The Wye Valley is a Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB for short) in England and Wales. The river meanders through the counties Gloucestershire and Herefordshire (England) and Monmouthshire (Wales). The AONB is located between the cities Hereford and Chepstowbut which are not within the limits. The reserve was awarded in 1971 and covers a 115 km / 72 mi long section of the river. The status of an AONB is similar to that of a national park.
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background
history
The Wye Valley has had a long and varied history. The traces of human settlement go back to the Stone Age. In and near the Arthur’s Cave (Symonds Yat) and St Peter’s Cave (Chepstow), the bones of woolly mammoths and flint tools were discovered. The Harold’s Stones (Trellech), for example, come from the Bronze Age. The first indications of industrial use of the region have been received from the time of the Roman occupation of Britain. Iron and coal were mined. Just outside the AONB in Clearwell in the Forest of Dean you can visit the Clearwell Caves (see sights).
Territorial quarrels left their mark for over 1,000 years. In the 8th century, the Anglo-Saxon King Offa began building an earth wall on the English side of the valley to protect his kingdom of Mercia from the Welsh. 1066 after the conquest of England by the Normans, William the Conqueror appointed three of his followers to be lords and gave them lands on the border with Wales. They had the task of securing the border, but were allowed to expand their property in the direction of Wales. Numerous simple fortifications were built from mounds of earth with wooden palisades. After the subjugation of the Welsh by King Edward II from around 1270 and the regular uprisings of the Welsh, imposing stone castles were built, e.g. in Chepstow, Goodrich and Raglan.
300 years ago Chepstow was a busy port and the Wye Valley was home to heavy industry. The area was one of the first in England to be industrialized. There was plenty of water, wood and coal here. Special flat-bottomed sailing ships called "trows" sailed from Hereford via Chepstow to Bristol. Paper mills, wire-making factories and foundries were set up along the river. Ships were also built, oak bark was traded for Irish tanneries and other local products such as cider and hops. Men called "bow hauliers" carried wooden harnesses and were "hired" to pull the "trows" through the shallow water. With the opening of the Wye Valley Railway in 1876, trading on the river ended. Today the railroad no longer exists either. Nature has long since reclaimed the abandoned industrial sites, and commercial tourism on the Wye was initiated by Dr. John Egerton, pastor of St. Mary's Church in Ross-on-Wye. He designed his own boat in 1745. The boat had a roof under which the visitors were protected from the elements and could enjoy the beauty of the landscape undisturbed by the weather. The idea was quickly adopted and in 1808 already 8 boats from Ross, Monmouth and Chepstow drove visitors across the river. One of these visitors was Reverend William Gilpin in 1770, who described his experiences under the somewhat confused title “Observations on the River Wye and Several Parts of South Wales etc., relative chiefly to Picturesque Beauty ”- the first travel guide. His work was a resounding success and encouraged his contemporaries to tour the Wye. So it was probably Dr. Egerton's humble desire to make people aware of the beauty of the area, along with Gilpin's guide who gave birth to tourism in Britain.
landscape
The Wye (Welsh: Afon Gwy) is one of the longest rivers in Great Britain at 215 km (134 mi). Its source is on the Plynlimon, the highest point in the Cambrian Mountains, Wales. It flows into the Severn Estuary near Chepstow. The river forms the border between England and Wales between Monmouth and the estuary.
The Wye forms the second largest tidal river system in the world. From Chepstow near the mouth of the Severn to 13 mi / 21 km upriver Bigsweir Bridge, the effects are visible. At low tide, the water reveals sheer banks of mud. This phenomenon can be seen very well from the bridge in Chepstow or at Wintour's Leap. Within a very short time the calm, clear water turns brown and foamy. Behind Ross-on-Wye, the river has carved a deep gorge into the limestone over the millennia. The rock walls rise steeply and overgrown with dense deciduous forests. The steepest cliffs, which are almost vertical, are made of limestone and are found between Tintern and Chepstow.
