Symonds Yat and the Wye Valley.pages

SYMONDS YAT AND THE WYE
VALLEY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Moderate Terrain
3 miles
Circular
1 to 1.5 hours
080615
A 3 mile circular walk from the small
village of Symonds Yat East in
Gloucestershire, taking in a stunning
stretch of the wooded Wye Valley.
The walk begins with a trip on the hand-pulled ferry
across the River Wye to the west bank, before turning
south along the Wye Valley and then crossing back to the
east side via a suspension footbridge and back along an
old railway to return to Symonds Yat East. The walk is
right on the borders of three counties and your journey
will take you through Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and
Monmouthshire. The word ‘picturesque’ was coined in
William Gilpin’s 1770 book ‘Observations on the River
Wye’ and this walk gives a real insight into his new
theories on landscapes.
Getting there
The walk starts from Symonds Yat East in
Gloucestershire which is accessed from the A40 and
B4229. There are a couple of pay and display car parks
in the village. The village has very narrow lanes and can
get very congested during peak holiday times so it is
advisable to arrive early.
Approximate post code HR9 6JL.
Walk Sections
Go
1
Symonds Yat East to Wye
Rapids
Access Notes
1. The walk is mainly flat and there are no stiles or
gates but just a few steps.
2. The first section is through a narrow mud woodland
path which will be slippery after wet weather, but the
majority of the walk follows well-made stone tracks.
3. The route starts with a river crossing via the handpulled ferry run by the Saracen’s Head public house.
Charges are £1 per adult, 50p per child and dogs can
be taken on the ferry for free. The ferry runs
throughout the year unless the river is in flood, but
you can call the pub to check before you set out if
you wish.
To start the walk you need to catch the hand-pulled ferry
which you board directly outside the Saracens Head
public house. The ferry is operated by the pub and runs
based on an ancient ferrying right that allows the local
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4. The second river crossing is via a suspension
footbridge which has a solid base but is high over
the river and bounces a little as you cross so may
not be for the faint-hearted.
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inns to provide passage across the river. Disembark on the
opposite (west) bank and climb up the flight of concrete steps.
At the top turn left onto the small tarmac lane.
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3
Biblins Suspension Bridge to
Symonds Yat East
You are now in Symonds Yat West in Herefordshire. Symonds
Yat is named after Robert Symonds, a 17th Century sheriff from
Yorkshire who set up a gate (or ‘yat’) here to charge those
wanting to pass through the area into the Forest of Dean.
Follow the road as it heads gently downhill into a dip and then
starts to climb more steeply. Turn left marked with a public
footpath sign and go down the steps to join a narrow woodland
footpath, following the river on your left.
After a short distance you will come to a section of rapids in the
river with a small island in the centre. Soon after, you will see
some of the remains of New Weir Forge on the banks to your
right.
These ironworks date from the 1590s and were operated by the
White family. In 1753, George White leased the site to John
Partridge who combined the ironworks at New Weir with his
forge at Lydbrook which smelted pig iron. The works included a
'slitting mill', for making wire nails and a rolling mill powered by
water wheels. The works closed when the lease ran out in 1798
and the adjacent weir and lock buildings were demolished and
the lock filled in 1814.
1
Rapids to Biblins
2 Wye
Suspension Bridge
The suspension footbridge was first built in 1957 but was fully
refurbished in 1997. Cross the bridge with care, observing the
rule for only six people to be on the bridge at any one time.
Back on the east bank, turn left to follow the track back to
Symonds Yat East. This first section of the return route is in
Monmouthshire, Wales and on the right is Lady Park Wood
nature reserve.
After a short distance take the left hand fork to keep to the track
nearest to the river. This track follows the route of the former
Ross and Monmouth Railway through Highmeadow Woods.
After about a mile you will pass once again alongside the river’s
rapids and you will get a great view of any canoeists taking on
the challenge that the white water presents. A few paces later
pass through the New Weir car park and then keep left past the
Royal Lodge and Forest View Guesthouse on your right.
Continue ahead to return to your car.
Continue following the woodland trail alongside the river. After
the little while turn left to merge with a wider stone track coming
in from the right. Continue ahead for about a mile with the river
on your left and the steep sides of the Wye Valley both sides.
Here the River Wye has cut a deep gorge in the carboniferous
limestone exposing impressive cliff faces, creating one of the
most dramatic and scenic landscape areas in southern Britain.
After about a mile you will pass a wooden vehicle barrier to
enter Biblins Youth Campsite. On the right is Lord’s Wood, a
steep woodland habitat of 117 hectares managed by the
Forestry Commission to support butterflies. More than 20
species of butterfly are known to breed here including Wood
White, Holly Blue and Brimstone.
Follow the track for another half mile. As the path begins to
bend to the right you will pass by a large covered picnic area
and just a few paces later you will see the Biblins Suspension
Footbridge which you will use to cross the river.
Full of character, this beautiful three storey
Victorian house nestles in the heart of the
lovely Wye Valley with stunning views over the
wonderful River Wye and up to famous Yat
Rock. The house easily accommodates 20
people and offers the perfect group
accommodation for family get-togethers,
special occasions, celebrations, reunions and
fun, activity-based holidays. Weekend, mid
week and weekly rates available, with children
and pets welcome.
www.hollytreehouse.info
t - 01600 772929
e - [email protected]
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Disclaimer
This walking route was walked and checked at the time of writing. We have taken care to make sure all our walks are safe for walkers of a
reasonable level of experience and fitness. However, like all outdoor activities, walking carries a degree of risk and we accept no responsibility for
any loss or damage to personal effects, personal accident, injury or public liability whilst following this walk. We cannot be held responsible for any
inaccuracies that result from changes to the routes that occur over time. Please let us know of any changes to the routes so that we can correct the
information.
Walking Safety
For your safety and comfort we recommend that you take the following with you on your walk: bottled water, snacks, a waterproof jacket,
waterproof/sturdy boots, a woolly hat and fleece (in winter and cold weather), a fully-charged mobile phone, a whistle, a compass and an Ordnance
Survey map of the area. Check the weather forecast before you leave, carry appropriate clothing and do not set out in fog or mist as these
conditions can seriously affect your ability to navigate the route. Take particular care on cliff/mountain paths where steep drops can present a
particular hazard. Some routes include sections along roads – take care to avoid any traffic at these points. Around farmland take care with children
and dogs, particularly around machinery and livestock. If you are walking on the coast make sure you check the tide times before you set out.
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