Wye Valley Lodge Guidebook
Activities
Local day-out ideas to enjoy!
Beautiful local protected sites with farm animals, stunning woodland and cafe. Great for families and friends.
Many films hired these spaces for famous scenes - including Star Wars.
Peppered with protruding roots, meandering pathways and dramatic natural landscape, there is plenty of magic to be found in this atmospheric 14 acre ancient woodland.
Meet animals grazing in their paddocks including goats, donkeys, Shetland ponies, cattle, sheep, hens and ducks. The indoor and outdoor mazes add to the sense of adventure with secret doors, hidden animal pictures and endless twists and turns! The play area is a good place for children to blow off steam and parents can relax.
Nature’s backdrop to your own movie!
Toddler racing track
Picnic benches
Seasonal events
159 moradores locais recomendam
Puzzlewood
Perrygrove RoadBeautiful local protected sites with farm animals, stunning woodland and cafe. Great for families and friends.
Many films hired these spaces for famous scenes - including Star Wars.
Peppered with protruding roots, meandering pathways and dramatic natural landscape, there is plenty of magic to be found in this atmospheric 14 acre ancient woodland.
Meet animals grazing in their paddocks including goats, donkeys, Shetland ponies, cattle, sheep, hens and ducks. The indoor and outdoor mazes add to the sense of adventure with secret doors, hidden animal pictures and endless twists and turns! The play area is a good place for children to blow off steam and parents can relax.
Nature’s backdrop to your own movie!
Toddler racing track
Picnic benches
Seasonal events
Lovely local family park, pitstop site with foods and interesting spots.
Tintern Old Station
Built as a Victorian country railway station, the Old Station, Tintern is a charming site to visit for a quiet relaxing day out or to start your walk through the beautiful Wye Valley. The trains don't run from here any more so it's got a wonderfully antiquey atmosphere excellent for getting kids' imaginations going!
The site features a pleasing riverside walk and meadows to explore, a children's adventure play area with equipment suitable for 2 to 12s, a wide picnic site with barbecues for hire or tearoom if you prefer. There's also a tourist information point and a secluded basic camp site that you can book into to extend your stay. The signal box houses changing exhibitions from local artists and crafts people so there's plenty for little eyes to look at and it'll change pretty much every time you go.
The cool Circle of Legends wood carvings which are hidden around feature local mythical or historic characters, forming a series of trails throughout Monmouthshire with delightful surprises where one least expects them.
18 moradores locais recomendam
The Old Station Tintern
Tintern HeightsLovely local family park, pitstop site with foods and interesting spots.
Tintern Old Station
Built as a Victorian country railway station, the Old Station, Tintern is a charming site to visit for a quiet relaxing day out or to start your walk through the beautiful Wye Valley. The trains don't run from here any more so it's got a wonderfully antiquey atmosphere excellent for getting kids' imaginations going!
The site features a pleasing riverside walk and meadows to explore, a children's adventure play area with equipment suitable for 2 to 12s, a wide picnic site with barbecues for hire or tearoom if you prefer. There's also a tourist information point and a secluded basic camp site that you can book into to extend your stay. The signal box houses changing exhibitions from local artists and crafts people so there's plenty for little eyes to look at and it'll change pretty much every time you go.
The cool Circle of Legends wood carvings which are hidden around feature local mythical or historic characters, forming a series of trails throughout Monmouthshire with delightful surprises where one least expects them.
Experience the delight of the insect world's most serene and beautiful beasts at the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo!
Your family can walk amongst free flying tropical butterflies in the indoor hot house and see them sipping nectar, finding a mate and laying eggs. In fact, every stage of a butterflies' existence is either displayed, documented or happening in front of you!
They do wonderful work in butterfly conservation too so whether you want to wander around giggling and staring or learn everything about everything, there are options to suit both!
Elsewhere on site you'll also find some superb family fun features to back up the butterfly house, including an awesome hedge maze of a decent size and difficulty, alongside which is a speciality puzzle shop! So take the pocket money along.
Then you've got the Roman Ruin themed mini golf: an eminently playable little course of 12-holes with tasteful historical landscaping and features. Happily this is a wonderfully accessible course, with full wheelchair access, differing length putters and ball lifting apparatus available for use.
It's also home to Wye Valley Warfare: an outdoor laser tag arena offering a down and dirty realistic combat experience without the contact and the injuries. Show us your war face!
