Between the River Severn and the River Wye in Gloucestershire lies the Forest of Dean.

An ancient woodland of over 27,000 acres was once the scene of Royal Huntsman chasing deer and boar, it now provides a beautiful backdrop perfect for exploring.

Camping in the Forest of Dean
To experience the best that the Forest of Dean has to offer, it’s a good idea to pitch up your tent or caravan in one of the Forests three sites; Christchurch, Bracelands or Woodlands.

The sites all share the same reception and shop.

Christchurch
A lovely campsite for children, there is a play area and a shop selling sweets. The site provides hook-ups and plenty of toilet facilities. The shop also provides fabulous freshly baked croissants and pain au chocolat – excellent for breakfast! During our stay, the gently sloping field near the entrance provided an excellent sports area for children (and adults) to play cricket and rounders.  Note that Christchurch is a dog free site.

Bracelands
Slightly further down through the forest than the Christchurch site is the Bracelands site. This site provides an excellent vantage point across the Wye Valley. You can bring your dogs to Bracelands too, to accompany you through the woods. 

Things to do near the campsites

Cycling
Don’t worry if you haven’t got a bicycle, you can hire one from the nearby Pedalabikeaway Cycle Centre based in Coleford.
Cycle trails are colour coded throughout the forest and range from a flat and easy 5 miles up to the extended leisure rides with inclines of 16 miles.

Outdoor Activities
Just over the track from the campsite shop and reception there is a small clearing in the woods Motiva. It’s a series of rope courses, abseiling and zip wires through the forest which provide exhilarating action adventure. The centre also provides water based challenges too!!

Walking
From the nearby village of Coleford, you can follow the blue ringed posts from Beechenhurst Lodge along the sculpture trail. The route is approximately 4 miles long and was opened in 1986. All there is a charge for parking – the trail is free.

Finally, whilst in times gone by the ancients hunted wild boar – it seems that someone has released boar into the woods, these animals should not be approached or fed!