Flora and fauna
The Wye Valley is known for its biodiversity. Within the AONB there are also areas that are also protected as SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest, e.g. Croes Robert Wood SSSI) or as nature reserves (e.g. Lancaut Nature Reserve, Coppett Hill Nature Reserve or White Rocks and King Arthur’s Cave).
flora
Forest
The steep slopes of the Wye Gorge are densely forested. Around 26% of the area of the AONB consists of mixed forests, including oak, beech, ash and linden trees. In spring, the forest floor is covered with a carpet of bluebells, wood anemones and wild garlic. In some places there are orchid species such as heavy-leaved forest birds, avian orchids and orchids. You can also find mosses, lichens and mushrooms. The unusual plants include: Whitebeam Sorbus anglica (mountain ash species), service berries and Turkish lily.
fauna
Amphibians
Amphibians such as common frogs, common toads, newts, crested newts and pond newts live in the wetlands
Birds
Along and on the river you can see kingfishers, gray herons, swans, dippers and various species of ducks. Typical inhabitants in the forest are woodpeckers, blackcap, nuthatch, tailed tit and pied flycatcher. Birds of prey that live here include the peregrine falcon, goshawk and buzzard
Mammals
Many mammals also inhabit the forests and meadows near the river. In the forests you can find game (fallow deer, roe deer, muntjak deer), foxes, polecats, wild boars and dormice.
The gray squirrels are widespread, but unfortunately they are to blame for the significant decline in the actually native red squirrels due to the transmission of diseases. The otters are rare, but can be discovered by the river with a lot of luck. The water vole (a genus of the vole) also lives near the water.
In addition, the bats little horseshoe bat and great horseshoe bat live in the AONB.
Reptiles
Four of the six reptiles living in the UK are native to the Wye Valley: the slow worm, adder, grass snake and mountain lizard.
places
- 1 Goodrich (England): The imposing ruins of Goodrich Castle are just outside the town.
- 1 Ross on Wye (England): The only city within the ANOB
- 2 Symonds Yat (England): Small town with the special feature that, because of its location on both banks of the Wye, it is in two counties. Starting point for hikes to the Yat Rock lookout point and the woods.
- 2 Tintern (Wales): Cistercian monks settled here in the solitude of the Wye Valley, an imposing monastery in the Gothic style was built. Today the ruin is a popular sight.
- 3 Trellech (also Trelleck, Wales): The now sleepy village was a large settlement in the Middle Ages. At the edge of the village are the three menhirs Harold’s Stones, they were erected in the Bronze Age. In the Church of St Nicholas, the stones are depicted on a remarkable sundial from 1698.
Just outside the AONB:
- 4 Chepstow (Cas-gwent, Wales):
The town is near the mouth of the Wye and the Severn. The main attraction is Chepstow Castle. The city wall, the so-called Port Wall, is still very well preserved. The Welsh Grand National Race is held on the outskirts of the city; Caerwent Roman Town, Tintern Abbey are nearby
- 5 Hereford (Henffordd, England): The cathedral city of Hereford is located on the River Wye just 25 km east of the Anglo-Welsh border. The Mappa Mundi (a medieval map of the world on calfskin) is kept in the cathedral, more precisely in its library. Also worth seeing are the old Wye Bridge, the Old House (built in 1621, now a museum).
- 3 Gloucester (England): Gloucester is located on the banks of the River Severn, in the immediate vicinity are the AONB’s Cotswolds and Malvern Hills as well as the Forest of Dean. After the Reformation, the monastery was elevated to a cathedral, and many buildings from the Middle Ages and Tudor times have been preserved. The Gloucester Docks have been redeveloped and the former warehouses now house the Waterway Museum.
- 4 Monmouth (Trefynwy, Wales): The place, which has many listed buildings, is located at the confluence of the River Mannow in the Wye. The medieval bridge with a massive gate in the middle is a rarity. Monmouth Castle rises above the Mannow. Part of the castle now houses the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers Museum.
