Dean Heritage Centre

15/10/2026

Thank you, George, for your thoughtful four-star review. We’re pleased you found the Dean Heritage Centre an interesting place to explore the stories of the people of the forest, the industries that shaped their lives, and the hard work behind it all. We’re always grateful for feedback as we continue sharing and preserving this important local heritage.

12/10/2026

🎃 Pick it. Carve it. Take it home.

Pumpkin carving is coming to the Dean Heritage Centre this October and it’s the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit. 👻🍂

Choose your pumpkin, roll up your sleeves and create your very own spooky, silly or spectacular design to take home with you. Whether you go for a classic jack-o’-lantern, a funny face or something completely unique, the only limit is your imagination.

📅 Saturday 24 October
📅 Sunday 25 October
📅 Friday 30 October
📅 Saturday 31 October

🎟️ £5 per pumpkin
⏰ 30-minute carving sessions
🎃 Maximum of 4 pumpkins per session

Spaces are limited, so booking is recommended if you want to guarantee your pumpkin and preferred time slot.

Perfect for little monsters, grown-ups and anyone who loves a bit of Halloween creativity. 🧡

Who’s ready to create a pumpkin masterpiece?

Book your carving slot here:

Pick your pumpkin and get carving!

08/10/2026

Last few tickets remaining. Grab them whilst you can...

During the session, you’ll create up to three textile poppy seed heads using beautiful Harris Tweed and William Morris designs, with all materials provided.

08/10/2026

A wonderful five-star visit from rosiestewart22, who discovered Dean Heritage Centre while walking at Soudley Ponds and ended up staying for three hours! From space for their one-year-old to explore, to a lovely lunch and friendly staff, it sounds like a memorable day for all the family. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

06/10/2026

🍎 Autumn in the Forest doesn’t get much better than this…

Join us at the Dean Heritage Centre on Sunday 11 October for a lovely FREE Apple Day celebrating local food, growing, community and one of autumn’s best-loved fruits. 🍂

There’ll be plenty happening throughout the day:

🍏 Have a go at traditional apple pressing
🥕 Discover local produce grown right here in the Forest of Dean
🌱 Meet local gardening and growing groups
👩‍🌾 Enjoy demonstrations, ideas and inspiration around seasonal food
🎨 Apple-themed games and crafts for children
🍎 Learn more about where our food comes from

Apple Day is being held in partnership with the Forest Food Network and Forest Food Forum, bringing together growers, food lovers, families and community groups for a relaxed autumn day at the Centre.

📅 Sunday 11 October
⏰ 11am–4pm
🎟️ FREE
📍 Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley

Please note, the last apple juice pressing will take place at 2.30pm, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time if you’d like to have a go. 🍎

Whether you come to learn something new, keep the children entertained, meet local growers or simply soak up the autumn atmosphere, there’ll be plenty to discover.

Tag someone you’d bring along and come celebrate the flavours and traditions of autumn with us. 💚

More information:

A celebration of apples, local food and community

05/10/2026

We are really looking forward to this.

04/10/2026

🍂 Fancy a creative autumn Saturday doing something a little different?

Join us at the Dean Heritage Centre on Saturday 17 October for our beautiful Textile Poppy Workshop, led by craft facilitator Mandy. 🌺

You’ll spend a relaxed few hours creating up to three textile poppy seed heads using gorgeous Harris Tweed and William Morris designs — and you’ll get to take your finished creations home with you.

And the best bit? Everything is taken care of.

✨ All materials included
☕ Refreshments included
🥪 Lunch included
🌺 Make up to three poppy seed heads to take home

You don’t need to be an experienced crafter either. Whether you already love getting creative or simply fancy trying something new, this is a lovely chance to switch off, enjoy some good company and make something completely unique.

📅 Saturday 17 October
⏰ 10am–2pm
📍 Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley
🎟️ £32.50 per person

Places are limited and booking is essential, so if this sounds like your kind of Saturday, don’t leave it too late. 💚

Book your place here:

During the session, you’ll create up to three textile poppy seed heads using beautiful Harris Tweed and William Morris designs, with all materials provided.

04/10/2026

🍂 Our autumn opening hours are changing… but you can still get your coffee fix all week! ☕🌿

From Monday 5 October, the Dean Heritage Centre Museum will move to its autumn opening hours:

🏛️ MUSEUM
Thursday – Sunday | 10am – 5pm

But don’t worry — the Heritage Coffee Shop remains open all week! ☕🍰

So even when the museum doors are closed, you can still pop in for a warming drink, a slice of cake, lunch or a catch-up with friends.

Then from Thursday to Sunday, why not make a day of it? Explore the history and stories of the Forest of Dean, enjoy a wander around our beautiful surroundings and finish (or start!) with something delicious from the Coffee Shop. 🌳

📍 Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley

Museum: Thursday–Sunday, 10am–5pm
☕ Heritage Coffee Shop: Open all week

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post. 💚

01/10/2026

Thank you, Jan Hübner, for your wonderful five-star review. We’re delighted you enjoyed discovering the rich history and culture of the Forest of Dean, from the region’s heritage and Freeminers to its fascinating natural history.

Admission to the Dean Heritage Centre is free, with visitors welcome to make a voluntary donation. We hope to see you again soon!

26/09/2026

Oh help! Oh no! Gruffalo Day has arrived! 🎉🌲

Today we are celebrating the arrival of Gruffalo Granny with a day of family fun at the Dean Heritage Centre.

🎨 Join us for Gruffalo crafts from 10am–1pm
📖 Settle down for Story Time from 1.30pm–3pm
🍴 Discover special Gruffalo Grub in the Heritage Coffee Shop
🌳 Follow the Gruffalo Trail through the woodland

Activities are £5 per child, with food purchased separately.

Grab your little explorers and join us in the deep dark wood!

📍 Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley

Oh help! Oh no! It’s a Gruffalo Day!