APART from its breath-taking scenery the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean has a number of family events on offer this week.

On Saturday July 8, families can enjoy a celebration of cider, sausages and live music at the 15in gauge Perrygrove Railway, near Coleford.

The food is being supplied by Harts Barn Cookery School, Mitcheldean, which is also running cookery demonstrations throughout the day. Anyone who wants to try a taste of the wild side can sample the wild boar sausages and the meat is locally sources in the Forest of Dean.

Local acts, including Topaz, New Voyage, Silurian, Tom Browning, Dixons of Dock Green and The Cheek, will be on stage providing entertainment throughout the day and nearby Hillside Brewery will bring along a selection of ciders and perries.

The event is open from 11am to 10 pm and the steam trains will run thoughout the day and into the evening. The event will take place at Rookwood Station. For more information visit http://perrygrove.co.uk/.

Those wanting a chance to relax in peace and beauty can pay a visit to Fawley Court gardens, How Caple, Herfordshire, on Sunday July 9.

The court dates back to the early 1600s and the gardens are known for their magnificent displays of delphiniums as well as other blooms including of mixed herbaceous plants, roses and annuals.

The rose terraces are a delight when in flower – filling the air with their delicate fragrance – while the lavender should be buzzing with busy bees.

The gardens are now managed organically with an emphasis on looking after the surrounding wildlife. Areas of meadow encircle one of the pools with seed of local provenance, used to create a species rich environment.

Kingfishers and water shrews have been spotted and the not so shy ducks and moorhens will be easy to spot. The gardens are open from 12 noon to 5pm and there will be light lunches, teas and a plant sale.

The Coleford Festival of Words is also taking place this week with a wide range of events to enjoy and take part in up to and including Sunday July 9.

The theme is reading, which will be explored through a programme in and around the town of public readings and new writing will be part of an open competition to be judged by prize winning local author Andrew Taylor.

Actor comedian Miles Jupp will introduce his new novel 'Egg and Soldiers', performance poet Hollie McNish - recently awarded the prestigious Ted Hughes Prize for her work - chart-topping novelist Andrew Taylor and crime specialist M.R.Hall bring a glamour and spice to local activity.

On Saturday there will be a family storywalk, Youth Slam and a screening of the HOOF film with an opportunity to study local history.

Sunday there is an event to commemorate the 800th year of the Charter that recognised the Forest of Dean and, at Hopewell Colliery, an afternoon with Warren James remembering traditional speeches day.