What’s Nearby?
Dean Forest Retreats has an enviable location, situated right in the heart of the Forest of Dean, with its major attractions all within a 10 mile radius. The Wye Valley is also within striking distance with famous spots such as Tintern Abbey and Symonds Yat and the historic towns of Chepstow, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth all within a half an hour drive.
Walking & Cycling
In the immediate vicinity, there are a number of tracks through the woods within walking distance of the property. Just turn right or left out of the drive and head up into the forest through the various paths/forestry commission tracks. Local maps including popular walking and cycle routes are provided for guests to borrow during their stay. We also offer a safe lockable facility for bikes onsite. The Forest of Dean is well known as a mountain-biking mecca and there are many routes through the forest. The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre in Cannop has routes for all ages and abilities
If you prefer quieter spots, then we would recommend New Fancy, Soudley Ponds and the Cyril Hart Arboretum / Spruce Ride. There are also hundreds of Forestry tracks where you can just pull up and walk or cycle.
The Wyedean Tourism website has lots of ideas for days out/cycle routes/walks/eating out
Canoeing and Kayaking on the River Wye
The Wye Valley also has many opportunities for walking, cycling and messing about on the river! The following companies offer canoeing/kayaking on the River Wye:-
Wyedean Canoe Hire, Symonds Yat East
Canoe the Wye Ltd, Symonds Yat West
Wye Canoes, Symonds Yat West
Local Attractions
Other Local Attractions
Go Ape Treetop Challenge & Forest Segway
Puzzlewood, Coleford (ancient woodland)
Clearwell Caves (underground cave system)
Dean Forest Railway, Lydney (steam and diesel train journeys)
Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley (local histrory museum & cafe)
Hopewell Colliery (museum and working mine with cafe)
Littledean Jail (18th-century prison housing exhibits on crime) – Not for the faint-hearted!
Taurus Crafts, Lydney (cafe, arts and crafts shops & workshops)
Harts Barn Craft Centre, Longhope (craft centre, cafe and cookery school)
Krazy Golf Lydney
Battlesports Glos (Laser Tag), Newnham
Forest of Dean Adventure Golf, Newnham
Local Pubs and Eating Out
Some of our favourite nearby eateries:
The Cross, Aylburton
Free-house and quality restaurant with beer garden
Bolters, Coleford
Family-run restaurant serving serving high quality, homemade dishes made with local ingredients from local suppliers. Speciality: gourmet burgers
The Lyon Inn, Westbury-on-Severn
Local pub and restaurant offering a modern British menu using local ingredients
Severn Wye Smokery
Gloucestershire’s No 1 foodie destination, the Severn and Wye Smokery offers a Michelin star fine dining restaurant, cafe, food hall / delicatessen and top class fishmongers. Specialities: fish and seafood.
Pubs in and around Blakeney (within walking distance)
The Cock Inn, Blakeney
Friendly local serving traditional pub food
The New Inn, Viney Hill
Friendly local traditional pub
Local Farm Shops and Delicatessens
Hanley Farm Shop, Chepstow
Farm shop, deli and local butchery and cafe
Severn Wye Smokery
Food hall/delicatessen and top class fishmongers
Forest Deli
Local delicatessen stocking a wide range of Forest of Dean and Wye Valley produce
Local Take Aways
Railway Tandoori, Newnham
Restaurant/take away – delivery available
Blakeney Chip In
(Fish and Chips Shop – delivery available)
Jimmy’s Kitchen, Lydney
Chinese takeaway
NG Thai Food, Lydney
Restaurant and take away
Rominos Pizza, Lydney
Pizza and kebabs – delivery available
Supermarkets
- Lydney (5 minute drive) – Large Tesco and Co-op
- Cinderford (10 minute drive) – Co-op and Lidl
- Coleford (15 minute drive) – Co-op and Lidl
- Chepstow (25 minute drive) – Large Tesco and M&S Food
- Monmouth (30 minute drive) – Waitrose, Marks and Spencer Food, Aldi
*Blakeney also has a local shop for essentials
Getting Around
By Rail
Lydney Train Station (5 miles)
Gloucester Train Station (17 miles)
By Bus
Stagecoach operates a number of services (22, 23 and 24) that run throughout the Forest of Dean (from Gloucester and Chepstow) stopping at Blakeney The nearest bus stop is in Blakeney and is a 10-15 minute walk.
Local Taxi Services
K&T Taxis Lydney, Lydney 01594 845913
CDS Taxis & Private Hire, Coleford 01594 834834