The Forest of Dean is located in the Wye Valley in Gloucestershire and close to the South Wales border and offers great self-catering holidays at any time of the year. Besides stunning forest scenery and lots of outdoor activities, there’s also a wealth of heritage to enjoy with an array of fantastic castles, cathedrals and museums.

With a great choice of holiday cottages in the Forest of Dean use our extensive feature to find your perfect one. You may want to be rural, walking distance to a pub, have an enclosed garden if taking young children or dogs or part of our luxury collection, the choice really is yours.

The ancient mixed woodland of the Forest of Dean is managed by the Forestry Commission and has numerous trails for walking and cycling. The walks here include sections of the long distance Offa’s Dike Path and the Wye Valley Walk, in addition there are circular routes which take walkers through pretty villages and historic market towns.

Cyclists can go on the safe family friendly cycle path that goes right through the heart of the forest and mountain bikers can enjoy a range of dedicated trails (cycle hire is available locally).Visit Symonds Yat Rock for fantastic views of the River Wye and explore the ancient hill fort. For the adventurous, have a go on the zip wire at the Go Ape Adventure centre, or take a leisurely kayak trip on the river.

Visit the world's oldest dedicated Birds of Prey centre at Newent to get up close to some magnificent birds. Near Cinderford you will find the Cyril Hart Arboretum with its unique collection of two hundred majestic and unusual trees. South of Coleford are the Clearwell Caves at the Iron Mining Museum, which go back 4,500 years and were used by Neolithic miners digging for ochre pigments.

For those who enjoy some time pottering around town, Monmouth, where the Monnow, Wye and Trothy rivers meet, is a Georgian market town with some stunning architecture as well as unique shops, cafes and restaurants. The castle and the thirteenth-century Monnow Bridge give an idea of the town's fascinating history. Hereford boasts a cathedral, cider museum, the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery and the Old House, a museum about life in the Jacobean era.

Take a look at our cottage rentals in the Forest of Dean they are the best way to enjoy a holiday here giving you the space and freedom to do just what you want when you want.