With country inns, fine-dining restaurants, and attractions aplenty, Gloucestershire is packed full of great amenities. If you’re a visitor, the selection can leave you feeling a bit bewildered. But worry not, whether you’re looking for cookery classes or canoe hire, our handy A-Z has you covered.
A Melt in Time, Claremont House, Lydney
Gift shop selling handmade wax melts and scented soy-wax candles.
Briery Hill Llamas, Newent
Llama trekking, farm experiences, and animal feeding in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside.
Clearwell Caves, Coleford
Fun yet educational tours of a natural cave system where iron ore and ochre pigments have been mined for thousands of years.
Dean Forest Cycles, Parkend
Bike hire company with options for the whole family, from trail bikes and tandems to trailer attachments for kids. E-bike tours around the Forest of Dean are also available.
Eastnor Pottery, at Eastnor Castle
Family-run pottery studio offering fun clay experiences for young and old. Activities include clay modelling, coil pot making, and potter’s wheel weekend courses.
Forest Deli, Coleford
Award-winning cheesemonger and delicatessen stocking an impressive range of local cheese, honey, hampers, cider, wine, and more.
Harts Barn Cookery School, Longhope
Hands-on cooking experiences covering everything from foraging for wild food to Indian takeaway favourites.
Inspire2Adventure, Monmouth
Gloucestershire’s go-to for outdoor adventures like rock climbing, kayaking, gorge-scrambling, and stand-up paddle.
Middletown Farmshop, Newent
Open only four days a month, this quirky farm shop sells handmade gifts and local produce. Stop by for fresh bakes, free-range eggs, handmade ceramics, and prints by local talents.
Nature in Art Gallery & Museum, Twigworth, Gloucester
Fine, decorative, and applied art collections, all housed within a stunning Georgian mansion. Works by prominent international wildlife and nature artists plus a regular schedule of special exhibitions.
Puzzlewood, Coleford
Family fun amidst an ancient woodland in the Forest of Dean. Venture into a magical forest via half a mile of paths, rope bridges, and viewpoints in a setting made famous by films such as The Secret Garden, Star Wars, and Dr. Who.
Some say that Puzzlewood has inspired authors too. According to a recent article by @DailyMirror, “…rumour even has it that the mystical wood was the inspiration behind author JRR Tolkein’s creation of the forests of Middle Earth in Lord of the Rings.”
Red Hart Inn, Blaisdon
Charming country pub with real ales on tap, traditional pub grub, and a family-friendly beer garden complete with a kids’ playground.
Speech House Hotel, Coleford
A former 17th-century hunting lodge with rooms, outdoor dining dens, and a fine-dining restaurant. Traditional afternoon teas made with local Gloucestershire produce are served in the hotel’s charming orangery.
Severn Cider, Awre
Award-winning cider and perry producer offering tasting flights and ploughman’s lunches. Cider-making and orchard tours are available during their Autumn harvest.
Three Choirs Vineyard, Newent
Award-winning English wines, small-plate dining, and the country’s oldest vineyards. A tasting experience includes a vineyard tour and guided wine flight featuring a selection of still and sparkling wines.
Wyndham Hotel & Restaurant, Clearwell
Beautiful country inn and hotel in the heart of the Forest of Dean. Individually-designed rooms and suites are a nod to their rural English setting and the restaurant serves up the best of what’s local.
So completes our edit of Gloucestershire’s brilliant businesses! If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, take a look at our en-suite rooms in the Forest of Dean.
