AROUND UNDERWOOD
The historic town of Chepstow, which is just a few miles away, offers a wealth of activities, history & culture to visitors & locals alike.
The Forest of Dean & Wye Valley offer many different eating establishments allowing the public to have a varied choice of food & dining opportunities. Periodically over the year, both the Forest of Dean & Chepstow showcase the local food with specialised markets, farmers markets, agricultural shows and food fairs. Allowing the public to try something different & purchase, if desired, from local growers.
There are also many activities that are provided throughout the year, some of which run continuously across the entire year, while others are run during specific months. All activities are advertised in local magazines & on both Tourist Boards’ web pages.
Many of the local villages still function in the way they did many years ago, giving the impression of stepping back in time.
The area offers a wealth of history, ancient traditions, magnificent wildlife, spectacular views and activities to suit any age, gender and skills ability. Whether you're two or ninety-two, or anything in between, the Forest really has something for everyone, making it the ideal holiday destination. With tourist venues opening longer hours & for more months of the year, coupled with the ever changing seasons, the Forest opens itself to visitors being able to experience & enjoy the scenery that the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley have to offer all through the year.
FOREST OF DEAN ADVENTURE LTD
NATIONAL DIVING CENTRE
CHEPSTOW CASTLE
Puzzlewood is a unique and enchanting place, located in the beautiful and historic Forest of Dean. Explore a mile of meandering pathways, with its fantastic tree and rock formations, through this 14 acre ancient woodland. It has an atmosphere quite unlike any other wood you have visited. It's a popular TV & film location and JRR Tolkien is reputed to have taken his inspiration for the fabled forests of Middle Earth from Puzzlewood, and it's easy to see why.
PUZZLEWOOD
The Wye Valley AONB is an internationally important protected landscape containing some of the most beautiful lowland scenery in Britain. The woodlands which shroud and define the Wye Valley in the AONB follow the River almost continuously for 30 miles. It is one of the largest areas of ancient broadleaved woodland in the country. The mix of species in the gorge woodland is almost unknown elsewhere in Britain. (Dr. George Peterken, Woodlands of the Lower Wye, 2007)
Welcome to one of our nation’s most treasured and unique river landscapes which stretches along the Wye Valley between Hereford and Chepstow. Straddling England and Wales the Wye Valley was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1971 and includes 128 square miles of outstanding landscape waiting to be discovered and right on your door step. The beauty of the Wye Valley inspires throughout the year, and the secret to its irresistible attraction lies in its wooded valley, peaceful riverside pathways, spectacular view points, towering ruins and impressive industrial and cultural heritage.
All these, as well as intriguing local churches, picturesque villages and historic market towns, guarantee and wealth of attractions.
Beautifully preserved Chepstow Castle is a history lesson in stone. If you think modern doors are long lasting, think again. Chepstow boasts the oldest castle doors in Europe. All wood and all of 800 years old. Until 1962 these doors hung in the main gateway, but are now in safe keeping in the on-site exhibition. Century after century, this amazing castle grew and grew along its narrow cliff top ridge, where is now stands majestically over the Wye river.
Forest of Dean Adventure Ltd is based in the beautiful Forest of Dean and Wye Valley in Gloucestershire.
Their activities include the Adventure Challenge where you can climb, swing, jump and dive your way around their high ropes. Test your skills as an archer under the supervision and guidance of their trained staff who will get you shooting straight for Gold! Or conquer their 40ft purpose built climbing tower. Climb as high as you can on over 18 routes open to you the public.
TINTERN ABBEY
An area of outstanding beauty complemented by this outstanding beauty in stone. If only the walls could talk! The chants of countless monks echo through the masonry here. Despite the shell of this grand structure being open to the skies, it remains the best-preserved medieval abbey in Wales. Although the abbey church was rebuilt under the patronage of Roger Bigod, lord of nearby Chepstow Castle, in the late 13th century, the monastery retains its original design
WYE VALLEY
The National Diving & Activity Centre is based near Chepstow, they offer excellent inland diving facilities and an exciting range of activities such as one of the longest zip slides in the UK, amongst other exciting adventures.
GO APE
From the tree tops to the forest floor. Live life more adventurously – that’s Go Ape's challenge to you. Start by booking your next Go Ape outing. Head into the forest for their high-wire Tree Top Adventure and Tree Top Junior,
their Zip Trekking Adventure, or one of their Forest Segway Experiences. They promise you it’ll be a day out you’ll never forget!
Image attribute © Crown copyright (2017) Cadw, Welsh Government.
Image attribute © Crown copyright (2017) Cadw, Welsh Government.
Image attribute © Crown copyright (2017) Cadw, Welsh Government.