Herefordshire · Wye Valley
The local area
Hole-in-the-Wall is a hamlet: a quiet lane and the river a short walk through the fields. Ross is ten minutes. The rest is for when you want a day out.
From the door
What people go out to.
A few minutes on foot
The River Wye
Walk, fish at Foy Bridge or The Creel, canoe or paddleboard. This is why people stay.
Ten minutes
Ross-on-Wye
The market town: independent shops around the Market House, cafés, and the Prospect over the river.
Twenty minutes
Symonds Yat Rock
The horseshoe bend — the postcard of the valley. Peregrines if you’re lucky. Canoes, the hand-pulled ferry and riverside pubs below.
Twenty minutes
Goodrich Castle
Red sandstone, English Heritage, an easy morning. Often the first castle people ask for.
Twenty-five minutes
Forest of Dean Cycle Centre
Mountain biking and family trails at Cannop. Hire from Pedalabikeaway if you haven’t brought bikes.
Half an hour
Puzzlewood & Go Ape
Strange woodland (a favourite with children) and high ropes at Beechenhurst, in the same forest.
Half an hour
Westons Cider
A tasting and the shop — an easy afternoon if the legs have had enough.
A wet hour
Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo
Free-flying tropical butterflies at Symonds Yat West. Gentle, indoor, and close.
Half an hour
Oldfield Forge
A couples’ three-hour forging session on Garway Hill. Book ahead.
Down the valley
Tintern Abbey
The big romantic ruin — worth the drive if you like a ruin with a view.
About forty minutes
Hereford
The cathedral and the Mappa Mundi, if you want a city day.
About forty-five minutes
Hay-on-Wye
Bookshops, the river, and a town that rewards a slow afternoon.
For the water, see fishing.
Local map
Walks, pubs and the river
The cottages, walks from the door, fishing and the Wye.