Tourist information
- 1 TIC, Castle Car Park, Bridge Street, Chepstow, NP16 5EY. Tel.: 44 (0)1291 623772, Email: [email protected]. Open: Easter to October daily 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., October to Easter daily 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- 2 TIC, The Shire Hall, Agincourt Square, Monmouth, NP25 3DY. Tel.: 44 (0)1600 775257, Email: [email protected].
- 3 Visit Herefordshire, Discover Herefordshire Center, 1 King Street, Hereford, HR4 9BW. Tel.: 44 (0)1432 268430, Email: [email protected]. Open: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
climate
As in the rest of Great Britain, it has a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. In interaction with the slopes, a microclimate is created directly in the river valley, so that it is warmer than the surrounding area.
getting there
By plane
- Bristol (Chepstow approx. 44 km, Hereford approx. 111 km) is served by Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg and Munich, among others.
- Cardiff (Chepstow approx. 75 km, Hereford approx. 116 km) is served by, among others, Düsseldorf and Amsterdam Schiphol.
- London Heathrow (Chepstow approx. 180 km, Hereford approx. 207 km) is served from Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Munich and Stuttgart, among others.
- Birmingham (Chepstow approx. 152 km, Hereford approx. 102 km) is served by, among others, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg and Munich.
By bus
- Chepstow: Route 201 South Wales (Gatwick - Swansea), stops in Bristol and at Heathrow and Gatwick airports
- Chepstow: Route 508 West Wales (London Victoria Coach Station - Haverfordwest)
- Chepstow: Route 509 (London Victoria Coach Station - Cardiff Bus Station)
- Hereford: Route 444 (London Victoria Coach Station - Hereford Country Bus Station), stops in Ross on Wye, among others
In the street
- From Bristol via the M4 or M48, the two bridges over the Severn are toll roads (cars £ 6.50, payment: cash, all major credit cards, as of July 2015).
- From Hereford on the A49 to Ross on Wye
- From Cardiff via the M4, change to the M48, Junction 2 on to Chepstow
By boat
- Dover (Chepstow approx. 335 km, Hereford approx. 362 km) From Calais with DFDS, P&O orMy Ferry Link as Dunkerque With DFDS.
Fees / permits
Access to the Wye Valley is free of charge. Parking spaces in places, at starting points for popular hikes or at sights are partially chargeable. Additional costs arise from admissions.
mobility
On foot
There are tons of public footpaths in the Wye Valley. Signage is very good near places that are heavily trafficked (e.g. at Tintern or Symonds Yat). Since the Wye Valley was washed deep into the rocks, it is often steep uphill and downhill. Information on right of way can be found in the article England under mobility.
Pedestrian ferries
At Symonds Yat there are two cable ferries that can accommodate up to 12 people if necessary. Bicycles are also taken.
By car
The AONB Wye Valley is well developed. There is enough parking space (for a fee) near the sights.
Tourist Attractions
Right on the river
- 5 Goodrich Castle (England)
Goodrich Castle towers imposing 35 m above the Wye and watches over an ancient crossing of the river. In the middle of the 12th century the stone fortress was rebuilt and a massive 3-storey keep was built. Although most of the castle was renovated by the Earls of Pembroke in the late 13th century, the keep remained. The entrance was doubly protected by a barbican and a gatehouse. The round towers at three of the corners stand on angular bases that anchor them to the rocky subsoil. This makes it difficult to undermine. The castle was partially destroyed during the civil war.
- 6 Chepstow Castle (Wales) The great Norman castle at Chepstow is perched on a cliff above the Wye. It is arguably the oldest surviving stone-built fortress in Great Britain. It was built from 1067 by the Norman Lord William FitzOsbern, who later became Lord of Hereford. Chepstow Castle is the southernmost in a series of castles that have sprung up along the Anglo-Welsh border.
- 7 Tintern Abbey (Abaty Tyndyrn, Wales)
Tintern Abbey is now one of the most popular attractions in the Wye Valley. It was founded in 1131 for a Cistercian order, the famous ruin of the church dates from the 14th century. The monks led a peaceful, secluded life on the Welsh bank for over 400 years until the men of King Henry VIII Abbot Wyche summoned on September 3, 1536 to hand over the abbey to the crown.
