Meet the Sloly Family
With a burning desire to explore the natural wonders of Planet Earth, the Sloly family take every opportunity to get outdoors and into nature. They have a trusty VW camper van (Thunderbolt) in which they explore the UK, public transport and walking boots for the rest of the world. Annette’s first experience of hiking was when she was 6, in the incredible Tatra Mountains with her Grandfather, the same Summer her Mum taught her how to row, and fillet a fish for dinner. Having travelled to some of the most obscure places in the world on family holidays, David continued along the same line, one year crossing the Sahara in his Land Rover Safari to meet The Tuareg, the “Blue Men” of the Desert. These experiences have helped shape their family values and passions which they are now passing onto their son, Hunter, a curious 6 year old explorer with a passion for adventure
Visiting the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
Walks along the Wye River and Symonds Yat
The adventure started as we were driving through the Forest of Dean to the campsite when a family of wild boar dashed across the road in front of our camper van. The Forest of Dean is a great place to explore with your kids, with nearly 50 square miles of ancient woodland, set in West Gloucestershire between the Wye and Severn rivers on the Welsh Border. We walked along tracks lined with Copper Beech that cut through the forest and found ourselves looking up in awe at the giant American Conifers and catching the odd glimpse of Deer and Wild Boar. After zigzagging through the forest we came out at the River Wye, where you can hire canoes and paddle along the river.
Another great walk (Dads may have to put kids on shoulders as its quite long and steep in parts) is from Bracelands campsite to the famous Symonds Yat Rock, which has striking views of the River Wye winding its way through the gorge below where, during the summer months, you can spot Birds of Prey such as Peregrine Falcons.
There are plenty of opportunities for kids to play and explore their natural surroundings and there are miles of walking and cycling tracks, as well as archery, and treetop adventures. We can’t recommend the forest of Dean enough for kids. We had rain, sun and wind but the beauty of the area ensured our spirits where never dampened.
Keep up with Hunter’s adventures >
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