Family self-catering holidays in a forest setting
Looking for an action-packed holiday? Why not try a break in one of Britain’s beautiful forest areas. Fresh air, freedom and exercise for all the family.
You will need to consider your accommodation carefully for this type of holiday, as you will require space for sports and activity clothing and maybe bicycles. Flexible meal times will be a must in order to fit in with the timing of organised activities and events. Good drying facilities and a washing machine will be a boon for damp and muddy clothes. There are numerous options for self-catering, offering you all of the above and more, which will be far less restrictive than a hotel or bed and breakfast venue, and provide better value for money for a family of four or more.
A favourite forest destination is the New Forest in Hampshire, where there is a wealth of things to see and do, including the famous ponies and donkeys which roam throughout much of the woodland and sometimes venture into the villages! There are miles of car-free cycle and walking tracks within the Forest. You can book a nationally qualified mountain bike guide or experienced walk leader/guide to accompany you on the various tracks. ( Contact New Forest Guides Tel: 07802 412917 or New Forest Guided Tours 01256 814222). See wildlife at close quarters at the New Forest Wildlife Park. – fallow, roe, and sika deer and muntjac. Grey squirrels, European polecats, and the European otter. If you fancy a rest from the activities and cooking, there are many places where you can experience typical New Forest fare, including a wide choice of pubs, restaurants and tea-rooms.
On the doorstep: Ashurst, Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu (National Motor Museum), Exbury Gardens, Lymington Nearby: Bournemouth, Christchurch.
The beautiful Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley borders Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire, and is another favourite location for family activity holidays in a natural environment, offering many attractions. Walking is one of the most popular activities in the area, with access to the Gloucestershire Way, Offa’s Dyke Path, Wye Valley and the Wysis Way. There are also shorter, easier walks along forest trails for the less-able. For both novice and experienced mountain bikers there are many safe forest tracks to explore. There is a superb Family Cycle Trail, with waymarked circular routes which connect with villages and picnic sites. (pedalabikeaway.co.uk for cycle hire and accessories). If you fancy flying down zip-wires, leaping off a Tarzan swing and walking a high wire bridge, then unleash your “go ape” spirit, have great fun and enjoy a tree top adventure. There is a minimum age, height and weight restriction for this activity. (Contact Go Ape: 0845 6431732). The River Wye is popular with canoeists and there are companies who offer canoe hire, but advice should always be sought from the information centres as to which stretch of the river would be safest for your ability. Learn bushcraft in the forest - tracking, hunting, fishing, foraging, shelter building and many more skills. (Forest Bushcraft (forest-bushcraft.co.uk). On the doorstep: Coleford, Ross-on-Wye, Monmouth, Gloucester. Take a look at some of the selfcatering cottages to rent in the Wye Valley.
Like us on Facebook
