free days out in the Forest of Dean

dont_want_to_be_in_debt

Can anyone help, we're taking the kids away in a caravan to the Forest of Dean in May. So skint can barely afford the petrol but want to give the kids a holiday. Is there anywhere we can take them in the area that wont cost the earth. Outdoors walking is fine, just want them to have fun. Thanks Michele

slobbery

There is a fantastic visitor centre there with a playground and a really good sculpture trail through the woods which goes on for a few miles. All the sculptures are enormous and the kids love discovering them. I live not too far away and we go at least once a year. There is often events on there as well. http://www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk/

Also recommended is puzzle wood which is exactly what it says, and clearwell caves are very good too but both these do cost, though not sure how much.
http://www.fweb.org.uk/dean/visitor/places/placewest.html

Lorian

Symonds Yat is not far and is a great place for walking and views of the wye valley:



Also kids will love the streams in the forest (I did, a long time ago), there are several places you can park up and play.

Savvy_Sue

Not free, not too pricey either and you'll spend longer there than you expect, is the Amazing Hedge Puzzle Maze. They don't seem to have opening dates for 2006 on the site yet, but since they were open pretty much all year last year, I'd expect them to be open from now, certainly in May half-term! It's near Symonds Yat.

It's a couple of years since we went, but there was a picnic area there then. Also a number of other 'attractions' almost on top of it which we didn't investigate. As I said you'll spend far longer there than you anticipate.

What ages are the children? I don't think it will matter TBH, the brothers who run it say that even bored teenagers have been known to enjoy themselves there! Oh, and yes, you can get a pushchair round the paths if there are tiddlers in your party.

Honestly, I know it sounds crazy but I'd have it on my 'must-do' list for that area.

Symbeaux1

I'm so jealous, we stayed at the Forest of Dean caravan park a couple of years back, it was an absolutely lovely site, the site itself has lots of paths wondering off in all directions it was a family friendly park and the kids played out till it went dark and everybody sat outside. We loved it.

mirandamayhem

Wenchford is a gorgeous picnic and bbq area where the kids can paddle if weather is good, and mallard's pike too.
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandGloucestershireForestofDeanForestOfDeanWenchford
like someone said the sculpture trail is lovely.
in fact, the whole forest is grgeous. we live in gloucester and go atleast once a month for a walk.
might be something on here
http://www.visitforestofdean.co.uk/see.htm

tangerine_2

You really will have a brill time, am so jealous went there last August for B'day. If you are stopping at Bracelands/Forestry Commission site there is a free playground on site. Also a lovely walk right to Symonds Yat and then an alternative route bcak. It brings you right into the camp site. Start off by the aerial centre and just follow the trail! We also did Clearwell Caves not that good and slighty pricey But Puzzle Wood is a must fairly cheap and a lovely day out. ENJOY!. :j

lellie

Savvy_Sue wrote:

Not free, not too pricey either and you'll spend longer there than you expect, is the Amazing Hedge Puzzle Maze. They don't seem to have opening dates for 2006 on the site yet, but since they were open pretty much all year last year, I'd expect them to be open from now, certainly in May half-term! It's near Symonds Yat.

It's a couple of years since we went, but there was a picnic area there then. Also a number of other 'attractions' almost on top of it which we didn't investigate. As I said you'll spend far longer there than you anticipate.

What ages are the children? I don't think it will matter TBH, the brothers who run it say that even bored teenagers have been known to enjoy themselves there! Oh, and yes, you can get a pushchair round the paths if there are tiddlers in your party.

Honestly, I know it sounds crazy but I'd have it on my 'must-do' list for that area.

the maze is rubbish.. I live about 5 mins from there and hated it as a kid.. it takes about 30 seconds to get to the centre. :S have been quite a few times too..

hmm.. There's a nice place next to "the ferry inn" on the river wye which is great for paddling in on a nice day..

the sculpture trail is quite nice.. some bits are better than others.. the stain glass window is nice and the giant's chair is quite impressive..

erm what else? Fossil hunting on the banks of the river severn can be great fun.. and free!

forest of dean railway if you've got ickle kids - it's not free but pretty cheap. I loved it as a kid as I was a huge thomas the tank engine fan.

Savvy_Sue

lellie wrote:

the maze is rubbish.. I live about 5 mins from there and hated it as a kid.. it takes about 30 seconds to get to the centre. :S have been quite a few times too..

But you missed the point! The delightful gentlemen who own and run it make it clear that the point of a maze is not necessarily to get to the centre, but to play games in it! And I was astonished to find that the four kids I took did just that! Even though one of them was only there under sufferance, because I couldn't leave him at home!

We'll await the OP's verdict ...