The Great Outdoors
Coppett Hill Common
Bluebells on Coppett Hill in May 2005
Permissive paths give access to the reserve as well as offering marvellous views stretching from the Brecon Beacons to Clee Hill and the Malverns. The Reserve is within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Coppett Hill – Snakes & Ladders Path
www.coppett-hill.org.uk
Perrygrove Railway & Treetop Adventure
On the edge of the Royal Forest of Dean in a lovely rural setting, Perrygrove Farm has a private railway which the owners (Frances and Michael Crofts) open to the public during the holiday season. The return trip is 1 ½ miles, travelling between 4 different stations, each with paths leading into ancient woodland. You can join the train as often as you like. All the engine drivers are friendly and will explain the workings of the locomotives if you are interested.
At the main station there is a fascinating Indoor Village with Secret Passages – these are ideal for hide-and-seek and are (just) big enough for adults too! There is a covered picnic and play area at Foxy Hollow, a short stroll from Oakiron station. In 2009 a new attraction is opening – the Treetop Adventure.
There is a café which offers hot and cold drinks and light refreshments at very reasonable prices but Perrygrove also welcomes picnics, for which seats are provided in the open and under cover if it rains. This is particularly helpful if you are organising a birthday party on a tight budget.
Disabled visitors are welcome. Outdoor clothes and shoes are needed in the wood.
You do not need to book in advance for a visit except in December when Father Christmas actually comes down the chimney to meet children and hand out presents in a magical atmosphere which is unique to Perrygrove.
http://www.perrygrove.co.uk/
Goodrich Castle
Goodrich Castle
Dramatically set on a rocky outcrop with stunning views over the Wye Valley, Goodrich Castle gives a fascinating insight into life in a medieval castle.
Come and relive the turbulent history of Goodrich, once a baronial palace built to defend the English borders with Wales. The site still boasts one of the most complete sets of medieval domestic buildings surviving in any English castle.
For opening times and other details view the pdf here: Goodrich Castle .pdf
Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Tour Guides
There are many great walks close to Flanesford Priory both in the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean. To get the most from them for your group, why not consider a guided walk with an accredited Tour Guide? Your Official Guide will provide you with an informative, yet entertaining experience that will leave you wanting to come back for more. We have experts in the folklore, history, architecture, and nature of the area. Just name your interests and you'll enjoy an unforgettable visit to the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
- We lead country walks that can vary with the seasons; daffodils and bluebells in the spring or stunning autumn colours. Walks can be along the riverbanks, woodlands or rolling pastures. We can provide a gentle stroll or a more challenging walk.
- We lead walks in the local market towns of Monmouth, Ross-on-Wye, Coleford, Chepstow and Newent.
We also provide guides for coach operators touring the area but can also lead smaller groups in a minibus or large car. We are members of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourist Association and are accredited by the Forest of Dean District Council.
Outdoor Activities with
At Flanesford Priory we can arrange any outdoor activity that your group could want. Whether you want to go Canoeing on the River Wye, Climbing at Symonds Yat, Gorge Walking in Herefordshire or Coarse Fishing on the River Wye, we can sort it.
Flanesford Priory can help arrange everything that you need to have the best stay in Herefordshire and The Forest of Dean possible. We realise that outdoor activities for your group should be really fun and well organised with great food and exciting activities. Below are just a few of the outdoor activities that we can offer, please feel free to call us at Flanesford Priory if you want anything different.
For more detailed information about the activities and to book a session visit www.LifeChangingActivities.com or call 01989 566672
Gorge Walking in Herefordshire
Gorge walking is the ultimate in outdoor thrills, your team will be scrambling up rivers, climbing waterfalls and abseiling into lichen covered chasms. Gorge walking is a great team bonding/building exercise for your staff. It is a huge confidence builder and is a great tool for examining communication and leadership. Herefordshire and Monmouthshire both have beautiful gorges that you can enjoy just a short drive from your accommodation.
Team Challenge at Flanesford Priory
If your Company wants to tie in an outdoor activity during management training at our accommodation why not go for our Team Challenge, it combines team dynamics, leadership and problem solving in one fun package and everybody can join in. The basic idea is that your group is split into teams with each team having its own guide/scorekeeper. The teams then compete against each other and against the clock. There are a huge range of games, puzzles and challenges to choose from. Some challenges will be mental, some physical, some creative and others will just drive you crazy.
Raft Building in the Forest of Dean
If you want a fun team building activity while staying in our luxury group accommodation then why not try Raft Building in the Forest of Dean? All the activity takes place in a beautiful lakeside location. It is a great exercise for exploring communication and leadership as your team design, build and then paddle their own raft around the lake without it falling apart.
Canoeing on the River Wye
Canoeing is a wonderful team activity for exploring interpersonal relationships. You will be travelling in pairs down the River Wye, paddling canadian canoes. While learning to control the canoes your team will be able to see kingfishers, peregrine falcons, and cormorants as well as some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. Your team can also stop off at a pub for lunch and have games of water polo on the way down.
Climbing and Abseiling at Symonds Yat
If you have a fairly active group with a sense of adventure then climbing and abseiling at Symonds Yat is a great corporate training experience. There is no better exercise for exploring risk (perceived v actual) and trust. When you are dangling over a cliff with your colleagues holding the rope, trust and empathy can really be explored in earnest.
GoApe!
BRING OUT YOUR INNER APE!
Think you, your friends and family can handle 3 hours of tree top adventure? Are you wild enough to climb 30ft up a rope ladder, Tarzan Swing into a giant rope net then zip wire through trees, crawl through tunnels and tackle high wire rope bridges? If the answer’s yes, you’re ready to Go Ape.
For further information and to book visit www.goape.co.uk or call 0845 643 9215 (a £1.50 booking charge will be added to a telephone booking).
Coarse Fishing
Flanesford Priory, situated between the Market Towns of Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth in Goodrich, is ideally placed for a day's fishing in the picturesque Wye Valley on the River Wye, and now has available approximately one mile of single bank coarse fishing, which is part of the Hillcourt Fishery.
The River Wye, particularly in this area, is a popular venue for visiting fishermen due to its quality and quantity of fish. Riffles and deep holding pools also attract a variety of fish including Barbel to 12lbs, Chubb to 5lbs, large shoals of Dace to 1lb, good stocks of Roach/Bleak, eels, the occasional Trout, Perch and large Pike up to 30lbs, as well as Shad during May and June.
There is easy bank-side access within walking distance of Flanesford Priory.
Open season for coarse fishing is between the 16th June and 14th March. Licences can be obtained from local post offices and the nearest is in Goodrich. They can also be purchased on-line from the Environment Agency website - www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
Fishing is exclusive to the residents and guests of Flanesford Priory only.
To ensure that this beautiful resource remains in the same condition, we request that you leave as when you arrive, which includes taking care in relation to litter and fishing tackle.
Please refer to the Environment Agency byelaws as these apply to the River Wye.