Puzzlewood, Coleford

We have visited Puzzlewood a couple of times and always have great fun here. The kids enjoy playing hide & seek and elves & goblins in the wood and they also like seeing the animals in the field there. Last time we were there they had calves, kids and rabbits. In the barn is ‘Wood Puzzle’ which is a wooden type of maze with walkways, tunnels and steps all inside a fairly small area. You have to find 7 animal pictures inside which is easier said than done. For an extra £1 you can have a pony ride which is fun. We don’t tend to eat here but get ice-creams and drinks from the café which are great. Can get busy in summer, get there early to avoid the queues for tickets.

You arrive at Puzzlewood through a small car park leading to a tiny ticket office, café and shop. You have no clues to the size of the wood itself until you walk into it. As you would expect it is cooler and darker inside and the paths are quite slippery. But it really is magical with its winding rock paths, hidden wooden bridges and rocky steps. It is often compared with Tolkien’s Middle Earth and you can see why. My son didn’t really get this but loved exploring the wood and finding new paths and bridges. We did struggle to find our way out though, there are no markings or signs at all to give you an idea as to where you are. A lovely experience though. We finished with a picnic in the play area where you have spectacular views over the countryside.