Plus the Visitor Centre offers indoor and outdoor picnicking facilities, great tourist information resources for planning local trips, Tea Room Cafe and the Riverside Church.
115 moradores locais recomendam
Cavernas de Clearwell
The RocksExperience the delight of the insect world's most serene and beautiful beasts at the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo!
Your family can walk amongst free flying tropical butterflies in the indoor hot house and see them sipping nectar, finding a mate and laying eggs. In fact, every stage of a butterflies' existence is either displayed, documented or happening in front of you!
They do wonderful work in butterfly conservation too so whether you want to wander around giggling and staring or learn everything about everything, there are options to suit both!
Elsewhere on site you'll also find some superb family fun features to back up the butterfly house, including an awesome hedge maze of a decent size and difficulty, alongside which is a speciality puzzle shop! So take the pocket money along.
Then you've got the Roman Ruin themed mini golf: an eminently playable little course of 12-holes with tasteful historical landscaping and features. Happily this is a wonderfully accessible course, with full wheelchair access, differing length putters and ball lifting apparatus available for use.
It's also home to Wye Valley Warfare: an outdoor laser tag arena offering a down and dirty realistic combat experience without the contact and the injuries. Show us your war face!
Plus the Visitor Centre offers indoor and outdoor picnicking facilities, great tourist information resources for planning local trips, Tea Room Cafe and the Riverside Church.
Perrygrove Railway is the steam train for all ages and all weathers!
A charming railway in the Royal Forest of Dean where friendly staff welcome you. Fun for children in their Treetop Adventure and Indoor Village with secret passages: treasure boxes are hidden here! 4 stations, each with paths to walk through ancient woods and solve the riddle of the Gale Stone.
Lots of picnic tables outside and under cover. A Victorian baronet's private steam railway train on display. Your ticket lasts all day: enjoy as many train rides as you like!
This is a great place to bring grandchildren for a day out. Don't forget to join in with the treasure hunt, the railway supplies a key to a box of hidden treasure and clues to help you find it. Ride off on the train to look for clues then come back to the indoor village to find your treasure box!
Plus for a Birthday Party you can get Entrance to Perrygrove and all the normal activities; use of the decorated party room; party platters of food and carton of drink for the children; Treasure Hunts for all the children; hot drinks for all the adults; the birthday boy's or girl's name on the headboard of the train and a really special day that'll leave you all chuffed!
55 moradores locais recomendam
Ferrovia de Perrygrove
Perrygrove RoadPerrygrove Railway is the steam train for all ages and all weathers!
A charming railway in the Royal Forest of Dean where friendly staff welcome you. Fun for children in their Treetop Adventure and Indoor Village with secret passages: treasure boxes are hidden here! 4 stations, each with paths to walk through ancient woods and solve the riddle of the Gale Stone.
Lots of picnic tables outside and under cover. A Victorian baronet's private steam railway train on display. Your ticket lasts all day: enjoy as many train rides as you like!
This is a great place to bring grandchildren for a day out. Don't forget to join in with the treasure hunt, the railway supplies a key to a box of hidden treasure and clues to help you find it. Ride off on the train to look for clues then come back to the indoor village to find your treasure box!
Plus for a Birthday Party you can get Entrance to Perrygrove and all the normal activities; use of the decorated party room; party platters of food and carton of drink for the children; Treasure Hunts for all the children; hot drinks for all the adults; the birthday boy's or girl's name on the headboard of the train and a really special day that'll leave you all chuffed!

Attraction Information
Enjoy a relaxing family day out, filled with arts and crafts, at Taurus Crafts visitor centre in Lydney. Check out the works of local artisan makers and get in touch with your own creative side. The centre is part of the Camphill Village Trust, which supports people with special needs, so you’ll be helping a good cause on your day out, as well.
Taurus Crafts is always lively and buzzing with local families but it’s particularly popular during the school holidays, as the centre organises many exciting events for your little ones. Kids will have the opportunity to take part in lots of hands-on activities for little to no money.
At Taurus Crafts, you’ll also have the chance to browse through many little, independent, arts and crafts shops, offering anything from jewellery, to glass work, to antiques and local food. Speaking of food, don’t miss the chance to stop for a delicious meal, or a slice of freshly baked cake at the on-site café!
