I didn’t really want a big fuss for my Birthday this year (last month). I just wanted to spend time with my family. After a hectic few weeks preparing to move house we decided to take some time out and go somewhere that we have been dying to go to for ages, Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean.
Puzzlewood is a 14 acre unique and enchanting woodland. More than just a wood, it is full of meandering pathways, twisted roots, mossey rocks, and various bridges and lookouts to explore. Certainly the sort of place this family enjoy.
We took my parents with us and enjoyed a lovely day out. Ok so the weather could have been a bit better and it could have been a little less crowded but it was pretty good and everyone had fun:
It can be a little tricky getting around, especially with steep steps and slippery rocks. You definitely can’t take pushchairs so we took the backpack for Daisy for when she got tired. Actually she would have kept going but we were worried it was too slippy and dangerous:
It was pretty muddy:
Puzzlewood definitely has a magical feel to it which makes it popular as a TV/Film location. You might recognise some of the scenery from programmes such as Merlin, Atlantis, Dr Who and of course Tree Fu Tom from Cbeebies.
Things we loved were the animals, the two mazes, the wood itself and of course the play park. We also enjoyed a picnic in the picnic area which was a great start to the day even if a little chilly. Things we weren’t so keen on were the number of other people there. It was absolutely packed but then it was a bank holiday. It wouldn’t put us off going back again but we would definitely avoid bank holiday weekends:
A great day out finished off with some of this yummy giant cupcake once back home:
Mmmmmmm delicious! A great day out.
Karen x
Prudence Clarke
September 12, 2014 at 11:07 pm (10 years ago)It looks like an amazing place for a day out and the cake is making me crave sugar (not good at this time of night).
Happy Birthday:)
Would Like To Be
September 14, 2014 at 8:13 pm (10 years ago)Thank you it was a great day out. Cake was yummy too x
Keitha
September 12, 2014 at 11:17 pm (10 years ago)Looks like a great place to explore, even with the crowds.
Would like to be
September 14, 2014 at 8:14 pm (10 years ago)It definitely was thanks 🙂
Sara (@mumturnedmom)
September 13, 2014 at 12:57 am (10 years ago)It looks beautiful Karen, and a perfect place to spend your birthday, what a lovely day out. As soon as you said it was popular for TV I thought, bet Merlin is filmed there 🙂 Your photos capture a lovely family day out. And, that giant cupcake looks very yummy! #CountryKids
Would like to be
September 14, 2014 at 8:18 pm (10 years ago)It was a great family day out you can see why they use it for filming. I forgot to write we were looking for fairies everywhere, definitely magical x
Mae @ Mommy Loves Trees
September 13, 2014 at 2:28 am (10 years ago)What a beautiful day. No place I would rather be on my birthday than in the forest. #countrykids
Would like to be
September 14, 2014 at 8:18 pm (10 years ago)It really was 🙂
Sarah MumofThree World
September 13, 2014 at 5:44 am (10 years ago)Lovely photos. It’s somewhere I’ve never been – or even thought to go. Will make sure I avoid bank holidays if I do go! I think most places are best avoided at bank holiday!
Would like to be
September 14, 2014 at 8:21 pm (10 years ago)The past few bank holidays we’ve been out and about and not enjoyed it as much. We’ve decided to avoid paid days out on these days x
Pinkoddy
September 13, 2014 at 6:10 am (10 years ago)Is it much different to other places then? Do you have to pay to get in? We saw the signs for it when we went to Meet the Gruffalo at the Forest of Dean, but I have never been either.
Would Like To Be
September 14, 2014 at 8:12 pm (10 years ago)You do have to pay & it’s not that cheap either but you can sometimes get vouchers online. The wood looks all enchanted and magical here and it is a bit different to other parts of the forest. Definitely worth a visit x
Coombemill
September 13, 2014 at 8:07 am (10 years ago)Yum, lovely to have a good day out ahead of that delicious cake. A very happy birthday to you. Interesting to hear about how crowded puzzlewood gets, it always looks so enchanting, but not when it is heaving, good advise to miss the peak holiday days. Thank you for sharing with me on country Kids and beautiful family photos as always.
Would like to be
September 14, 2014 at 8:23 pm (10 years ago)Thank you, it really was a lovely day. We love being outdoors and wide open spaces so don’t like crowds 🙂 x
Loving life with little ones
September 13, 2014 at 9:13 am (10 years ago)We went last year when it was really muddy, we had great fun finding our way around in the squelchy mud, the girls loved it, they especially liked the sand pit and bamboo maze.
Would like to be
September 14, 2014 at 8:25 pm (10 years ago)Aaahh yes the sandpit, the girls loved that too 🙂 we probably should have worn wellies ourselves but it so warm when we left home x
LauraCYMFT
September 13, 2014 at 12:25 pm (10 years ago)Looks like a really fun place to visit. The cake after looks yummy! x
Would like to be
September 14, 2014 at 8:26 pm (10 years ago)It was a great place & cake was delicious x
Aly
September 13, 2014 at 2:00 pm (10 years ago)Oh I love moss laden paths in forests.it just screams old and magical to me just like infairy stories.
Would like to be
September 14, 2014 at 8:26 pm (10 years ago)Definitely, we were chatting about fairies all the way around and looking for fairy doors x
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk)
September 13, 2014 at 11:24 pm (10 years ago)Lovely cakes and photos! Happy birthday! Today is mine and I hope I will have as much fun as you =) #countrykids
Would like to be
September 14, 2014 at 8:27 pm (10 years ago)Thanks for lovely comment and Hope you had a lovely birthday too x