Sex Education Filming Locations in the Forest of Dean: A Weekend Guide
Few television series have used the Forest of Dean quite as effectively as Netflix's Sex Education. The wooded roads, isolated houses, mist rising above the River Wye, and villages that feel slightly removed from modern life gave the series much of its distinctive atmosphere.
What makes these filming locations especially appealing is that they still feel remarkably unchanged in real life.
For visitors, exploring the Sex Education filming locations becomes more than screen tourism. It is also a way into one of the most atmospheric corners of the British countryside — a landscape of forest walks, riverside viewpoints, quiet villages, and slower weekends away from the city.
Table of Contents:
- Why the Forest of Dean Worked So Well for Sex Education
- The Most Memorable Sex Education Filming Locations
- A Slower Weekend Exploring Filming Locations
- Beyond The Filming Locations
- Where To Stay Near The Sex Education Filming Locations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Why the Forest of Dean Worked So Well for Sex Education
Part of what made Sex Education visually distinctive was its setting.
The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley offer a mixture of dense woodland, steep river valleys, winding roads, and isolated buildings that feel difficult to place in time. The result is a landscape that feels both recognisable and slightly cinematic — ideal for a series built around awkwardness, isolation, humour, and coming-of-age themes.
Unlike more heavily visited countryside destinations, the Forest of Dean still feels slightly wild around the edges. Many of the roads disappear into woodland, mobile signal drops unexpectedly, and some of the best views require a little patience to reach.
That slower atmosphere is precisely what gives the area its appeal.
The Most Memorable Sex Education Filming Locations
Jean and Otis’ House — Symonds Yat East
The most recognisable filming location from Sex Education is undoubtedly Jean and Otis’ house.
Perched high above the River Wye near Symonds Yat East, the striking Norwegian-style chalet became one of the defining visual elements of the show. Surrounded by woodland and overlooking the valley below, it perfectly captures the isolated atmosphere that runs throughout the series.
Although the property itself is privately owned and not open to visitors, nearby walking routes and viewpoints offer excellent views across the gorge.
The best approach is to combine it with a longer walk around Symonds Yat Rock rather than treating it as a quick stop.
Symonds Yat Rock
Even for visitors unfamiliar with Sex Education, Symonds Yat Rock remains one of the most impressive viewpoints in the region.
The elevated lookout offers wide views across the River Wye and surrounding woodland, particularly striking in early morning mist or during autumn when the forest turns copper and gold.
It is also one of the best places in the Wye Valley to spot peregrine falcons.
Puzzlewood
Dense woodland paths, moss-covered rock formations and unusually low woodland light make Puzzlewood one of the Forest of Dean’s most atmospheric places to explore.
Several sequences from Sex Education were filmed in and around this distinctive woodland, though many visitors recognise it more for its overall mood than for specific scenes.
It works best when visited slowly — preferably earlier or later in the day when the woodland feels quieter.
Moordale Secondary School
The fictional Moordale Secondary School was filmed at the former University of South Wales campus in Caerleon, South Wales.
Although slightly outside the Forest of Dean itself, it remains an easy drive from Newnham-on-Severn and works well combined with a visit to Tintern Abbey or Monmouth.
Tintern and the Wye Valley
Several scenes from the series use roads, bridges, and villages scattered throughout the Wye Valley.
The old Wireworks Bridge near Tintern is especially recognisable to fans of the series, while nearby roads and woodland tracks contribute to the show’s slightly timeless atmosphere.
Even without the filming connection, Tintern Abbey and the surrounding valley remain worth visiting in their own right.
A Slower Weekend Exploring the Filming Locations
The Forest of Dean works best over two nights rather than a rushed day trip.
That slower pace allows time to move between forest, river, and village without trying to fit everything into a single itinerary.
Day One: Arrival & Woodland Walks
Arrive in Newnham-on-Severn and settle into the slower rhythm of the area.
Take a walk along the River Severn before heading into the forest itself. Puzzlewood works particularly well for a first afternoon — atmospheric, easy to reach, and immediately distinctive.
Later in the day, continue towards Symonds Yat for wider valley views before returning to the village for dinner.
Black Pig remains one of the strongest local options for an informal evening meal, while Post on the High Street offers a more considered, slower-paced dinner
Day Two: Wye Valley & Filming Location
Begin the morning with breakfast before heading west towards the Wye Valley.
Spend time around Symonds Yat Rock and nearby walking trails before continuing towards Tintern and Monmouth. The drive itself forms part of the experience — wooded roads, river crossings, and long stretches where the landscape feels largely unchanged.
Rather than trying to visit every filming location, it is usually better to choose a few places properly and allow time between them.
That tends to suit both the landscape and the series itself.
Beyond the Filming Locations
Even visitors arriving primarily because of Sex Education often end up appreciating the wider area just as much.
Other worthwhile places nearby include:
- Beechenhurst Sculpture Trail
- Mallards Pike Lake
- Clearwell Caves
- Tintern Abbey
- Soudley Ponds
- Severn Bore viewing points along the River Severn
The combination of woodland, riverside scenery, and quieter villages gives the region a depth that extends well beyond screen tourism.
Where to Stay Near the Sex Education Filming Locations
For those planning a weekend getaway from London, Newnham-on-Severn works particularly well as a base. Positioned between the River Severn and the edge of the Forest of Dean, it allows easy access to the Wye Valley filming locations while remaining quieter and more grounded than busier tourist centres nearby.
Staying in Newnham-on-Severn allows easy access to both the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley while avoiding busier tourist centres deeper inside the forest.
We run Severnside Press, a Georgian dog-friendly townhouse B&B on the High Street in Newnham-on-Severn featured in Country Living and Period Living. It is conveniently positioned between the River Severn and the edge of the forest itself.
Previously a Victorian printing business, the building retains its historic character while offering a quieter, more considered base for exploring the area.
- Three ensuite rooms
- River Severn views from selected rooms
- Breakfast focused on local ingredients
- Riverside walks and forest access within minutes
For many guests, a two-night stay works best — enough time to properly experience the landscape without rushing between locations.
Check availability and book your stay at Severnside Press.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Otis’ house from Sex Education?
Jean and Otis’ house is located near Symonds Yat East in the Wye Valley, close to the Forest of Dean.
Can you visit the Sex Education house?
The house itself is privately owned and not open to visitors, but public footpaths nearby provide excellent views across the valley.
Where was Moordale Secondary School filmed?
The school scenes were filmed at the former University of South Wales campus in Caerleon near Newport.
Where was Sex Education filmed in the Forest of Dean?
Many woodland scenes were filmed around Puzzlewood, Symonds Yat, and the wider Wye Valley area surrounding the Forest of Dean.
Is the Forest of Dean worth visiting if you are not a fan of the show?
Absolutely. The filming locations work largely because the landscape itself is so distinctive — ancient woodland, river valleys, and quieter countryside that still feels relatively untouched.
Final Thoughts
Part of what made Sex Education memorable was the sense of place running quietly beneath the story.
The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley gave the series much of its atmosphere: wooded roads disappearing into mist, houses isolated above the river, villages that feel detached from modern pace and noise.
That atmosphere remains very real.
Come for the filming locations if you like, but leave space for the wider experience too — long walks beneath tree cover, quiet evenings in the village, and the slower rhythm that makes this part of Gloucestershire worth returning to.
Author: Tony + Alex
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