A short off-season break is the perfect way to get away from it all – and it’s even better when you can take your faithful friend with you, too! Use this guide to getting the most out of going on holiday in the Forest of Dean with your dog.
In the fabulous Forest of Dean, on the green seam between England and Wales, woodland and riverside trails proliferate across a vast treescape, wildlife abounds and an atmospheric mist hangs in the air, amplifying the area’s enigmatic allure.
The forest is also a near-nirvana for dogs. So my wife Steph and I took our dog, Rosie, for a short stay at Whitemead Forest Park, which offers canine-friendly accommodation on the edge of the Wye Valley.
After a dark drive through feisty weather, our pondside log cabin was warm and welcoming, and Rosie made herself at home. Canine guests staying for three nights or more receive a welcome pack, and she was well pleased with her new blanket and ball, though not with our attempt to ration the treats.
A brief leg-stretch around the park followed, during which I was delighted to discover the on-site Foresters Bar serves local elixir Butty Bach on draught. Steph suggested rationing this too, and I briefly shared Rosie’s indignation, but a day of outdoor exploration beckoned, so an early night was wise.
The cabin was so cosy and comfortable that Steph decided to make the most of it with a morning lie-in, while Rosie and I set off to enjoy a short run in the nearby dog-friendly Forest of Dean. Overnight antics by foraging wild boar had turned parts of the route into a quagmire and we arrived back thoroughly filthy to meet Steph at the cabin door, pointing in the direction of the onsite dog-wash area.
Dog walking in the Forest of Dean
Over coffee in the canine-friendly Wild Boar Café, we formed a plan. Whitemead is surrounded by greenery – neighbouring RSPB’s Nagshead Nature Reserve is home to woodpeckers, fallow deer, wild boar and ancient oaks. But we decided to explore the woodlands immediately beside the park’s caravan and camper van area. To enter this verdant oasis you don’t even have to cross a road, just stroll through a gate, and it boasts the same diversity of wildlife.
I secretly yearned to spot a wild boar. These porcine prowlers were widespread in Britain until hunted to extinction in the 13th century, but hundreds now live in the Forest of Dean since being ‘accidentally’ reintroduced. The humbug-striped hoglets look adorable, but adults can be fierce and aren’t to be approached. There’s little chance of seeing one in daylight, however, and we happily wandered in the woods, enjoying birdsong and finding clear-flowing sections of Oakwood Brook and the River Lyd.
By the time we returned to base, Rosie was well walked and content to curl up in the cabin while we swam in the indoor pool, luxuriated in the whirlpool bath and alternated between sweating in the steam room and sauna and squealing like wild piglets in the cold shower. All perfect preparation for a fine feed and a couple of Butty Bachs in the Foresters.
Later, while Steph and Rosie snoozed on the sofa, I couldn’t resist taking a torch and venturing back to the woods to look for boar in the moonlight.
There were noises aplenty, and twice I turned to see eyes reflecting my light. Just deer, but still a lovely sight. Myriad attractions are accessible from Whitemead, including a wonderful wide-gauge steam railway, sensational cycling trails and two excellent pubs beside the River Wye – Saracen’s Head Inn and Ye Old Ferrie Inn, which can both be visited via a stroll around Symonds Yat and a ride on a hand-pulled ferry. However, we opted to stay even more local.
Other things to do with dogs in the Forest of Dean
Just seven minutes’ drive away is Beechenhurst, gateway to free-to-access woods where wild works of art lie along the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, part of which I’d chanced upon years earlier. I recalled one piece in particular, ‘Cathedral’ by Kevin Atherton, which resembles a stunning stained-glass window, high in the treetops. I wanted Steph to see it, and the trails are dog-friendly. The perfect place for a stroll.
Rain threatened as we set off along the almost-five-mile waymarked trail, but I was confident we could find ‘Cathedral’ and short-cut back to the café quickly. Rosie couldn’t care less how long it took, she was tongue-out delighted to be out in the woods.
Inevitably, ‘Cathedral’ was the last sculpture we found, after several hours’ soggy strolling. It was a wonderful walk, though, full of surprises. And just as we found the woodland window, the sky cleared and sent the day’s last rays through the glass, projecting a glorious spectrum of colour onto the trees.
It was impossible not to feel uplifted – not least because a warm cabin and sauna lay waiting back at the park. And Rosie, while nonchalant about the artwork, had a look of pure elation on her face.
Boundless members can save up to 20% on their stay at Whitemead Forest Park, on top of any current savings or offers.
Dog-friendly accomodation
As well as its two- and three-bedroom log cabins, almost all Whitemead’s accommodation is suitable for guests visiting with four-legged friends. So whenever you visit and however big your group, the dog’s always welcome.
Woodland lodges
With pet-friendly options available, lodges sleep 4-6, have a master bedroom with en-suite, a twin room, a kitchen, lounge with sofa bed, and an outdoor deck. Perfect for family groups.
Apartments
Self-catering apartments sleep 4-6 and have a master bedroom with en-suite, a twin room, kitchen and lounge with sofa bed. A selection of ground-floor apartments are pet friendly.
Glamping pods
A cosy, all‑weather alternative to traditional camping, these pods have a double bed, sofa bed, toilet and basin along with heating, kitchenette and tea- and coffee‑making facilities. Some are pet friendly.
Pitches
For those BYOing accommodation, there are prime pitches for tents, caravans, camper vans and motorhomes, all with electric hook-ups. Showers, toilets and laundry facilities are available – plus all the park’s dog-friendly perks, too.
Tips for driving with dogs
Travelling with dogs is great, but it takes some planning. The Highway Code specifies that dogs must be ‘suitably restrained’ so they don’t distract the driver, which effectively means a seatbelt harness, pet carrier, cage or dog guard should be used to prevent your pet roaming around. Halfords offer a range of excellent options.
Beyond safety, it’s important to give your dog regular drinks and an opportunity to stretch their legs, particularly during longer trips.
If you stop and don’t let your dog out, always partially open a window or two and don’t leave them alone for long. While at your destination, remember to observe and adhere to signs about keeping dogs on leads, and always clear up after your buddy.
Patrick Kinsella is a Devon-based writer and wandered, and the author of several books, including 100 Great Pub Walks. Rosie is a keen walker but reluctant model. This is her first assignment.
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If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.
With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits, including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive group walks and routes, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by Britannia Rescue.
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