Great for arts & crafts lovers
Playground, cafe and shops
School holiday activities for kids
46 moradores locais recomendam
Taurus Crafts

Attraction Information
Enjoy a relaxing family day out, filled with arts and crafts, at Taurus Crafts visitor centre in Lydney. Check out the works of local artisan makers and get in touch with your own creative side. The centre is part of the Camphill Village Trust, which supports people with special needs, so you’ll be helping a good cause on your day out, as well.
Taurus Crafts is always lively and buzzing with local families but it’s particularly popular during the school holidays, as the centre organises many exciting events for your little ones. Kids will have the opportunity to take part in lots of hands-on activities for little to no money.
At Taurus Crafts, you’ll also have the chance to browse through many little, independent, arts and crafts shops, offering anything from jewellery, to glass work, to antiques and local food. Speaking of food, don’t miss the chance to stop for a delicious meal, or a slice of freshly baked cake at the on-site café!
Great for arts & crafts lovers
Playground, cafe and shops
School holiday activities for kids

Attraction Information
The fun and welcoming Whirlikidz play centre has a pretty large indoor play structure for the big kids boasting big slides, small tunnels and plenty more to explore all in a gentle jungle theme.
There's a 4 lane waterfall slide to race friends on or a spiralling tube slide from the uppermost floor if you want to go it alone! There are tunnels and bridges and other features too, plenty to keep most kids under 10 happy for a couple of hours and getting exercise without realising it!
The dual level toddler and baby area is replete with all things cute and squashy (and we're not talking about the babies either) and offers a mini slide, a magic mirror and bijou biff bash, plus space to crawl and more soft items to handle and move.
There are also regular mother and toddler sessions offered which include free squash and snack for the little ones, led arts and crafts with materials included, plus story time and singing. Lovely!
And of course if you'd like to have a birthday party there then there are options for that with standard, toddler and VIP versions available to choose from.
Whirlikidz
2 School Hill
Attraction Information
The fun and welcoming Whirlikidz play centre has a pretty large indoor play structure for the big kids boasting big slides, small tunnels and plenty more to explore all in a gentle jungle theme.
There's a 4 lane waterfall slide to race friends on or a spiralling tube slide from the uppermost floor if you want to go it alone! There are tunnels and bridges and other features too, plenty to keep most kids under 10 happy for a couple of hours and getting exercise without realising it!
The dual level toddler and baby area is replete with all things cute and squashy (and we're not talking about the babies either) and offers a mini slide, a magic mirror and bijou biff bash, plus space to crawl and more soft items to handle and move.
There are also regular mother and toddler sessions offered which include free squash and snack for the little ones, led arts and crafts with materials included, plus story time and singing. Lovely!
And of course if you'd like to have a birthday party there then there are options for that with standard, toddler and VIP versions available to choose from.
Experience the delight of the insect world's most serene and beautiful beasts at the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo!
Your family can walk amongst free flying tropical butterflies in the indoor hot house and see them sipping nectar, finding a mate and laying eggs. In fact, every stage of a butterflies' existence is either displayed, documented or happening in front of you!
They do wonderful work in butterfly conservation too so whether you want to wander around giggling and staring or learn everything about everything, there are options to suit both!
Elsewhere on site you'll also find some superb family fun features to back up the butterfly house, including an awesome hedge maze of a decent size and difficulty, alongside which is a speciality puzzle shop! So take the pocket money along.
Then you've got the Roman Ruin themed mini golf: an eminently playable little course of 12-holes with tasteful historical landscaping and features. Happily this is a wonderfully accessible course, with full wheelchair access, differing length putters and ball lifting apparatus available for use.
It's also home to Wye Valley Warfare: an outdoor laser tag arena offering a down and dirty realistic combat experience without the contact and the injuries. Show us your war face!
Plus the Visitor Centre offers indoor and outdoor picnicking facilities, great tourist information resources for planning local trips, Tea Room Cafe and the Riverside Church.
55 moradores locais recomendam
Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo
Experience the delight of the insect world's most serene and beautiful beasts at the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo!
Your family can walk amongst free flying tropical butterflies in the indoor hot house and see them sipping nectar, finding a mate and laying eggs. In fact, every stage of a butterflies' existence is either displayed, documented or happening in front of you!
They do wonderful work in butterfly conservation too so whether you want to wander around giggling and staring or learn everything about everything, there are options to suit both!
