Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley, near Cinderford

A great intro to the Forest

Peacefully set beside a mill pond in a deep wooded valley, the centre provides an excellent introduction to the Forest of Dean, explaining its history, from wild woodland to the present day.

Lydney Park Gardens
The main display is in a sheltered wooded valley with excellent landscaping, pools and dream-like pathways. Fabulous rhododendrons and azaleas are set off by the maples in new leaf.

The Sculpture Trail

A gentle and picturesque two-mile route

This joint effort by the Forestry Commission and the Bristol-based Arnolfini Gallery gave six sculptors the chance to design their own interpretations of forest life, which are now dotted around the Speech House area of the Forest of Dean. Eerie ‘Sound Sculptures’ will catch your ear as well as your eye while the spectacular ‘stained glass window’ is suspended from giant beams high above eye level. Carved railway sleepers, forming an ‘Iron Road’, evoke memories of the Forest’s industrial heritage. The sculptures are spread over a gentle and picturesque two-mile route, which starts from either Beechenhurst Lodge or the Speech House parking area.

Dean Forest Railway

Go take a ride!

A busy preserved line running from Lydney Junction, near the Lydney main line station. The passenger operating length of the line is three-and-a-quarter miles. A new extension to Parkend will add an extra mile. There’s a museum and shop as well as steam and diesel operating days.

The Swan Cheesehouse
The Swan Cheesehouse at Pillowell, Lydney, is a converted pub, providing restaurant, bar and shop under one roof. The cheese is made by small-scale artisan cheesemarkers from Gloucestershire and the West Country. In addition, there are guest cheeses from all over Britain and Ireland, plus ciders, beers and chutneys.

A great place to have a holiday.