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Symonds Yat Rock

(Average user rating5 unrated 4.2/5)
 
For more than 200 years visitors have come to the area to view its picturesque landscape. The internationally famous viewpoint is situated 120m above the gorge of the River Wye with views over rural Herefordshire and the mountains of mid-Wales.

Nearby cliffs are the nesting place of Peregrine Falcons, you can enjoy watching the birds while they hunt and raise their young from April to August each year.

The cliff top at Symonds Yat Rock provided a good vantage point for its Iron age inhabitants, they built a fort here that is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument.  Ongoing tree and vegetation management is designed to minimise the damage to the 2500 year old hillfort defences and to allow visitors to fully appreciate the site by improving its settings.

Recent Access improvement work carried out at the main viewpoint is part of the 'Overlooking the Wye' Landsape Partnership Scheme, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  For further information about the scheme please contact Sue Middleton, Overlooking the Wye Scheme Manager on 01600 891525.

Access to the River Wye and facilities at Symonds Yat East can be gained by using the steep flight of steps and unsurfaced path from near Symonds Yat Log Cabin.

 

How to get there:

Symonds Yat Rock is in Wye Valley Woods which is part of Wye Valley.
From the A40 at Monmouth take the A4136 towards Gloucester. At the Pike House crossroads turn left and proceed into Christchurch, take the B4432 left hand fork opposite the church and follow the signposts to Symonds Yat Rock.
Coleford is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: SO564160
For details of public transport visit http://www.transportdirect.info

Other places to go in Wye Valley Woods

User Comments

2 Stars 2 Stars

The location and view is breathtaking and well worth a visit! The reason for the poorer rating being the distinct lack of signs for the coloured trails!

Anonymous, 27/Oct/2011
5 Stars 5 Stars

it was amazing for a first time at rapids scary as long as you watch out for the tourist who know nothing about how to control he canoe it great

josie, 25/Jan/2010
5 Stars 5 Stars

I went to Biblins Youth Campsite in 2006/07 and I climbed with a group of Students to the Top of Symonds Yat. The View was breathtaking and it has given me an idea to write a Story set in Wye Vally

Robert Simons, 26/Nov/2009
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View of the Wye valley from Symonds Yat Rock

Facilities and Activities

ToiletsParking ChargeInformationEasy AccessRefreshmentsForest ShopOther Facilities
WalkingEducationalOther ActivitiesHeritageView Point
Refreshments

Refreshment cabin will be open:

Easter to Sept - Daily 10am-5pm(5.30pm on weekends) All weather permitting

Other Facilities

Parking charge is £3.00 per day Nov - Feb and £3.50 Mar - Oct. This ticket is valid on the day of purchase at Mallards Pike Lake, Symonds Yat Rock, Cannop Cycle Centre and Beechenhurst Lodge. Discovery passes are available for £20.00 (£25.00 from 1 April 2012) from the Forestry Commission office - tel 01594 833057, Forest Connections at Beechenhurst Lodge, Cannop Cycle Centre or on line (see link) The pass covers free car parking on all four sites for one year.

Walking
Symonds Yat Trail
Mailscot Wood Trails
Educational
Educational activities can be arranged through our ranger service.
Other Activities
Site barrier locked at 5.00pm

Contact:

Forest Of Dean Recreation Ranger
01594 833057
e-mail: dean@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

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