visits to nearby Cinderford caves, providing a comprehensive understanding of the region’s geological and industrial significance throughout different historical periods.

Darkhill Ironworks

You’ll conclude your Forest of Dean exploration at this remarkable historical landmark in Ellwood, accessible for visits all day long. This 19th-century experimental site played a crucial role in iron and steel innovations, contributing significantly to early metallurgical advancements during the Industrial Revolution. You can examine the remaining structures whilst appreciating how this rural location influenced broader industrial development, making it an essential stop for understanding the Forest of Dean’s contribution to Britain’s industrial heritage.