Wild Experiences

Tours for Two: Forest of Dean in Spring

Beautiful forests and elusive wildlife, explore the ancient woodlands of the Forest of Dean on a guided wildlife break in search of special birds and mammals that call this magical place home.

Journey with your local wildlife guide in spring to look out for breeding migrants such as Pied Flycatcher, Redstart and Nightjar. We may also be lucky to see breeding finches including Hawfinch and Crossbill.

Along with birds, the Forest of Dean is home to the largest population of Wild Boar in the UK and evening drives and walks will give you a great chance to spot these elusive mammals. The historical Speech House hotel is positioned in the heart of the Forest of Dean making it an ideal location to access all key sites we will be visiting in the duration of this exciting tour.

Travel along rivers to find Dippers and Wagtails, search forests for Marsh tit and, if we’re lucky, scan from a treetop view to find displaying Goshawks.

If you enjoy being in nature or you are a wildlife lover, spring in the Forest of Dean offers excellent chances to view elusive wildlife and create a memorable trip to be treasured.

Add upgrades to make your Tours for Two customisable, including extra night’s stay, upgrade your accommodation to a log cabin with a hot-tub, rent a canoe to explore the River Wye, or tour a local Gin Distillery.

What’s included

  • Accommodation and all meals
  • Reserve entry fees
  • Guided Wildlife Experiences
  • Travel during the trip
  • Accommodation, all meals

What’s not included

  • Travel Insurance
  • Initial travel to hotel


Day One

After an introductory talk, we will head out on our first walk. Following the Forest streams, we will look out for Dipper and Grey Wagtail along with other woodland birds such as Marsh Tit, Nuthatch and Treecreeper. We will check into the hotel later afternoon ready for our three-course dinner in the historical Verderers court room. Following this, there is an optional night time drive around quieter roads in search of Wild Boar, Fallow Deer and other nocturnal wildlife.

Day Two

Start with an optional pre-breakfast walk for woodland species which may include Firecrest, Crossbill and Siskin. Our first location may be New Fancy Viewpoint. This is a great vantage point to look for Goshawk and other birds of prey. Crossbill is another target which often perch atop of conifers, feeding on cones. In spring this is a great spot to see Adder and we will check sunny spots amongst the bracken and gorse in hopes to see this venerable species.

Parkend village will be our next stop with key sites here for Hawfinch in particular. Other birds may include Crossbill, Greenfinch, Thrushes and Dipper.
We will visit Nags Head nature reserve for breeding migrants. The ancient Oak woodland is a key breeding site for Pied and Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart and Wood warbler. A short walk around this reserve will give us a good chance to see these species.

After lunch at the local pub or café we will head to Woorgreens lake and Crabtree hill. With a range of habitats on offer we will pass through wet woodland, conifer plantations, open heathland and wetlands picking up a range of species including Goosander, Redpoll, Crossbill and Stonechat. Spring targets here would include Tree Pipit and Willow Warbler.
Following dinner we will either take a second night time drive for further chances of Wild Boar and other forest wildlife or head to local clear fell areas to listen out for Nightjar and Woodcock at dusk.

Day Three

The day begins with an optional pre breakfast walk or a chance to visit local sites for species such as Hawfinch or Dipper.

After breakfast we visit Cannop Ponds. Here is an opportunity to get close to smaller woodland birds and be able to pick out key differences for identification. Nuthatch, Marsh Tit and Brambling can be seen at close range. The ponds itself hold many wildfowl including Goosander, Mandarin, Wigeon and Little Grebe.

Following lunch, we head to the spectacular viewpoint at Symonds Yat Rock, overlooking the beautiful River Wye and surrounding woodland. This renowned vantage point offers excellent opportunities to watch birds of prey, including Peregrine Falcon and, with luck, the elusive Goshawk.

Upgrades available for this tour:

  • Room upgrade +£210
  • Float in the Forest £66pp
  • Forest Segway £38.95pp
  • Bike Hire £35pp
  • Canoe the river Wye £35pp
  • Silver circle Gin Distillery tour £20pp

We will contact you on confirmation to arrange your upgrades.

*Per person prices based on two guests. Prices may vary per person for three guests.


  • Terrain will be uneven in some locations – walking sticks are recommended.

Accommodation & Travel Details

Accommodation Address:

Speech House Hotel, Forest of Dean

Meeting:

We will be meeting at the Speech House Hotel at midday ready to enjoy our wildlife experience.

Meet Your Guide

Arron Roberts

Arron has guided Wild Boar photography trips and specialises birding in the Forest of Dean. Travel has been a constant throughout Arron’s life; he’s always searching for the next incredible wildlife encounter and natural wonder. From the Highlands of Papua New Guinea to admiring the Aurora Borealis in Norway or to searching for moose in Canada, Arron’s realisation of sharing these experiences with others has become more and more important, creating special memories that last a lifetime.

Cornwall Winter Birding Dates & Prices

Book your experience Date and pay the Deposit. Full tour amounts are due 60 days prior to departure.
*note only the start date will show on our booking system, confirmation of tour dates are below.

Date

Availability

May 2027

Available
Book

Price

Adults: £995 per person
Deposit on booking: £147

Balance due 60 days prior (split payments available).
Upgrade costs due on balance.

Customer Loyalty

We reward the loyalty of our customers, receive 15% off your fifth tour booked with us at Wild Experiences.