If you’re looking for a weekend of outdoor adventure, why not consider Symonds Yat near the Royal Forest of Dean.

Symonds Yat is an ancient area of outstanding natural beauty. Nestled in the heart of Herefordshire, it is one of the oldest areas of human habitation in the UK. The area is steeped in history and has long been covered in woodland and forest.

If you’re considering a good weekend break then you’ll find plenty of places to stay, and if you want to try some accommodation Herefordshire style, then you will find some of the best hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts in Herefordshire right in the heart of Symonds Yat gorge.

The River Runs Through It

The river Wye runs through the heart of the Yat, splitting it in two, East and West. The river is best viewed from the top of Yat Rock where the ox-bow bend can be clearly seen. There is some great rock climbing around here and many rock climbing groups embark on conquering the ‘needle’ rock which juts out from the gorge. Walking around Yat Rock is truly breathtaking, with deer and peregrine falcons at large. If you have long enough, this is a great place to start exploring the Forest of Dean which is right on your doorstep.

The River Wye offers up some of the best salmon fishing in England but a permit is needed as there are clubs who fish the waters here.

If canoeing floats your boat then a trip down the rapids is worth a day, boats can be hired from both sides of the river and there are some great routes to take in both direction up and down stream.

Endless Forests

There are quite literally miles of quiet woodland and forest walks and cycle routes around Symonds Yat, and that is not taking into consideration the Forest of Dean next to the Yat and the rest of the Wye Valley.

Hiking, walking and cycling is all popular around Symonds Yat and you can easily get lost so a map is worth investing in.

The sights around here are beautiful. Beech, oak and pine woods blanket the area with a wide variety of fauna and flora, not to mention the wild life, wood ants, wood peckers, deer, peregrines, cave spiders and the occasional boar. Symonds Yat is peppered with old caves and a few mines as well as old lime kilns. Some of these are open to the public but it is not advised to venture into the caves without a guide or an experienced caver.

If you think of the film Excalibur, then you’ll have a good idea of the beauty of Symonds Yat. It really is a hidden gem in the British countryside. There is plenty to do in the area and a long weekend is probably not enough. If you’re hiking in winter then be wary of the slippery rocks under foot, there are a couple of small waterfalls during winter months and Symonds Yat covered in snow is something to behold.

If you’re looking for a Herefordshire bed and breakfast then a visit to the Saracens Head Inn is well worth the money, although you may need to book ahead as the Inn is very busy.

Article by Simon Lucas