A ranking of the UK’s most beautiful places has placed a 27,000-acre ancient woodland in the top three thanks to its incredible network of trails and family-friendly attractions which have made it a go-to staycation spot.

One of the best-preserved in England, the forest includes several ancient trees, including one that’s estimated at around 1,000 years old. Over the years, artists and writers have been inspired by its beauty, including JRR Tolkien who created locations in the Lord of the Rings trilogy based on the area.

The Forest of Dean is at the heart of Gloucestershire and the area is famous for its lush green woodland and mossy landscapes, with medieval market towns and quaint villages scattered throughout.

From caves to sculpture trails and vintage trains, the Forest of Dean has lots to do for all sorts of visitors, and it’s easy to see why it has become such a family favourite. Recently, it ranked third on Enjoy Travel’s 50 Most Beautiful Places in the UK, surpassed only by Queen’s View in Scotland and the Lake District.

Puzzlewood is perhaps one of the most famous places within the Forest of Dean, and this is the woodland that is said to have inspired Tolkien’s descriptions of Middle Earth’s enchanted forests. It has also appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as well as many other movies and TV shows thanks to its unique landscape of moss-covered rocks, winding tree trunks, and hanging vines.

Wandering round these verdant green trails makes you feel like you’re on a different planet. Kids will love walking across the wooden bridges, exploring the winding paths, and climbing the stone steps.

Clearwell Caves are another natural attraction that’s fun to simply stroll around and explore. This vast series of underground caves is full of colourful, shimmering rock formations with the low-lighting creating a beautiful, if slightly eerie, atmosphere. The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail is a unique experience where you can see artworks inspired by nature found down tree-lined paths.

Walkers can choose from hundreds of miles of trails throughout the Forest of Dean. Symonds Yat Rock and the surrounding woodlands are among the most popular with ramblers, and there are several trail options to reach the iconic viewpoint. You can take a short 1.2 mile walk to enjoy the views across the River Wye and rugged cliffs, or take on a demanding 11-mile hike visiting King Arthur’s Cave and Seven Sister Rocks along the way.

If you’re tired of walking, head onboard the Perrygrove Railway Adventure. This outdoor attraction has four train stations, and admission includes unlimited train rides between the stations on a beautiful narrow gauge railway. Along the way, you can enjoy activities from the Treetop Adventure to the tunnel maze, making it a fun day out for families.

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