Holidays 2026
Departs: Monday 21st September 2026 | 5 Days
Wye Valley & The Forest of Dean
Tour Price: £549.00 per person
Your Holiday Centre
The Wye Valley is a rural retreat with some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Britain, as well as the dramatic scenery and wonderful wildlife that come with being a protected national landscape. In fact, it was here, in the market town of Ross-on-Wye, that tourism as we know it was invented. Over 250 years later, the lure of the Wye Valley is just as strong. The Forest of Dean is a historic forest with its origins as a royal forest pre-dating the Norman Conquest of 1066. The forest has been historically isolated and bypassed, sitting as it does between the Rivers Severn and Wye, on the border of England and Wales. The forest was the first National Forest Park, designated in 1938. Tourism has slowly developed but has only recently become economically important for the area. The forest is also a stronghold for nature, with large areas of woodland and open space providing a mosaic of habitats for a range of species. Of note are the colonies of Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats, the largest colonies of these bats in Europe. The forest is also well known for its woodland and heathland birds and invertebrates.
Tour Inclusions
- All coach travel
- 4 nights half board
- Porterage
- Excursions
- Boat cruise
- Train ride
- Entertainment on three nights
- Services of courier
Special Notes
- Insurance.
- Please inform us of any special dietary needs e.g: diabetic, gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.
- Special requests are put forward to the hotel, and they will do their utmost to accommodate your needs.
- The itinerary could be subject to change.
Tour Price
- Price Per Person
- £549.00
Single Room Supplement: £Nil
Your Accommodation
Bells Hotel & Country Club
Lord's Hill, Coleford GL16 8BE.
Tel: 01594 832583.
Situated in the beautiful unspoilt Royal Forest of Dean, is the modern Bells Hotel, which is in the market town of Coleford, Gloucestershire. With its onsite golf course and bowling green, the hotel offers access to a wide range of activities based around the local area of outstanding natural beauty.
All 53 rooms are individually designed and offer in room amenities to make your stay relaxing and enjoyable. Each room has an en-suite bathroom with free toiletries, hairdryer, TV, tea/coffee making facilities and free Wi-Fi. Every facility you would expect to ensure a comfortable stay.
In the building, that was formerly the Coleford Grammar School, is the bar and dining space which offers a relaxed and easy ambience for guests from morning through to the evening. Enjoy a light snack or celebratory meal, their menu offers plenty of choice and good seasonal dishes.
There is no lift, but ground floor rooms are available.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Local Area
After leaving our local area, we make our way past Stratford-Upon-Avon to the Evesham Country Park, where we have a stop for lunch and a little retail therapy if wanted. From Evesham Country Park we continue our journey through part of the Cotswold to Tewkesbury, Gloucester and then into the Forest of Dean to our hotel the Bells Hotel & Country Club. Here we shall stay for the next four nights with half board. Your bags will be taken to your rooms while you enjoy a welcome glass of fruit juice.
Day 2: Monmouth and Boat Trip
This morning, we cross the border into Wales to the Georgian market town of Monmouth, famous for its unique 13th century Monnow Bridge which was also used as a toll bridge during medieval times. Monmouth is also where the River Monnow meets the river Wye. After some sightseeing, we travel back into England for a relaxing cruise along the River Wye from Symonds Yat West, which is one of the most spectacular stretches of the Wye Valley.
After our cruise we return to the hotel. If time allows, explore Coleford itself or enjoy the bowling and golf facilities at the hotel.
Day 3: Tintern Abbey-Chepstow & Dean Forest Railway
Today we follow the twists and turns of the Wye Valley for a coffee break and photo opportunity at the magnificent ruins of Tintern Abbey, that was founded in 1131 by Cistercian monks. The monks were happy to make do with timber buildings at first, then in 1269 they began to build a new abbey church and didn't stop until they had created one of the masterpieces of British Gothic architecture.
We continue to the historic town of Chepstow, which is dominated by the oldest surviving stone castle in Britain on the banks of the River Wye.
Later we return into the Royal Forest of Dean to enjoy a relaxing round trip journey along the Dean Forest Railway behind one of their steam locomotives. The journey will last approximately 90 minutes, covering a nine-mile round trip along their forest line. Back to the hotel to relax before dinner.
Day 4: Ross-on-Wye
Today we leave for Ross-on-Wye, an inviting place to potter. You can browse independent shops or saunter the historic streets. You can peek into St Mary's Church to find examples of the town's icon dating from the 17th century to the Second World War. Its neighbouring Prospect Gardens gives panoramic views of the horseshoe bend in the River Wye, the Black Mountains, the Brecon Beacons and the Malvern Hills. Later returning to the hotel.
Day 5: Depart for Home
After a hearty breakfast and cases have been loaded onto the coach it is time to say farewell to the Bells Hotel. Retracing our steps, with comfort stops en-route. We will arrive in our local area late afternoon.