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Symonds Yat

Explore Symonds Yat Rock
(Average user rating: 4 unrated 3.7/5)

Admire the picturesque views of the River Wye and surrounding area from this internationally famous viewpoint. Discover the ancient hill fort, spot birds of prey and enjoy a snack from the log cabin cafe.

Fantastic forest trails

From Symonds Yat Rock there are waymarked trails linking to the Forest Holidays campsite, to the River Wye and a choice of circular walks into the forest itself.

Wonderful wildlife

Look out at the nearby cliffs to spot the nesting area of the Peregrine Falcons. You can enjoy watching the birds while they hunt and raise their young from April to August each year.

Ancient hill fort

The cliff top at Symonds Yat Rock provided a good vantage point for its Iron age inhabitants, who built a fort here 2,500 years ago. The site is now a scheduled ancient monument. Ongoing tree and vegetation management is designed to minimise damage to the old hillfort defences.

Overlooking the Wye

Access improvement work carried out at the main viewpoint was part of the 'Overlooking the Wye' Landscape Partnership Scheme, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 

Log cabin cafe

Refreshments are provided by the 1950s built log cabin cafe, with a range of wholesome food including freshly made cakes, sandwiches and simple meals. Please note there is no inside seating area. Contact 01594 834479 for more details.

What do other visitors say?

3 Stars 3 Stars

The location is wonderful, the views are spectacular (especial the Autumn colours) and the wildlife is a treat to observe however ■ You (the Forestry Commission) really need to ensure your markers are adequately and sufficiently strategically marked along the routes as we were following the 'Red' trail only to find at a cross roads, there were no markings apart from a ■Blue■ trail sign and a red arrow sprayed on a tree that was creating confusion to all walkers ■ Was it a sign for the ■Red■ trail or was the tree being cut down?! We; along with other walkers gathering at the same point, ended up confused and at a stand-still asking each other ■which way?■ No one seemed to know despite having a few having maps and we personally ended up walking 3 miles on what we thought was the right track totally in the opposite direction and out of our way! Thank you to the wonderful couple from Reading who were lost too but staying in a nearby lodge and kindly waited and ended up driving us to the Symonds Yat Rock car park to the sanctuary of our awaiting car. You were both kind hearted saviours that are a truly rare breed these days and we were extremely grateful to your kindness ■ thank you. Please Forestry Commission, supply maps for walkers to take along with the walk and frequent signage to avoid getting lost.

Anonymous, 29/Oct/2012
5 Stars 5 Stars

We planned our visit, bought a map and the book "Wye Valley" by Ben Giles. We walked from the Doward Park Campsite, crossing the suspension bridge by Biblins, a lot of fun. We got to the top of Symonds Yat rock on a stunning autumn day and the views were breathtaking. The walkway to the viewpoint is excellent. The cabin is also good, had a great cup of tea and lovely fruitcake, Our first visit but we'll be back in the peregrine season.

Sue Hetherington, 28/Oct/2012
4 Stars 4 Stars

It would be extrememly useful to have the geological information you have on the boards on site on this website I would love to reflect upon it now that I am home, maybe show friends and family. Even better, additional details about the rocks history, natural history and geology. It would also be useful to have a map of the walks on the website, so that people could plan wherther to arrive earlier or later, depending opn their selected walk, maybe print it up to bring with one, to keep as a way of identifying which photo is of what place or again reflect upon one walk.

Robert Guyver, 28/Aug/2012
More user comments

Please tell us about your visit

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Chalara ash dieback

What's Here?

  • Viewpoint
  • Toliets
  • Cafe
  • open for most of the year, apart from December and January.
  • Horse riding
  • The stoned road network is suitable for riding.
  • Ancient Monuments
  • The Iron age hill fort is a schedulaed ancient monument
  • Parking (chargeable)
  • Cars and minibuses:
    £3.50 Mar - Oct
    £3.00 Nov - Feb
    Coaches:
    £10 year round
  • Picnic
  • picnic tables by the cafe and in the main car park
  • Walking
  • Waymarked trails start at Symonds Yat Rock.
More about what's here

Location

OS Grid ref: SO564160

Get directions

Contact

West England District
-
01594 833057
westengland@­forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Opening & Parking

Opening Times:
8am - 5pm
Parking
Cars and minibuses:
£3.50 Mar - Oct
£3.00 Nov - Feb
Coaches:
£10 year round
Discovery Pass
£25 cars
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification certifiedForest Stewardship Council certified