Viewpoints
- 8 Wintour's Leap (English page) 61 m (200 ft) high cliff above a curve of the Wye with sweeping views. Several places with great views along the hiking trail. From up here you can easily watch the tides change in a small bay opposite.
DANGER: There are no barriers and it goes straight down.
Accessible:
From the B4228 at Woodcroft. Limited parking at the roadside. Diagonally across from "The Old Saw Pit", follow the signs Public Footpath / Offa's Dyke Path.
- 9 Eagle's Nest (between Chepstow and Tintern, Welsh side)
From here one looks over the Lancaut Nature Reserve, in the distance the Severn can be seen.
Accessible:
To get to the lookout point you have to follow the A 466 from the racecourse in Chepstow towards Tintern. In the woods is the Lower Wyndcliff Car Park. From here 365 steps lead up. Turn right at the top, the Eagle’s Nest is signposted
- 10 Devil's Pulpit (at Tintern, English page)
Devil’s Pulpit is a narrow kaklstone pillar on the edge of the Wye Gorge. There is a beautiful view of Tintern Abbey and the river from here.
Access:
Cross the footbridge at Abbey Mill and follow the path to the right. Then turn left between two metal posts and go steeply uphill. It follows a straight stretch, then it goes up further. Look out for a stone with the inscription "Devil’s Pulpit", turn left and follow the uneven path, cross the forest path and continue uphill. Once you have reached Offa's Dyke Path, turn right, it's about 0.5 mi to Devil's Pulpit.
Access from "The Park" car park on the B 4228 is less strenuous
- 11 Yat rock (at Symonds Yat, English page) Yat Rock offers a panoramic view of the Wye. The lookout point is 120 m above the river. Good place to watch the peregrine falcons that live here again.
Accessible:
A footpath leads from the paid parking lot to the lookout point. One can also hike up from Saracens Head in Symonds Yat East. The way is signposted.
nature
- 12 Cleddon Shoots (waterfall), southwest of Llandogo. Can be sparse after a long period of drought and spectacular after rainfall. Accessible via several paths (including the Wye Valley Walk) from Llandodgo. The waterfall is also called Cleddon Falls.Open: Accessible at any time, only accessible on foot.
- 13 Lancaut Nature Reserve, Near the village of Woodcroft on the B4228 at Chepstow. The Lancaut Nature Reserve lies in a loop of the Wye and consists of several areas: the river with its banks, the steep rocky cliffs (Wintour’s Leap) and forests. Countless different and sometimes rare plants can be found here (e.g. long-leaved forest bird, service tree and woolly snowball). The forests are populated by dormice and the rare stone pecker snail. On and in the river you can see cormorants, gray herons and goosander. With a lot of luck you can spot otters here. The limestone cliffs provide the habitat for various birds of prey (kestrels, peregrine falcons) and ravens. Within the bend of the river was the village of Lancaut. Today almost nothing is left of the village, with the exception of the ruins of the 12th century Church of St James.Open: Accessible without restrictions.
- 14 Coppett Hill Nature Reserve, at Goodrich. Open: Accessible without restrictions, only accessible on foot or by mountain bike. It is best to use the Goodrich Castle car park.
The reserve consists of mixed forest and hills. It has an extensive variety of animals and plants. It is home to butterflies, deer, foxes and various forest birds. In spring, bluebells grow here, which then cover the forest floor. Wild orchids, cowslips and a variety of mushrooms also grow here. Coppett Hill offers sweeping views of the Brecon Beacons, Clee Hills and Malvern Hills. Part of the reserve can be seen from Yat Rock. The Wye Valley Walk runs along the edge of the Coppett Hill Nature Reserve.
- 15 King Arthur’s Cave Nature Reserve, In Lord’s Wood at Symonds Yat West. The sanctuary is on both sides of the cave. In a north-westerly direction there is an old mixed forest. In the east there was an industrial site, today birch and willow trees grow here. King Arthur’s Cave, which is not part of the sanctuary, is also accessible. Children can explore the cave with a flashlight.Open: Without restrictions and only accessible on foot.