Elsewhere on site you'll also find some superb family fun features to back up the butterfly house, including an awesome hedge maze of a decent size and difficulty, alongside which is a speciality puzzle shop! So take the pocket money along.
Then you've got the Roman Ruin themed mini golf: an eminently playable little course of 12-holes with tasteful historical landscaping and features. Happily this is a wonderfully accessible course, with full wheelchair access, differing length putters and ball lifting apparatus available for use.
It's also home to Wye Valley Warfare: an outdoor laser tag arena offering a down and dirty realistic combat experience without the contact and the injuries. Show us your war face!
Plus the Visitor Centre offers indoor and outdoor picnicking facilities, great tourist information resources for planning local trips, Tea Room Cafe and the Riverside Church.
Attraction Information
Wyedean Canoe and Adventure Centre is a great place for an exciting day out for the family, with canoe trips suitable for anyone over 4 years old, plus a number of adventure activities for those who are 8 and older.
The canoe trips are a great way to enjoy the stunning scenery along the rive Wye, which includes castles and other ancient building along the way. There is also plenty of wildlife to keep an eye out for, such as wild boar, peregrine falcons, otters, kingfishers, and the odd jumping salmon. Kids over 4 are welcome, provided they fit one of the buoyancy aids, and you can bring a well trained dog, provide there is room in the canoe! The canoes are chosen for their stability and can be lashed together to create a more stable platform is needed.
The centre also offers a number of exciting activities for anyone over 8 years of age, from Caving through natural systems in the Wye Valley, a tree top adventure on the High and Low Ropes course, plus abseiling on Symonds Yat Rock Cliffs. They also offer raft building, archery, and kayaking, although kayaks are only available for those with previous experience who can paddle well and have been trained to perform a capsize.
No experience is required for the other activities, you and the kids will be given all the information you need, including a safety briefing before you start.
19 moradores locais recomendam
Wyedean Canoe & Adventure Centre
Attraction Information
Wyedean Canoe and Adventure Centre is a great place for an exciting day out for the family, with canoe trips suitable for anyone over 4 years old, plus a number of adventure activities for those who are 8 and older.
The canoe trips are a great way to enjoy the stunning scenery along the rive Wye, which includes castles and other ancient building along the way. There is also plenty of wildlife to keep an eye out for, such as wild boar, peregrine falcons, otters, kingfishers, and the odd jumping salmon. Kids over 4 are welcome, provided they fit one of the buoyancy aids, and you can bring a well trained dog, provide there is room in the canoe! The canoes are chosen for their stability and can be lashed together to create a more stable platform is needed.
The centre also offers a number of exciting activities for anyone over 8 years of age, from Caving through natural systems in the Wye Valley, a tree top adventure on the High and Low Ropes course, plus abseiling on Symonds Yat Rock Cliffs. They also offer raft building, archery, and kayaking, although kayaks are only available for those with previous experience who can paddle well and have been trained to perform a capsize.
No experience is required for the other activities, you and the kids will be given all the information you need, including a safety briefing before you start.
Local great activity, 5 minutes down the road.
Mork Clay Shooting Club is open to any member of the general public. The Shooting ground is situated between The Forest of Dean and The Wye Valley.
Mork Clay Pigeon Shooting Club
Local great activity, 5 minutes down the road.
Mork Clay Shooting Club is open to any member of the general public. The Shooting ground is situated between The Forest of Dean and The Wye Valley.
Sightseeing
Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail has a picnic site and a children's' playground, designed by the sculptor Andy Frost.
Andy Frost drew inspiration from the history of the Dean as a working forest to provide the play furniture adjacent to Beechenhurst Lodge. His sculptures provide a stimulating experience for youngsters up to 12 years old.
Various play structures represent aspects of timber production, children can clamber over an oak tree, an old wooden ship under construction, a man and horse leading an old cartload of logs, and woodmen with a crosscut saw, modern lumberjack with chainsaw.
90 moradores locais recomendam
Trilha de Esculturas da Floresta de Dean
Speech House RoadForest of Dean Sculpture Trail has a picnic site and a children's' playground, designed by the sculptor Andy Frost.
Andy Frost drew inspiration from the history of the Dean as a working forest to provide the play furniture adjacent to Beechenhurst Lodge. His sculptures provide a stimulating experience for youngsters up to 12 years old.
Various play structures represent aspects of timber production, children can clamber over an oak tree, an old wooden ship under construction, a man and horse leading an old cartload of logs, and woodmen with a crosscut saw, modern lumberjack with chainsaw.
