The wayward weather behaved for the lucky passengers on a Bluebird Coach tour starting from Chepstow Castle. We went around the town and towards the Forest of Dean via Wintours’ Leap and St Briavels. We turned to go past Dark Hill, viewing iron works, as well as a monument dedicated to Forest heroes — the Mushets –  metallurgists who worked on the process for self-hardening steel. We then went on to Parkend before heading to Speech House. This gave us a chance to glimpse the newly restored stained glass window, Cathedral, which is a highlight of the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail. We then went past Beechenhurst, up the Cannop Valley and over the Monmouth-Gloucester Road A4136 to Lydbrook, before following the River Wye to Kerne Bridge. With Goodrich Castle on the skyline we headed to the A40. We were lucky enough to view fallow deer grazing at Wyastone Leys.  Lunch in Monmouth.  We drove up the High Street before 250 scouts and guides paraded for St George’s Day. Back in the Forest we headed to Forest of Dean Railway at Norchard where we had an enjoyable trip both to Parkend and Lydney.

We returned to Chepstow along the Roman road, the A48.  Throughout the day there were fabulous views of the Severn & Wye Valleys. Many of the spring wild flowers were out. We had

more than a hint of the bluebells that will be at their best in May.

Tags: Coach and Minibus tours

It was a good Friday indeed when a coach tour, organised by Woods Coaches, came all the way from Leicester to see the Spring colours of the Forest of Dean. The tour started and finished at the bustling, Welsh market town, Monmouth. In fact market day had been changed from the Saturday to Good Friday, so that was a bit of good luck.

Colours in the Forest are lovely any time of year. Although it was still too early to see bluebells and wild garlic, there was plenty of yellow from the daffodils and  primroses. There was some unexpected dark brown/grey colour as well. We were very surprised but delighted to see a large family of wild boar picnicking not far from Wenchford picnic site!