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Whitemead Forest Park

Gloucestershire Gl15 4 La, Gloucestershire, England
1 acre hosted by Hayley P.
A well located, family-friendly campsite in the Forest of Dean boasting a wealth of onsite facilities

You don’t have to be an award-winning author to be inspired by the Forest of Dean, a corrugated blanket of green and brown merging into the slopes of the Wye Valley. Certainly J.K. Rowling’s childhood walks among the trees influenced the magical landscapes of Harry Potter, while J.R.R. Tolkien famously shaped the fabled forests of middle earth around his visits to the ancient woodland. But this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty captivates all who care to visit and, for would-be campers, it certainly cries out as an equally inspiring place to pitch.

Such cries are answered by Whitemead Forest Park, an expansive campsite with a mix of tent pitches, caravan hard standings and timber glamping pods. Five miles from the Severn Estuary (east) and the Welsh Border (west), Whitemead lies in the very heart of the Forest of Dean. And while, as a campsite it falls much more into the holiday park category – there's a heated indoor swimming pool, a sauna, fully-equipped gym, health and beauty spa, games room, restaurant and two bars – it's location that trumps all. Pitch-wise, meanwhile, while the caravans are in the majority, secluded camping spots lie nicely separated, tucked away in ‘The Hollow’, a grassy area with a path leading into the woods. The result is a site bursting with activities and top-spec facilities but still offering a quiet corner for tent campers to relax in.

If the endless onsite options are not your cup of tea, then escape the bustle via a short walk across the campsite and over a pond to the village of Parkend, a peaceful backwater with delightful local pubs. Here you’ll also find Nagshead Nature Reserve, home to the diverse birdlife that the Forest of Dean is so famous for. Parkend is crossed by a number of good footpaths and for both cycling and walking this is an ideal destination; a paradise of paths weaving through the forest and descending into the Wye Valley. For the most commanding views of the landscape, head north to Goodrich Castle and climb the battlements of the Norman Keep or, at the other end of the spectrum, delve into nearby Clearwell Caves where tours of an intricate cave and mine system can reach up to 200ft beneath the ground.

For all its 'parky' drawbacks, Whitemead Forest Park is a campsite of opportunities – a wealth of onsite fun combined with a host of attractions right on the doorstep. A welcoming place to pitch the tent or pull up a caravan with facilities to occupy the kids, while you map out your morning bike trip. In the evenings you can retire to the repose of your pitch, relax in the jacuzzi or head to the bar for a chilled glass of vino. In short, an affordable family-friendly retreat in one of England's great ancient woodlands.

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Location
Gloucestershire Gl15 4 La, Gloucestershire, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Hayley P.Joined in May 2019
From the host
Pitch up at Whitemead with your tent, motorhome or caravan and make the most of the picturesque forest surroundings. All our pitches give you the feeling of being close to nature, and are located in three of the park’s loveliest areas – the Dell, the Meadow and the Mead. In total, we have over 100 pitches and all have use of the park’s excellent on-site facilities; our restaurant, bar, swimming pool, gym, sauna and jacuzzi are yours to use free-of-charge whilst staying with us. There are no extra charges for electricity (all  pitches have 16 amp electrical hook-ups) or use of the 5* shower blocks, family bathrooms, laundry rooms and washing up points. Please note that for caravan and camping pitches there is a minimum stay policy of two nights on weekends, or three nights during school holidays or bank-holiday weekends.
Nearby attractions

With a relatively central spot in the Forest of Dean, the campsite is in a prime location for cycling and walking. The Gloucestershire Way passes very close to the site, while The Offa's Dyke Path, follows the Welsh border, offering a slightly more varied route. Family cyclists will enjoy a multitude of circular trails mainly on former railway lines, easily connecting villages and picnic sites. A 20 minute drive north takes you to Goodrich Castle (01600 890538) with exceptional views of the River Wye and the valley of Symonds Yat. Goodrich also boasts one of the most complete sets of medieval buildings surviving in any English castle. Cross the border to the historic market town of Monmouth or stop short at the river Wye, where you can hire canoes (01600 891100) or trek (01600 891515) among the surrounding streams and gorges. Clearwell Caves (01594 832535) is a fascinating site where natural caves are joined together with man-made mines. A range of different tours are available if you don't fancy delving to the full 200ft depth. On a rainy day head to The Dean Heritage Centre (01594 822170), a great family attraction in a picturesque location. Five separate spaces explore the history of the forest from the Ice Age to the present day, accompanied by animals, a reconstructed Victorian cottage and daily chainsaw carving demonstrations.

Food and drink

An onsite shop sells groceries, while you can also pre-book a hamper so essential supplies are waiting when you arrive. The onsite restaurant serves food all day including a Sunday carvery and Wednesday curry night. There are also two bars – Foresters and The Venue – offering entertainment. Both bars are family-friendly with accompanied children welcome. A 5 minute walk into Parkend will bring you to either The Woodman Inn (01594 563273) or, the more recommended, Fountain Inn (01594 562189) which serve pub grub and real ales.

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