Famiły cycling cottage holiday - New Forest, Forest of Dean or ?

[ErgonomicallyUnsound]

Children aged 12 & 9, DH & I for 4 nights over May half term in a cottage, preferably with a village pub within walking distance. Thinking Forest of Dean or New Forest but open to any other suggestions. Ideally within 4 hour drive of SE.

Need an area where we can cycle - DS very good on his bike, younger DD a bit more nervous of traffic. Will take our own bikes. Fancied FoD as there seemed to be other good stuff there like Go Ape etc.

Any recommendations or ideas appreciated of where to go and where to stay.

My parents used to live in Monmouth, and I travelled around the FoD, and walked along the banks of the River Wye, so that would be a good area to explore. There are a lot of industrial archaeology remains, and of course the natural environment is beautiful. Coleford is a pleasant little town, stayed there with DS about twenty years ago.

www.wyedeantourism.co.uk/

www.fdean.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=5280

www.deanforestrailway.co.uk/

These days, with Internet and Google Street View you can explore the virtual areas in minute detail, so it should be easy to choose places. Symonds Yat, on the Wye is spectacular - but you will walk more than you will cycle, though going down will be OK!

Let me know if you want more information.

I live very close to the forest of dean. Highly recommend it for a short cycling break. More trails than you can shake a stuck at and, as you've seen, Go Ape and other things too. Check out Puzzlewood as it's been a location for numerous things, including the new Star Wars film! A beautiful place to visit. And if you want to get off the bikes and onto the water there are plenty of canoe hire companies who will sort out a fill or half day's canoeing on the Wye for you.
Oh, and I grew up in the New Forest and whilst it's lovely, I'd go for the Forest of Dean for your trip [smile ]

Ooh and try Forest Holidays for lodges Ho stay in. Or Parkend - think it's called Whitemead

Brilliant thank you both!

New Forest is lovely but don't know it so well. We've stayed at Whitemead (mentioned above) and you can certainly do a Mon-Fri booking - we've stayed a few times and love it there. There are log cabins/apartments there, has it's own café/restaurant you can eat at in evenings, as well as swimming facilities. Also, paths for walking off site. There are a couple of pubs in walking distance but they're basic, there's one 2-3 miles away (cream building on a corner, want to call it the Miners Arms but could be wrong) that's meant to be good. Just up from Whitemead there there's a cycle path. Also, I think you'd be able to cycle around Mallards Pike which has a lake/ponds and Go Ape. Other cycle paths are around, as well as lakes/ponds, Beechenhurst nice to visit for walk/cafe