Attraction Information
Fancy becoming a brave knight for the day? Head over to Chepstow Castle in Chepstow, a fantastic castle that’s been standing for more than 6 centuries!
History buffs will be impressed even before stepping through the doors, and it’s believed that these doors are the oldest in all of Europe. Once you’ve made it through the ancient entrance, be prepared to be amazed, the castle is filled with stories of epic battles and extraordinary fights, and that’s just half of it.
The castle is kept in great shape, and there’s plenty of green space for a little run around too. Keep your eyes out for some of their special events too, there's plenty to get involved in all year round!
112 moradores locais recomendam
Castelo de Chepstow
Attraction Information
Fancy becoming a brave knight for the day? Head over to Chepstow Castle in Chepstow, a fantastic castle that’s been standing for more than 6 centuries!
History buffs will be impressed even before stepping through the doors, and it’s believed that these doors are the oldest in all of Europe. Once you’ve made it through the ancient entrance, be prepared to be amazed, the castle is filled with stories of epic battles and extraordinary fights, and that’s just half of it.
The castle is kept in great shape, and there’s plenty of green space for a little run around too. Keep your eyes out for some of their special events too, there's plenty to get involved in all year round!
Offas Dyke Path National Trail through the borderlands of England and Wales has something for everyone, whether you want a gentle stroll for a few hours or travel more of it on a walking holiday with the kids.
The Trail frequently follows the spectacular Offa's Dyke through stunnng countryside through the Brecon Beacons National Park, plus it links the Shropshire Hills, the Wye Valley and the Clwydian Range/Dee Valley, which are all Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It crosses the border over 20 times and goes through 8 different counties!
There is so much to see along the Trail, such as bustling market towns, magestic castles and quiet country churches, plus canals, spectacular bridges and enigmatic Iron Age hillforts.
Other highlights the kids should enjoy include Devil's Pulpit, a narrow pillar of limstome with great views oer Tintern Abbey, and the Offa's Dyke Centre, which is at the halfway point of the Trail and is full of interesting information about the area.
Offa's Dyke Path National Trail
Offas Dyke Path National Trail through the borderlands of England and Wales has something for everyone, whether you want a gentle stroll for a few hours or travel more of it on a walking holiday with the kids.
The Trail frequently follows the spectacular Offa's Dyke through stunnng countryside through the Brecon Beacons National Park, plus it links the Shropshire Hills, the Wye Valley and the Clwydian Range/Dee Valley, which are all Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It crosses the border over 20 times and goes through 8 different counties!
There is so much to see along the Trail, such as bustling market towns, magestic castles and quiet country churches, plus canals, spectacular bridges and enigmatic Iron Age hillforts.
Other highlights the kids should enjoy include Devil's Pulpit, a narrow pillar of limstome with great views oer Tintern Abbey, and the Offa's Dyke Centre, which is at the halfway point of the Trail and is full of interesting information about the area.
Neighbourhoods
A larger local town, with more common retailers, more parking and variety. Quite a loal holiday hotspot for visitors - you've entered Wales here!
152 moradores locais recomendam
Monmouth
A larger local town, with more common retailers, more parking and variety. Quite a loal holiday hotspot for visitors - you've entered Wales here!
Conselho para os viajantes
O que levar
Get the most out of your stay!
Ever get to a destination and wished you'd brought that one thing along with you? Here's a list of our favourite items that you may forget!
1) hiking shoes (waterproofs to keep your toes dry from grass dew)
2) umbrellas/ rain Mack - just in case!
3) any personal favourite evening activities... board games, cards, reading books, you name it.
4) toiletries of your choice, we only provide a regular body wash and would recommend bringing additional items for your own comfort.
5) refillable water bottle, save plastic and great to carry on your walks.
Viajar com crianças
Bringing the kids? Here's some of our tips!
Fresh air, open fields, local farms? What could be better!
Some ground rules if you do have little ones with you:
1) we are able to provide baby high chairs at a request so do ask!
2) we have provided colouring books and pencils - please do rip out pages to ensure the entire book doesn't get coloured in!
3) many of our guests are bringing dogs along - we have asked them to be supervised for safety
4) due to the wild nature of our grounds, we would always recommend children to be supervised...uneven grounds, hidden streams, grazing sheep, we want you all to be safe.