Somewhat away from the river
Three castles (Wales)
The so-called Three Castles include the castles White Castle, Skenfrith Castle and Grosmont Castle. The castles secured important roads between Hereford and Monmouth in the Middle Ages and were subordinate to a lord.
- 16 White Castle, At Llantilio Crossenny (to be reached via a side road that branches off the B4233), limited parking on the road. White Castle stands on a low hill near the village of Llantilio Crosseney. The origins of the castle go back to 1070. The simple building changed hands several times in the period that followed. Constable Ralph de Grosmont had a keep and the curtain wall of the inner castle built around 1186. The core castle was expanded from 1263 onwards. The keep was demolished, the entrance relocated and the mighty round towers erected. The gate was secured with double towers. The old entrance was located south of the main castle and was secured by a moat and earth walls. In the north is the "new" outer bailey, built in the 13th century, which is surrounded by a dry moat. Your curtain wall is secured by 4 towers. After the conquest of Wales by Edward I and the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffud, the castles no longer had any military significance. In 1404/05 the castle was briefly involved in the rebellion of Owain Glyndwr. After that, it was no longer used and began to deteriorate.Open: April 1 to November 2, Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Price: Adults £ 3.00, Children £ 2.25 (up to 16 years), free under 5.
- 17 Skenfrith Castle, In the middle of the village of Skenfrith. Skenfrith Castle (Castell Ynysgynwraidd) stands in the middle of the village of the same name on the banks of the Mannow River. Around 1160, King Heinrich II had the first castle built. In 1187 Ralph de Grosmont received the order to convert it into a stone fortress. Construction work was stopped just a year later and the castle was no longer seen as important. From 1201 onwards Skenfrith changed hands several times and from 1219 on it was worked on again. A flood soon put an end to the work. The complex consists of a circular wall that encloses an irregular square and is secured by round corner towers. The gatehouse is almost completely destroyed. In the castle courtyard stands the round donjon, built around 1230, on an artificially created mound of earth. The castle was fought over for the last time in 1404/05 and then left to decay. The Church of St Bridget, located near the castle, is also worth seeing. Most of it dates from the 14th century. The mighty tower is crowned by a pyramid-shaped wooden dovecote. Inside you can see some interesting pieces of furniture, e.g. the John Morgan Tomb or the Box Pews.Open: Accessible at any time, street parking.Price: free entry.
- 18 Grosmont Castle, Grosmont, Monmouthshire, NP7 8EP. Tel.: 44 1443 336000. Grosmont Castle is the third castle in the Three Castles. The name Grosmont is derived neither from Welsh nor from English, but from Norman: the place translates as "Great Hill". In the early 13th century Herbert de Burgh had a stone castle built in Grosmont, replacing the wooden predecessor. The Great Hall and the curtain wall with its semicircular towers were created. During the 14th century the buildings around the courtyard were renewed. These were now suitable as living space for the noble household. The south-west tower was rebuilt, with comfortable apartments on the three floors. The north tower was demolished to make way for two rectangular residential buildings. The large octagonal chimney was the outlet for the chimneys of these buildings. Only sparse remains of this building have survived today. The castle was last involved in military action in 1404/05, during the Welsh revolt led by Owain Glyn Dwr. The following year the Welsh returned, besieged the castle and were defeated by the English. After that, the castle was no longer used as a residence and began to deteriorate.Open: daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Price: free entry.
- 19 St. Briavels Castle (England) The small, red sandstone castle in St. Briavels dates from the 12th century. It was the residence of the gamekeeper of the Royal Forest of Dean, who protected the king's game. The castle is also known as King John's Hunting Lodge. King Edward II had the impressive gatehouse with the twin towers built in 1292 to protect the crossbow and arrow workshop within the walls. In the 15th century the Welsh were subdued and the castle lost its importance. It was used as a debtors' prison until 1842. Today the gatehouse is a youth hostel.
