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Things to do around the Wye Valley

One of the best things about a weekend here is how much there is to do on the doorstep. The house sits on the edge of the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean, so you're minutes from some of the best group activities in the country — whether your group wants a proper physical challenge or something relaxed and sociable.

Here's a rundown of the activities we can arrange for you. Every one can be built into your weekend — just let us know what your group fancies and we'll sort it.

Kayaking & canoeing on the River Wye

The River Wye at Symonds Yat is one of the best spots in the country for a group paddle. It's about 20 minutes from the house, and several outfitters run canoe, kayak and paddleboard trips built for large groups. You can make it as gentle or as adventurous as you like — a brilliant way to spend a sunny afternoon.

Archery at Wye Valley Archery

One of the most popular activities for groups staying with us. It's 15 minutes from the house, everyone can have a go regardless of experience, and lunch and soft drinks are included. It suits a mixed group — nobody's left out, there's a bit of friendly competition, and it's a relaxed way to spend the first afternoon before dinner.

Go Ape Treetop Challenge, Forest of Dean

For a more active group, Go Ape's Treetop Challenge at Mallards Pike is hard to beat — zip wires, high ropes and treetop obstacles, about 25 minutes from the house. There's a minimum height of 1.4m and a maximum weight of 20.5 stone, and it works for groups of all sizes. Lunch can be sorted at the on-site café.

Rock climbing at Symonds Yat

For groups after a proper physical challenge, Wye Adventures run rock climbing on the riverbank at Symonds Yat — real rock, real height, with instructors. It's often paired with axe throwing or gorge scrambling to make a full day of it. Suits an active, up-for-it group.

Mountain biking in the Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre at Pedalabikeaway has traffic-free trails for every level — gentle family loops right through to full downhill tracks — with bike hire on-site, so nobody needs to bring their own. Your group can split by ability and everyone still has a good time.

Laser combat, Forest of Dean

Laser combat with BattleSports Glos is outdoor laser tag on a purpose-built battlefield — all the fun of paintball, none of the mess or the bruises. It's a great leveller for a mixed group and always ends up competitive. Works for hens, stags and everything in between.

Adventure caving at Clearwell Caves

For something genuinely different, Clearwell Caves near Coleford run adventure caving trips that go well beyond the show cave. You head deeper underground through a 4,500-year-old mine — a proper physical challenge. Not one for the claustrophobic, but for the right group it's a real highlight and a great story to take home.

Adventure golf at Symonds Yat

Not every activity has to be full-on. Adventure golf at Symonds Yat is a relaxed round that works for any group size and any age — an easy, fun way to fill a few hours between the bigger activities, and nobody needs to be sporty to enjoy it.

Pottery & Spanish tapas at Chepstow Art Space

If your group would rather something relaxed, the pottery and tapas session at Chepstow Art Space is a favourite — 30 seconds from the house, right in the centre of Chepstow. You get a hands-on pottery session followed by a Spanish tapas buffet — sociable, low-key and a nice change from the more active options.

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That's just a taste of what's around. Whatever your group is into, we can build the right mix into your weekend — tell us who's coming and we'll suggest what works.