Symonds Yat – take your time or make it rapid

There are so many reasons to visit Symonds Yat in south Herefordshire. Bordering the Royal Forest of Dean to the south and lush agricultural pastures to the north, the Yat Gorge is carved through limestone geology to create a place that has long been a special draw for visitors.

Whatever you want from your holiday – from relaxing on a Kingfisher River Cruise to the adrenaline buzz of adventure sports or making a splash with Monmouth Canoe Centre – the area around Symonds Yat has something to offer.

Distinguished by east or west, Symonds Yat villages straddle opposing banks of the Wye. The best way to reach one from the other is by the hand-pulled ferry. They’ve been doing it that way for hundreds of years. Or simply kick back, have a bite to eat and people watch from the river bank at the Saracens Head Inn.

Inns, pubs, guest houses, B&Bs, hotels and self-catering cottages make the most of the dramatic scenery as they are settled, perched and placed amoungst the hills and plains of the Wye Valley.

At Symonds Yat west you’ll find family favourites including the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo and the Amazing Hedge Puzzle, you can catch a river cruise on both sides of the river, join the cycleway and find a range of adventure sports.

Visit the viewpoint overlooking the Yat’s Horseshoe bend, framed against a breathtaking background of south Herefordshire and the Black Mountains beyond. It’s a remarkable natural environment and the view from Yat rock has become the stuff of legend. At the right time of year and with a little luck you will be able to see the famous nesting peregrine falcons.

Just 3 miles from Symonds Yat you’ll find Goodrich Castle – a great place to see border history brought to life – whether you’re a Roundhead or a Cavalier

If you’re up for it, you’ll find it at Symonds Yat. For thrill seekers there’s rock climbing and abseiling at Yat rock, canoeing and white-water rafting down our grade 2 river rapids and a cycleway to Monmouth. Slap, splash in the middle of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Symonds Yat is timeless – and it’s tempting to while away time watching the world and river users go by from the Inns and Tea Rooms by the banks of the River Wye.

Discover the Wye Valley on Foot and by Bus" is your guide to wonderful walks around stunning countryside and includes countryside walks linked to bus services and places to visit by bus.