5 DOG FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN THE FOREST OF DEAN

The Forest of Dean is an ideal location for outdoor adventures.  Here are 5 dog friendly activities that you can do during your stay which will be fun for your dog and leave you feeling relaxed and recharged.

Spend some time connecting with nature

We have many walks in the area.  Here are some of the places where I like to walk with my own dogs and where guests have enjoyed visiting with theirs.

  • Woorsgreen Nature Reserve – is a selection of marsh, lake and heath habitats that are home to a wide range of plants and animals and some unusual and rare wildlife. In Spring and Summer it’s a great place to spot dragonflies, damselflies or look for reptiles.  With lots of bird life around the lake, heathland and woodland edges.  At certain times of the year it is also home to English Longhorn Cattle and Exmoor Ponies.
  • Symonds Yat Rock and Biblins Suspension Bridge – 5 trails to explore following the River Wye. Stunning views from ‘The Rock’ which is one of the best places in the country to see peregrine falcons.
  • Cyril Hart Arboretum a pretty circular walk. You can branch off into Speech House Woods and visit Speech House Lake or walk down Spruce Drive or along Trafalgar Square.  Look out for squirrels, deer and wild boar along the route.
  • May Hill – May Hill circular walk is 3 miles and from the peak you can see Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and the black mountains of Wales.
  • The Linear Park –is a wildlife park where you can enjoy feeding the different species of duck, geese and swans that visit the ponds. There is also a butterfly conservation area.

Go on a Tour

The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley have many local award-winning food and drink producers.  The following tours of breweries and vineyards are dog friendly.

  • Hillside Brewery produce a range of beers on a stunning 40-acre farm. They run several dog friendly brewery tours.
  • Parva Farm Vineyard is situated at Tintern in the beautiful Wye Valley. Visitors may take a tour of the vineyard followed by free wine tasting.  Dogs are allowed in all areas if they are kept on leads and are well behaved.

See the countryside from a different perspective

One of the relaxing activities you can do with your dog is kayaking or canoeing down the River Wye.  Several of the companies that hire kayaks and canoes are animal friendly and happy for you to bring your well-trained dog providing that they always remain in the canoe, do not cause a disturbance to others and don’t compromise your own safety.  The scenery is amazing.

 Travel back in Time

The Forest of Dean Railway is a 8.5 mile trip from the Norchard Station to Parkend via steam or diesel train.  There is a café and museum and you pay once and can ride as many times as you like.  Dogs are welcome.

Try one of our Cycle Trails

We are one of the premier destinations in the country for cycling and mountain biking and have many purpose-built trails for you to try.  With several cycle hire companies you are spoilt for choice and many have extras for dogs.  Pedalabikeaway provides snacks and water bowls, Wye Bikes provide trailers specifically for the family dog.  With many trails to choose from including the family trail, one of the most popular trails in Britain, with 10.5 miles of safe traffic free cycling trails following Cannop Valley, through ancient woodland to Drybrook Road Station it’s a lovely way to pass a few hours.

We would love to see your doggy adventures so please remember to take a photo, tag us #woodlandbarnfod

We welcome up to 2 dogs at Woodland Barn FREE… we have an enclosed garden where they are safe to have a run around and a patio with terrace where they can stretch out in the sun.  We have included a few dog-friendly items at Woodland Barn as part of our ‘added extras’ and if you are a member of our VIP listing we like to leave a welcome gift for your dog.

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