Forest of dreams CYCLE THE FOREST FAMILY TRAIL
If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise, says ZOE CHAMBERLAIN
DID you know there’s a ‘magical forest’ full of ancient gnarled trees and moss-covered rock formations just 90 minutes from Birmingham? If you have children, you need to take them to Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean. It’s like a version of Disneyland that’s completely natural and green.
Filmmakers have used this wonderland as a backdrop for epic movies such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Doctor Who, Merlin and Atlantis.
Little ones will recognise it in the opening and closing sequences of CBeebies’ Tree Fu Tom.
There’s something otherworldly about Puzzlewood. As soon as you step into the forest, a darkness drops as the sky becomes overtaken with towering, intertwined branches.
Occasional glimpses of sunlight flash through the trees, illuminating brightly coloured lichen and large, eerie rocks that rise vertically, creating natural corridors through the woods.
Fence-lined pathways lead to hidden benches and secret doorways, balancing beams, pretty archways, dinosaur prints and bridges (previously crossed by Stormtroopers, no less!).
You can download an app and search for golden coins, explore a two-storey indoor maze and visit donkeys, sheep, Shetland ponies, ducks and goats.
There’s a lovely café serving hot paninis and great coffee plus a children’s play area and a barn where there’s often craft activities going on.
Once you have explored Puzzlewood, there’s all manner of other fun-filled things to do in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley...
CLEARWELL CAVES
A HUGELY atmospheric, working mine museum, which is great for all ages as it really gives you an insight into what life was like for miners old and young as you go underground to explore 10 caverns.
Our kids had a go at lifting a child miner’s hod onto their backs then stared in awe at the steep ladder the hod boys had to climb to haul it up to the top. We loved the sounds and the lights reflecting on the water in the caverns.
Anecdotes about the ‘widowmaker’ cavern with bottles of medicine hanging on the walls really brought the grim reality of mining times to life.
FOREST OF DEAN ADVENTURE
THIS high ropes obstacle course really gets your pulse racing.
You start off with the crate challenge where, working in teams, you have to stack up to 12 crates and gradually climb to the top. Watch out, it’s wobbly.
Next, you take on the ball challenge walking across a tightrope and grabbing hold of inflatable balls of different heights to make your way to the other side. This gives jaw-droppingly good views of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley – just try not to look down!
You’re rewarded with a fly down the zip wire and then, finally, if you still have your nerves intact, you can take on the ‘leap of faith’ jump, choosing how far away you want the rail to be before you take the plunge.
You can also try archery, a climbing wall and an assault course – it’s not dubbed the ‘Forest of Teen’ for nothing!
YOU can hire bikes (including kids seats, tagalongs, trailers and electric bikes) from Pedalabikeaway in Cannop Valley near Coleford and enjoy a safe 11-mile, traffic-free trail through the forest along old mining railway tracks and forest roads suitable for all ages.
The trail takes in Beechenhurst, Cannop Ponds, New Fancy View and Mallards Pike Lake – with a café stop for some home-made food on the way. And, if you’re quiet, you may spot roe deer and wild boar en route.
LEAF PEEPING AND SPRING WATCHING
YOU can pick up a map to go ‘leaf peeping’ in the autumn (think New England in the Fall) but the 10 hotspots featured, such as Symonds Yat Rock, Goodrich Castle, Tintern and the Devil’s Pulpit, look gorgeous in every season. There’s a four-mile sculpture trail in Beechenhurst, which is ideal for kids as it’s like a treasure hunt in the forest.
KRAZY GOLF LYDNEY
THIS 15 hole crazy golf course is themed around all the different tourist attractions in the area. You buy a Day Pass (£5.75 adults, £4.75 children) to enjoy unlimited golf, air hockey, pool and table tennis in the games barn plus outdoor garden games too. It’s also home to Sparky’s Diner – worth a visit for its American memorabilia on the walls and build-your-own burgers.