Wildlife Safari
We’ve teamed up with Ed Drewitt, naturalist, broadcaster and wildlife detective to provide fascinating, entertaining and hopefully fun Wildlife Safaris and Dawn Chorus walks around the Forest of Dean. Ed also runs longer Nature Retreats.
Wildlife Safari with Ed Drewitt
You will be on the hunt for varieties of bats, deer, badgers, foxes, voles, mice, hedgehogs and wild boar. Late afternoon and evening are the perfect times to spot boar, when they come snuffling out to feed at dusk and during the night. You’ll be visiting popular places for the boar and looking out for their humbug-patterned boarlets. Fallow deer are also frequently seen here and may be encountered at any time. Amongst the ancient woodland we’ll also be listening out for evening birdsong, as Song Thrushes, Blackbirds and Robins, and less common birds such as wood warbler, proclaim their territories before nightfall.
Bring warm layers, boots or robust walking shoes and a torch. The walk lasts approximately two hours, and depending on timing will be proceeded or followed by a charcuterie board & glass of house wine at the hotel.
Tickets are £60 each and can be purchased by calling us on 01594 833046.
2024 dates:
- March 2nd
- April 26th
- May 18th
- June 29th
- August 3rd
- August 17th
- September 28th
- October 19th
- November 16th
- December 14th
Call us on 01594 833046 to book or click below.
Book NowOVERNIGHT PACKAGES
If you would like to add an overnight stay to your foraging package, you can take advantage of our “Experience Package” which includes dinner. Rates are:
Hatchling £199 per room per night
Hen £229 per room per night
Cockerel £249 per room per night
Suite £349 per room per night
Please note that this package can be taken on either the night before or the night after the experience you have booked. Saturday night may be subject to a minimum two night stay.
Call 01594 833046 for more information.
Private Wildlife Safari
Can be booked subject to availability with Ed. The cost is:
£200 for up to 4 people (i.e. 1 person is still £200), £25 for each additional person for over 4 people. Please note that food & drink is not included in the private safari.
Children aged 8 and over can join the Wildlife Safari trips, provided they are accompanied by an adult.
Call us on 01594 833046 to book.
These offers are for new bookings only, is subject to availability and cannot to be taken in conjunction with any other offers.
Dawn Chorus & Early Morning Bird Walks
Just as the sun rises across the forest, thousands of male birds wake up and sing together as the dawn chorus, defending their nest and mate. An important daily ritual for birds, this chorus is a delight for us to hear and good for our wellbeing; it is a special spring event for anyone to witness. We’ll arrive just as it is getting light, to hear just the very first birds to begin singing before they all sing at once. Gradually, like someone turning the volume dial down on radio, the chorus will peter out as many birds begin finding food for chicks. This will allow us to divert our attention to identify individual birds that will still be singing and look for shy mammals, such as wild boar and fallow deer, before they hide away for the day to rest. Having witnessed one of the forest’s special annual events, we will head back for a well-earned breakfast spread and to warm up with roasted coffee and fresh tea.
If a 5am or 5.30am start time is a little too early for your liking Ed also leads early bird walks that begin at around 7am or 8am.
Bring warm layers – can be very cold first thing -, boots or robust walking shoes and a torch. Walk will last approximately two hours.
Private walks can be booked subject to availability with Ed. The cost is:
£150 for up to 4 people (i.e. 1 person is still £150), £25 for each additional person for over 4 people.