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Local area guide · Gloucestershire

Group-Friendly Things To Do in the Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean is a vast ancient woodland on the Gloucestershire–Wales border, home to wild boar, red deer and some of England's best walking and outdoor activities. It's a premier destination for groups wanting woodland immersion without compromising on comfort.This guide is written for large groups looking to explore the forest — walkers, cyclists, families wanting a mix of adventure and relaxation, and anyone seeking a proper change of pace from city life. It covers where to eat (pubs and restaurants scattered through the forest villages), things to do (caves, high ropes, water sports, forest trails), and how to make the most of an ancient, working landscape.

Where to stay in Forest of DeanAdd an experience at the house

Where to stay

Group houses to rent in Forest of Dean

Whole-house rentals on our books in and around Forest of Dean — exclusive use, booked direct with the owner.

Bring it to the house

Group experiences at your house in Forest of Dean

These six travel to any house we list, Forest of Dean included. The host turns up with everything needed, so nobody has to book a table or a taxi.

Staying at Mill End Mitcheldean or The White House? Give us the house and your dates when you ask for a quote and we’ll price it for that address, travel included.

Want something else? The full list is on our group experiences page, though some of those need a local venue, so check the area on each one.

See every experience

Eating & drinking

Group-friendly restaurants and pubs in Forest of Dean

Places that can take a big table. Phone ahead and give them as much notice as you can.

  • The Saracens Head

    Symonds Yat. Proper forest inn with dining, overlooking the River Wye; atmospheric spot for a group dinner and worth the drive to the clifftop location.

  • The White Horse

    Staunton, Coleford. Country pub with reliable food and friendly staff used to handling groups; quieter than the clifftop spots and a good base for a laid-back evening.

  • The Butchers Arms

    Clearwell. Village pub serving proper food in a cosy setting; worth booking ahead if you're bringing a party of more than 10.

  • Tudor Farmhouse Hotel Restaurant

    Clearwell. Proper restaurant in a hotel setting with a more upmarket feel than the pubs; good for a celebration dinner if the group wants something a step up.

  • The Ostrich Inn

    Newland, Coleford. Traditional forest inn known for its ale and good-natured bar; less formal than sit-down dining but a popular stop for groups passing through.

  • The New Inn

    Shortstanding, near Coleford. Friendly local with hearty food; a smaller, quieter option if your group wants to split across venues for the night.

Menus, opening hours and group policies change — always confirm directly with the venue.

Things to do

Things to do in Forest of Dean for large groups

Days out and wet-weather fallbacks that work for ten or more, from gentle to energetic.

  • Puzzlewood

    Ancient woodland with a hedge maze, mirror maze and sculpture trail; an easy, fun half-day activity that suits mixed abilities and keeps everyone amused without being strenuous.

  • Clearwell Caves

    Iron ore mines turned show caves with underground lake and formations; a unique 45-minute guided tour that's memorable and group-friendly, though narrow passages mean it's not suitable for claustrophobia.

  • Go Ape Beechenhurst

    High ropes course with ziplines and tree-top bridges; brilliant for active groups and available for large-group bookings — splits your party across different course difficulty levels.

  • Dean Heritage Centre

    Museum and historic village recreating life in the Forest of Dean, with trails, exhibitions and a café; a gentle morning that tells the story of the forest without being academic.

  • Forest of Dean walks

    The forest has outstanding walking: Sculpture Trail (art installations through the trees), Cannop Ponds (easy, flat 2-mile loop), and trails from Symonds Yat for panoramic views. Mix flat and hilly options to suit your group.

  • Wye Pursuits water sports

    Canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding on the River Wye; a brilliant group activity from spring through autumn, with guided tours and instruction for mixed experience levels.

Check current tickets, group availability and access directly with the operator.

Good to know

Practical tips for a big group in Forest of Dean

The big shop, getting around and the things worth sorting before everyone arrives.

Good to know

  • Forest of Dean is one of England's premier group holiday destinations, with excellent visitor infrastructure spread across villages like Coleford, Clearwell and around Symonds Yat.
  • Supermarket shopping is best done in Coleford (Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose), about 10 minutes from most of the attractions.
  • The Forest of Dean has outstanding car parks with facilities and well-marked trails; spring and autumn are lovely, but winter can be muddy and summer brings crowds to honey-pot spots like Symonds Yat.
  • The area sits on the Gloucestershire–Wales border; Tintern Abbey and other Welsh attractions are 15–20 minutes away if part of the group wants a day trip across the border.
  • Mountain biking is huge in the Forest of Dean; if your group includes cyclists, dozens of off-road trails suit all levels.
  • Parking is generally free at Forest Commission car parks; Symonds Yat is the busiest spot and fills early on summer weekends, so either arrive early or choose a quieter trailhead.
  • Public transport in the forest is limited; a car or two is virtually essential for a group stay.
  • The forest is a working forest, not a nature reserve; forestry activity, weather-related path closures, and seasonal hunts do occasionally affect access — check ahead for major activities.
  • Restaurants, opening hours and attractions change over time — the details above were correct when researched, so it's worth double-checking anything time-critical directly with the venue before you go.

More local guides

Other group-friendly area guides

The same format for other UK towns and villages that work well for a big group.

Keep planning the trip

Once the house is settled, the rest of it — dates, the food shop, which experience to book, who is paying for what — is the part that usually drags. Our free group trip planner keeps the itinerary, the budget and the group in one place, and you can share it with everyone on a single link.

Still choosing where to go? Browse every large group house on Group Escape Houses, or look at Group accommodation in the Cotswolds.

Bring the whole group to Forest of Dean

Exclusive-use houses, booked direct with the owner — no commission and no hotel corridors.

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