20 Attractions to Explore Near May Hill

The International Centre for Birds of Prey is the oldest dedicated birds of prey center in the world, which is home to over 230 birds of prey with 3 flying demonstrations a day. For kids, there are two adventure play areas and an owl maze. We also have other activities that range from Easter egg hunts to finding out information about the birds.

Westbury Court Garden is a Dutch water garden in Westbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, England, 9 miles southwest of Gloucester. The garden was designed 1695-1705. The house has gone but the garden survives and has the reputation of being one of the best examples of the 'Dutch Style in England' and of a 'Dutch canal garden'.

Littledean Jail in the Forest of Dean is a unique visitor attraction and home to the crime through time collection and the quadropehnia collection. Behind the austere gatehouse entrance, the prison, with it’s formidable sandstone façade remains much as it was when first built. Steeped in history and infamy, its awesome appearance provides a stark reminder of the hard labour and craftsmanship needed to build this architecturally important jailhouse.

The Wysis Way is a long distance hiking path that begins in Monmouth and leads east through The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the town of Kemble. The Way runs between Monmouth in Wales and Kemble, Gloucestershire in England.

The Dean Heritage Centre is located in the valley of Soudley, Gloucestershire, England. Discover the history of the Forest in a grade 2 listed mill building nestled in a valley in the heart of the glorious Forest of Dean. Explore our beautiful five-acre site and experience for yourself the splendour of the Forest that surrounds us.

Goodrich Castle is one of the finest and best preserved of all English medieval castles. Boasting a fascinating history and spectacular views from the battlements. It was owned successively by the Marshal, Valence and Talbot families, many of them important figures in war and national politics. It was an important border fortress responsible for securing southern Herefordshire but, despite its location, it had a relatively peaceful history until the Civil War.

This 4.5 mile long Sculpture Trail was one of the first to open in the UK which was established in 1986. It provides a unique opportunity to walk through the woodlands and discover art along the way. The Sculpture Trail links several different site-specific sculptures commissioned for the forest. It is open from dawn to dusk every day of the year.

Beechenhurst lies in the heart of the Forest of Dean, one of Britain's oldest and largest woodlands. It is the ideal place for families to start their forest adventure, with a Gruffalo Spotters trail, Sculpture Trail, play area, Go Ape Tree Top Adventure and climbing tower. The play area at Beechenhurst has a host of wooden play equipment for your kids to enjoy. There is a separate toddler area for our younger visitors.

Cannop Cycle Centre is a small woodland cycling centre, comprising mountain bike trails, a visitor centre, car parks and uplift service. It is located on the former site of Cannop Colliery in the Cannop Valley, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. The nearest village is Parkend, 3 miles away. The cycling centre has been an active supporter of the Hands off our Forest campaign and hosted a 'cycle protest rally' in January 2011.

Coppett Hill is situated in South Herefordshire in the parish of Goodrich, which is equidistant between Ross on Wye and Monmouth. Permissive paths give access to the reserve as well as offering views stretching from the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains to the Clee Hills in Shropshire and the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire. The reserve is within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Mallards Pike Lake is in the center of the Forest of Dean and is a beautiful lake surrounded by woodland. This is an ideal starting point for a walk or bike ride. This is the main location for Go Ape, the family cycle trail passes by here and there's a fab cafe too. One of the iconic attractions to relax and also you can spend some beautiful time with your loved ones in the center of greenery.

The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was once the broadest and deepest in the world. Even today, it stands out from other navigations because of its sheer scale and impressive engineering. With huge swing-bridges and pretty bridge-keepers’ houses to pass along the way, you’ll never be short of landmarks or beautiful viewpoints.

Mallards Pike Lake is in the centre of the Forest of Dean and is a beautiful lake surrounded by woodland. The lake is a hub of activity, with something for everyone, such as big family picnic areas, Go Ape, watersports, family cycling trails, parkruns and Gruffalo Orienteering for kids.

Gloucester Waterways Museum tells the story of our wonderful canals and rivers. It was housed in a warehouse at the heart of Gloucester’s fine Victorian docks. you can find out all about the people who lived and worked there – as well as marvel at the original Dunkirk Little Ship floating alongside the working steam dredger.

Gloucester Life Museum is one of the oldest-established museums dedicated to social history. It holds an important and fascinating collection of artefacts from the last few hundred years up to the 1960s and 1970s including a working jukebox.

Hopewell is a working coal mine managed by Rich Daniels, a freeminer of the forest. It offers a unique visitor experience in that you can actually visit the mine workings. See how coal, the power source of Britain for many centuries, is mined. Understand the extreme conditions that miners have to work in and so more.

The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum is located in Gloucester’s Historic Docks. The Museum displays the remarkable story of the Soldiers of Gloucestershire who have served their regiments since 1694. It depicts their courage, humour, their traditions and their sacrifices in exciting and colourful exhibitions for all ages to enjoy.

The Stroudwater Navigation in the Cotswolds is an 8 mile stretch of canal with 12 locks along the route. It is a canal managed by the Cotswold Canal Trust. These are a group of volunteers who are actively working on restoring the canal to its former glory.

The magnificent Gloucester Cathedral was built in 1100 as a Norman abbey church and survived the Dissolution thanks to its historical connection with the monarchy. It has one of the largest medieval stained glass windows in England and an elegant and impressive interior. The diocese covers the greater part of Gloucestershire, with small parts of Herefordshire and Wiltshire. The cathedral has a stained-glass window depicting the earliest images of golf.