- 20 Raglan Castle, Raglan, NP15 2BT (located directly on the A40). Tel.: 44 (0)1291 690228. The current castle was built between the 15th and early 17th centuries by various members of the Herbert and Seymour families. A two-part building complex was created. One part is the hexagonal keep, which has its own moat and could be defended separately. You can still climb up today and enjoy the view over the landscape. The other part of the castle consists of the luxurious residential buildings. The ruins of various buildings, including the Great Hall, divide the interior into the Fountain Court and the Pitched Stone Court.Open: November 1, 2015 to February 29, 2016 Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 1 to June 30, daily 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 1 to August 31, daily 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. , September 1st to October 31st daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Price: Adults £ 4.50, Children £ 3.40 (up to 16 years), free under 5.
- 21 Clearwell Caves, Clearwell, at Coleford, Royal Forest of Dean, GL16 8JR. Tel.: 44 (0)1594 832535, Email: [email protected]. Open: February 13th to November 2nd, 2016.Price: Adults £ 6.50, Children £ 4.50.
- 22 Harold’s Stones, on the outskirts of Trellech, Chepstow Road (B 4293). The Harold's Stones (Meini Harold) are on the outskirts of Trellech (Tri = three and Llech = flat stone) on a meadow near a stream. This was probably one of the reasons for choosing the location. The large menhirs (2.70, 3.70, and 4.60 m) inclined in different directions are set up in a 12 m long row from northeast to southwest. It was assumed that there was a connection with the winter solstice, as so-called "cup marks" also point in this direction. The stones are made of conglomerate, at least half of which consists of pebbles. This rock can be found on nearby Beacon Hill. The Harold's Stones were erected in the middle to late Neolithic.Open: Accessible at any time.
- Offa's Dyke. To hike on the Offa’s Dyke Path, see "Activities". The section within the Wye Valley runs from Chepstow to Monmouth. The Offa's Dyke is easy to see near the Devil's Pulpit above Tintern. Offa’s Dyke stretches from the Wye Valley in the south to the Dee Valley in the north and almost follows the border between England and Wales. Built by Offa, who ruled from AD 757-97, the rampart served as the boundary between his powerful and prosperous Kingdom of Mercia to the east and the pesky Welsh tribes to the west. The Offa’s Dyke is still clearly visible today over a length of 112 km / 70 mi. The wall was built in peacetime, it was too big and long to be defended. After 12 centuries it is still 15 m / 50 ft high in places from the bottom of the western trench to the top of the rampart. Little is known about the reign of King Offa, but what is certain is that he ruled much of England (from the English Channel to the Humber). He called himself "The King of the English" and "Kaiser". During his reign, the first silver pennies, dated and bearing a portrait of the king, were introduced.
activities
hike
Long distance routes:
- Offa's Dyke Path: starts at Chepstow and stretches for 150 mi / 240 km and still forms most of the border between England and Wales today. It begins at Sedbury Cliffs below Chepstow and runs through the Welsh Marches (as the border country is called) to the coast in Prestatyn.
- Wye Valley Walk: also starts in Chepstow and follows the River Wye to Plynlimon for 136 mi / 218 km.
Excursion boats and canoe rental
Excursion boats leave Symonds Yat, there is also the possibility of renting canoes (information on this can be found in the local article).
- 1 Monmouth Activity Center, Castle Yard, Old Dixton Road, Monmouth NP25 3DP,. Tel.: 44 (0)1600 716083, Email: [email protected]. Open: Office hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.Price: See website for price list (from £ 32.00 half day, 2 person canoe).
- 2 Wye pursuits, Riverside House, Kerne Bridge, HR9 5QX (on the B 4234). Tel.: 44 (0)1600 891199, Email: [email protected]. Price: see website for price list (from £ 24.00 half day, 2 person canoe).
- 3 Hereford Canoe Hire, Lucksall Park, at Mordiford, Herefordshire HR1 4LP. Tel.: 44 7846 966543. Price: Tours: Half day £ 45.00, full day £ 55.00, multiple days per day and canoe £ 55.00.
shop
Food
Large supermarkets can be found in Chepstow, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth. You can get little things in the mini markets at petrol stations, e.g. on the A40.
