Forest of Dean Visitor Strategy

A landscape loved by many

The Forest of Dean is an extraordinary natural resource, offering space for people to explore, relax, and connect with nature. Designated as one of the first National Forest Parks in 1938, it sits alongside the Wye Valley; often considered the birthplace of English tourism.

Today, the Forest continues to attract millions of people each year. In 2023, Visit Dean Wye recorded 5.1 million day visits and 2.6 million overnight stays from UK and international visitors. At our Forestry England sites (Beechenhurst, Symonds Yat Rock, Mallards Pike, and the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre) we welcomed almost 1 million visitors in 2024/25. And these figures don’t include visits to our smaller sites or those who arrive on foot, by bike, or via alternative transport.

Two women walking along a track in a forest with two dogs

Balancing enjoyment with protection

The Forest of Dean is loved by both residents and visitors. Leisure and tourism play a vital and growing role in the local economy, but this growth brings challenges, such as:

  • Traffic and parking pressures
  • Limited public transport
  • Conflicts between different forest users
  • Impacts on wildlife, habitats, heritage, and archaeology

Much of the forest’s publicly accessible land - around 10,000 hectares - has remained largely unchanged since the 19th century. This shared space must continue to support both people and nature far into the future.

Why we need a visitor strategy

To safeguard the Forest of Dean while supporting the needs of communities, visitors, and wildlife, we are developing a long-term visitor strategy. This strategy will form a key part of the “big picture” plan for the forest, setting out a sustainable direction for leisure and tourism that works both environmentally and financially.

It will draw on the views of residents, visitors, businesses and other local stakeholders; ensuring that decisions are shaped by those who know and care for the Forest of Dean.

A group of cyclists riding on a gravel track through a forest
A mother and child stood outside a cafe wearing warm clothing

What are we doing?

The visitor strategy is a long-term project, with the final document expected towards the end of 2027. In the meantime, we will be:

  • Conducting detailed data research
  • Gathering views and insights from the public
  • Working closely with local businesses and partners
  • Understanding how people use the forest now, and how they want to in future