The lower reaches of the River Wye are designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty (although this is now known by the rather more boring title of a ‘National Landscape’). The deeply wooded gorge is best seen from the river.
Wye Valley cruises run 40 minute boat tips along the valley from their base on the west bank at Symonds Yat Leisure Park. Trips are in a covered water bus with a few outside sets at the rear. There was a brief commentary during the trip.
The trip begins going upstream. The gorge is left behind and the valley is a lot flatter.
There were glimpses of the C13th St Dubricius Church between the trees. This has its own landing stage and originally the congregation would have arrived by boat.
Beyond here, the river becomes too shallow for boats, so we turned round heading back downstream towards the Wye Gorge.
The houses of Symonds Yat West can be seen climbing up the side of the gorge. The Old Ferrie Boat Inn on the banks of the river dates back to the C15th and is one of the oldest inns on the river. There are no bridges across this stretch of the river and the hand drawn ferries known as Ponts provided an essential service carrying people, livestock and goods. Of the 25 ferries that operated on the river, only two remain. This is one of them. Affectionately named The Frog, the ferry service is still running, taking foot passengers across the river to a set of steps on the far side.
Travelling further down the gorge, the larger settlement of Symonds Yat East comes into view on the opposite bank.
A ‘rival’ company, Kingfisher Cruises operates from here. The Saracens Head Inn runs the other ferry service across the river from here.
High above is the pink ‘Swiss Chalet’ which was originally a fishing lodge assembled from a flat pack brought from Switzerland a hundred years ago. It became famous after featuring in the Netflix show ‘Sex Education’.
Further down the gorge, Longstone Rock becomes visible. This is a tall detached limestone pinnacle popular with rock climbers.
Lower down are the rapids, popular with kayakers. This is the lower turning point for the trip back to Symonds Yat Leisure Park.
The website comments ‘Leaping salmon, peregrine falcons and mink are all regularly sighted, although our local otters are a little more elusive!’ We didn’t see any during the trip, although there was a brief glimpse of an egret.
There were also a lot of trees with impressive bunches of mistletoe.
I enjoyed the trip, it was relaxing and particularly the scenery with the autumn colours, even on a dull and rather dreary afternoon.
However, be warned, mid week in September, the Leisure Park was deserted apart from our coach party. Everywhere was shut and only a shack serving coffee in plastic cups was open. There was a definite end of season feel to the place. There is a huge caravan and camping site, a lot of (closed) eateries and a (closed) gifty type shop. All in all a waste of time and a bit tacky.
website
Wye Valley cruises run 40 minute boat tips along the valley from their base on the west bank at Symonds Yat Leisure Park. Trips are in a covered water bus with a few outside sets at the rear. There was a brief commentary during the trip.
The trip begins going upstream. The gorge is left behind and the valley is a lot flatter.
There were glimpses of the C13th St Dubricius Church between the trees. This has its own landing stage and originally the congregation would have arrived by boat.
Beyond here, the river becomes too shallow for boats, so we turned round heading back downstream towards the Wye Gorge.
The houses of Symonds Yat West can be seen climbing up the side of the gorge. The Old Ferrie Boat Inn on the banks of the river dates back to the C15th and is one of the oldest inns on the river. There are no bridges across this stretch of the river and the hand drawn ferries known as Ponts provided an essential service carrying people, livestock and goods. Of the 25 ferries that operated on the river, only two remain. This is one of them. Affectionately named The Frog, the ferry service is still running, taking foot passengers across the river to a set of steps on the far side.
Travelling further down the gorge, the larger settlement of Symonds Yat East comes into view on the opposite bank.
A ‘rival’ company, Kingfisher Cruises operates from here. The Saracens Head Inn runs the other ferry service across the river from here.
High above is the pink ‘Swiss Chalet’ which was originally a fishing lodge assembled from a flat pack brought from Switzerland a hundred years ago. It became famous after featuring in the Netflix show ‘Sex Education’.
Further down the gorge, Longstone Rock becomes visible. This is a tall detached limestone pinnacle popular with rock climbers.
Lower down are the rapids, popular with kayakers. This is the lower turning point for the trip back to Symonds Yat Leisure Park.
The website comments ‘Leaping salmon, peregrine falcons and mink are all regularly sighted, although our local otters are a little more elusive!’ We didn’t see any during the trip, although there was a brief glimpse of an egret.
There were also a lot of trees with impressive bunches of mistletoe.
I enjoyed the trip, it was relaxing and particularly the scenery with the autumn colours, even on a dull and rather dreary afternoon.
However, be warned, mid week in September, the Leisure Park was deserted apart from our coach party. Everywhere was shut and only a shack serving coffee in plastic cups was open. There was a definite end of season feel to the place. There is a huge caravan and camping site, a lot of (closed) eateries and a (closed) gifty type shop. All in all a waste of time and a bit tacky.
website