Great days out, right on The Fountain's doorstep

The Fountain is right in the heart of the Forest of Dean, England's first national forest park. Bordered by the River Wye to the West and the River Severn to the East, the forest covers 23,000 acres with around 20 million trees. Whatever your interest, whether it's forest heritage, adventure and outdoor pursuits or museums and castles, there's plenty to choose from. Parkend is also perfect for exploring further afield, with Ross-on-Wye, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol and Chepstow all within half an hour. A full list of things to do can be found on the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean tourism website here.

The RSPB Nagshead Reserve is minutes away, with great bird-spotting and rambling opportunities. The Pedalabikeaway Cycle Centre is also nearby, with a range of cycle routes and more challenging mountain bike trails available.

Fun for all the family

There are lots of great days out for children, with Puzzle Wood, the Forest Model Village and even Thomas the Tank Engine keeping them entertained. For the more adventurous, why not Go Ape! through the High Wire Forest Adventure, take on Forest Combat Paintball or even try llama and camel trekking?

The Forest Sculpture Walk offers a great day out for everybody, or why not take in the Forest's story at the Dean Heritage Centre or celebrate Forest creativity at Taurus Crafts. There's also the nearby delights of Chepstow, with nearly 1,000 years of history at the Castle and Tintern Abbey.

Lots to see, whether on foot, on a bike or by car

Whatever your mode of transport, there's plenty to enjoy. A variety of forest trails offer breathtaking scenery for any level of exercise, from gentle country strolls to challenging hill walks and cycle paths. Our staff have exceptional knowledge of the Forest and Gloucestershire, so there's always someone on hand to advise you on the best days out in the region.