This ancient forest has changed many times over the centuries. In medieval times it was a royal hunting forest, before becoming a source of timber for the navy's Tudor warships. By...

The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is the one of the most popular trail centres in the UK. If you're looking for a forest adventure, we have trails for cyclists of all abilities. 

With...

parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in.

These events take place in pleasant forest...

British Cycling and Forestry England have teamed up to offer free, women-only group cycle rides for all abilities in the nation’s forests. Every group ride is led by a qualified Br...

British Cycling and Forestry England have teamed up to offer free, women-only group cycle rides for all abilities in the nation’s forests. Every group ride is led by a qualified Br...

British Cycling and Forestry England have teamed up to offer free, women-only group cycle rides for all abilities in the nation’s forests. Every group ride is led by a qualified Br...

Gravel riding is the perfect way to explore the Forest of Dean, one of the UK’s largest ancient woodlands. Whether you’re an experienced rider, or just starting out, the Forest of...

Stay in one of Britain's most beautiful forests, in a secluded location offering a retreat from the everyday.

Surround yourself in a maze of forest walks, trails and meadow, and...

Horse riding is welcome in the Forest of Dean on byways, bridleways and hard stone tracks.  

Hard stone tracks, or category one forest roads, are often indicated on ordnance...

Switch off, relax, get back to basics and nature with a unique camping experience in the Forest of Dean.

Gather your friends and family, snuggle up in your sleeping bag and take...

What is forest bathing?

This Japanese practice is a process of relaxation; known in Japan as shinrin yoku. The simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing...

Looking to hone your mountain bike skills? We have a number of experienced coaches who can you help you reach the next level of riding.

The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is the...

This red-graded trail has 3 loop options and features challenging and varied singletrack, with a mix of natural and manmade features. From tricky switchback climbs, rooty drops and...

Often referred to as one of the best blue-graded trails in the country, the Verderers Trail is an exciting and adventurous ride.

You will encounter different surface types...

Visitors with permanent or temporary limited mobility can hire one of two ‘Walking with Wheels’ off-road mobility scooters through the Countryside Mobility Scheme.

Off-road mobility...

Founded in 1986, the sculpture trail is a partnership between Forestry England and the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust.

Some of the sculptures are temporary, while others will last...

The Colliers Trail is a fully waymarked, circular route, with connecting routes to villages and picnic sites. This route has been especially surfaced and is suitable for all ages...

14 short, fast downhill trails spread out across the hillside. Expect to find a range of drops, jumps, table tops, berms and loamy corners, off camber and rocky and rooty sections...

Before heading out on the trails make sure you check out our pump track and skills area.

Pump Track

Located on the way out to the trails from the main starting point in the car...

Beechenhurst lies in the heart of the Forest of Dean, one of Britain's oldest and largest woodlands.

It is the ideal place for families to start their forest adventure, with a...

The Forestry Commission is asking residents and visitors to the Forest of Dean to take part in a consultation for a new land management plan for the public forest estate – Our...

Formerly the site of the New Fancy coal mine, come and see the spectacular views that the old spoil heap now provides. The viewpoint is an ideal place to watch birds of prey...

Forestry England is pleased to announce two new additions to our beaver family in Greathough Brook in the Forest of Dean.

Support the forests you love

Become a member of the Forest of Dean and enjoy family adventures, stunning scenic walks, waterside picnics, endless days of fun throughout the seasons...

Visit Speech House Woodland, which is situated close to the most famous building in the Forest of Dean - The Speech House. 

The Speech House was built in 1676 by the King as a...

What is happening?  

We are working to upgrade our parking systems at our main visitor centres across the Forest of Dean (Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, Symonds Yat Rock, Beechenhurst...

The Forest of Dean offers fantastic learning opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, including the opportunity to become a ranger for the day at Beechenhurst with our...

Volunteers are critical in the work we do and we can achieve a lot more with their help.

Volunteers can get involved in as much or as little as they like.  We have a range of tasks

...

Cannop Ponds are two reservoirs within the Forest of Dean, originally created in 1820s to supply a waterwheel at Parkend Ironworks.

Today, they are used for fishing by the Yorkley...

About wild boar

Wild boar are stocky, powerful animals covered in bristly hair that can vary from dark brown almost black in colour to gingery brown. Mature males have tusks that...

Check where you can ride

The varied terrain and scenery in the Forest of Dean make it an ideal place to cycle. The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is the hub of cycling in the Forest...

To make sure you have the best ride on our trails at Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, Forestry England has a continuous schedule of trail maintenance and development. Much of our trail...