Sociable Walking Weekend – Forest of Dean

Meeting Time: from 5pm.
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

Meeting Location:
YHA St Briavels
Lydney
Gloucestershire
GL15 6RG

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Parking: There is free parking at the hostel.

Public Transport: YHA St Briavels is located 8.4 miles from Lydney Train Station, with services to/from Cardiff Central, Cheltenham Spa and Nottingham.

Train Station Collection: We will be offering a complimentary collection from Lydney Station at 5pm & 6pm. This must be booked in advance. Please ensure you have an open return ticket as we will aim to drop off back at the station between 1-3pm.

Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive to the start of the walks, we don't include transport and people normally car share. 

Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

You’ll be staying in the majestic St Briavels Castle during this weekend break.

This 12th century English Heritage-owned castle has been sensitively converted into a hostel, providing space and grandeur in spades. Think vaulted ceilings, extensive wood panelling, and long trestle tables adjacent to open fires - you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to the Middle Ages!

We’ll be making use of the lovely chapel-conversion lounge area and banqueting hall, as well as the bedrooms. Please note, that due to the historical nature of this building, there are steep staircases.

Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

Accommodation Address:
YHA St Briavels
Lydney
Gloucestershire
GL15 6RG

Room Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room

At this hostel there are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - usually with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared).

Included:

• 2 nights’ accommodation at YHA St Briavels.

• A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.

• 2 days (Days 2 & 3) of guided walks around the Forest of Dean.

• Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.

• A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

• A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.

• Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

• Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

• The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

• Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

Not included:

• Travel to and from the meeting location.

• Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.

• Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

• Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.

• Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.

• Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

• Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.

• What level of fitness is needed?
  This trip is graded as Leisurely and Active - subject to participant numbers we hope to offer a choice of walks. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

• Can I attend on my own?
  Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

• I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
  Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.

• What transport is provided during this experience?
  We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.

• Can I bring my dog?
  Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

The Forest of Dean is an area of geographical, historical, cultural, and recreational interest in the western part of Gloucestershire. It’s an ancient forest and natural sanctuary that has changed use many times over the centuries - from medieval hunting forest to an important source of timber, charcoal production, iron working, and coal mining.

The Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley are “where England meets Wales”, and many of the walking routes in the area see you hopping over the border several times. An area of breathtaking viewpoints, iconic ruins, unique attractions and charming villages and market towns, it is a walker’s paradise.