16 Outdoors- Other to Explore in Gloucestershire

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.

The Cotswold Falconry Centre is home to around 150 Birds of Prey – many of which can be seen in free-flying demonstrations each day. The Falconry Centre is open from mid-February to mid-November. The center provides bird lovers with a rare insight into the secret world of a number of species, many of which fly freely inside this protected habitat.

Started in 1971 for the purpose of protecting rare breeds of farm animals and was owned by Adam Henson who is passionate about farming and a regular feature on TV programmes such as Spring Watch. It has now developed into one of the UK's finest open farms and rare breed centres. There are ride-on tractors and an array of rare breeds of goats, sheep, pigs and cattle and also there are so many attractions in and around this place.

This unique area of over 150 lakes has something for everyone – from watersports and land activities, fantastic and varied birdwatching, excellent angling, off-road cycling, an inland beach, peaceful lakeside walks to beautiful Cotswold towns and villages waiting to be explored. You can come for a day visit, a short break or a family holiday.

The Cotswold Way is a long distance walk that runs for 102 miles (163km) from the medieval market town of Chipping Campden in the North Cotswolds, to the historic City of Bath. Although recognised as a suitable route for a National Trail in due course, the path was initially sponsored by Gloucestershire County Council, who had no powers of footpath creation, and so used only existing rights of way.

The Cotswold Hills rise gently west from the broad, green meadows of the upper Thames to crest in a dramatic escarpment above the Severn valley and Evesham Vale. Rural England at its most mellow, the landscape draws a unique warmth and richness from the famous stone beauty of its buildings.

A beautiful country park that covers an area of 143 acres of grassland and beechwoods situated on the Cotswold escarpment. Site of archaeological interest with panoramic views and waymarked trails. The park is a haven for nature and home to many birds, reptiles and mammals and is recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wonderful variety of wildflowers. Rising above the city of Gloucester, Crickley Hill it also boasts breath-taking views over the Severn Vale, the Brecon Beacon

The Dean Forest Railway is a 4 1⁄4-mile long heritage railway that runs between Lydney and Parkend in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. Traveling in nostalgic and comfortable carriages, pulled by either carefully restored steam locomotives or delightful diesel locomotives, this line winds through the atmospheric and calming panorama of the Forest of Dean, passing the numerous quaint station houses that have been repaired and maintained by the dedicated volunteers that continue to run the lin

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.

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 Cotswold Way is a 102 mile long National Trail running between the market town of Chipping Campden and the city of Bath. The journey along the Cotswold Way starts in the beautiful, historic market town of Chipping Campden. After leaving the town, the trail takes you out onto the Cotswolds escarpment with stunning views from Dover’s Hill, where the annual ‘Olimpick’ games are held.

Puzzlewood is an attraction suitable for all ages. The site, covering 14 acres (5.7 ha), shows evidence of open cast iron ore mining dating from the Roman period, and possibly earlier. The area contains strange rock formations, secret caves and ancient trees, with a confusing maze of paths.

Sezincote is unique. At the heart of a traditional, family-run estate covering 3,500 acres of rolling Cotswold countryside stands a 200-year-old Mogul Indian palace, set in a romantic landscape of temples, grottoes, waterfalls and canals reminiscent of the Taj Mahal.

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.

Westonbirt Arboretum is a remarkable place for people to enjoy and learn about trees. Borne of a Victorian passion for plant collecting, around 15,000 trees from all over the globe now offer the perfect setting to escape, relax or have an adventure. Spring is a special time at Westonbirt, as blossom and new leaves soften the sharp outlines of winter trees and colour abounds throughout the collection.

WWT Slimbridge is a wetland reserve situated close to Slimbridge village near to Dursley, Gloucestershire. It was the first Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) to be opened. Many water birds live there all year round, and others are migrants on their ways to and from their summer breeding grounds. Other birds overwinter, including large numbers of white-fronted geese and increasing numbers of Bewick's swans.