Camping in St Briavels

The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley around St Briavels offer some of the best woodland and valley camping in the Welsh Marches, though as with anywhere in England, wild camping is illegal without the landowner''s explicit permission, so stick to licensed sites. The terrain here is a mix of steep, wooded valley sides dropping to the River Wye and gentler forest plateau above, which means many campsites make a feature of views over the gorge or pitches tucked among mature oak and beech. Small, independent sites and farm campsites are more common here than large holiday parks, reflecting the quieter, more rural character of this corner of Gloucestershire.

Camping season around St Briavels generally runs from Easter through to the end of September, when the forest trails and river paths are driest and most sites are open. Late spring is particularly rewarding, with bluebells carpeting parts of the Forest of Dean and the bread and cheese dole taking place on Whit Sunday, while a settled spell in autumn brings out rich colour in the beech woodland. Ground can be heavy after wet weather given the valley''s clay soils, so a waterproof tent and good boots are worth packing outside the height of summer.

For those who prefer a roof over their heads without giving up the outdoor feel, glamping has taken hold across the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley in the form of shepherd''s huts, safari tents and camping pods, many on small family-run sites with only a handful of pitches. These tend to book up quickly for summer weekends and the Whit Sunday period, so early planning pays off. Whatever type of site you choose, the reward is the same: easy access to the Wye Valley Walk, Offa''s Dyke Path and the forest''s cycling and walking trails, all without needing to move the car once you''ve pitched.