Generally
If you want to have a variety of shopping opportunities, are looking for something special or have to bridge a rainy day, the Gloucester Quays Outlet in Gloucester or Hereford at.
Souvenirs, souvenirs, books, maps and sometimes also handicrafts are available from the CADW (e.g. in Tintern) and English Heritage (e.g. Goodrich Castle) shops.
kitchen
Many restaurants and pubs source the ingredients for their dishes from the region. The Wye Valley is good for growing asparagus, rhubarb and blueberries. Herefordshire is a rural area known as the 'Orchard' and is also where hops and cider are grown.
dishes
- Wye Valley Pie: is made with asparagus, potatoes, leek and chicken breast.
- Double Gloucester: The medium-hard cheese made from cow's milk has to mature for several months
- Gloucester Cheese & Ale: the thinly sliced cheese is placed in a flat baking dish, coated with mustard and then poured with brown ale. After baking, the mass comes on toast.
- Fish: salmon and eel, among others, live in the mouth of the Severn and its tributaries. Young eels are served in the Elvers Cake.
Family businesses
- Cheese: on the Lower Gockett Fram in Trelleck, cheese made from sheep and cow's milk is offered.
- Wye Valley Brewery: The family business brews different types of ale and please
- Various small businesses offer fruit juices or ciders, including Cleeve Orchard Cider and Perry, Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Co Ltd and Ragmans Farm Apple Juice
Events
- Every year in the 3rd week of September there is a food festival in Abergavenny
accommodation
The Wye Valley is well developed for tourism. In most places there are different types of accommodation. See also in the local articles Goodrich,Symonds Yat and Tintern.
Hotels and hostels
- 1 YHA St Briavels Castle, at Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 6RG. E-mail: [email protected]. Open: Check-in: 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Check-out: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.Price: beds from £ 20.00, rooms from £ 82.00, family rooms from £ 69.00.
- 2 YHA Wye Valley, Welsh Bicknor (at Goodrich), Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 6JJ. Tel.: 44 845 371 9666, Email: [email protected]. Open: The youth hostel is open from March 1st to October 31st during the weekends and school holidays, check-in: 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., check-out: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.Price: beds from £ 13.00, rooms from £ 29.00, family rooms from £ 25.00, camping from £ 13.00.
camping
- 3 Forest and Wye Valley Camping Site, Bearse Farm, St Briavels, Gloucestershire, GL15 6QU. Tel.: 44 1594 530777, Email: [email protected]. Der Campingplatz (Wohnwagen und Zelten) liegt zwischen dem Wye Valley und dem Forest of Dean an der B 4228. Bushaltestelle an der Landstraße.Preis: Zwischen £ 20 und 23 pro Platz und Nacht (2 Erwachsene).
- 4 Lucksall Caravan & Camping Park *****, Mordiford, Herefordshire, HR1 4LP. Tel.: 44 1432 870213, Email: [email protected]. Der Campingplatz liegt zwischen dem Wye und der B4224.Preis: Stellplätze: Wohnwagen zwischen £ 23.00 und 29.00, Zelt je nach Größe zwischen £ 20.00 und 34.00.
- 5 Broadmeadow Caravan Park *****, Broadmeadows, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 7BW. Tel.: 44 1989 768076 (9 - 18 Uhr ), Fax: 44 1989 566030, Email: [email protected]. Preis: Stellplatz (Wohnwagen,Zelt) zwischen £ 28.00 und 32.00, zusätzlich £ 7.00 (ab 10 Jahre) bzw. £ 4.00(2-9 Jahre).
security
Auch wenn der Wye deutlich schmaler als die Flüsse auf dem „Festland“ ist, ist er nicht zu unterschätzen. Dies gilt besonders für den Abschnitt zwischen der Mündung und etwa bis zur Bigsweir Bridge (bei Llandogo). Hier ist der Wye tidenabhänigig, die Gezeitenwelle kann eine Höhe von bis zu 2 m erreichen.
Wichtige Telefonnummern
999 ist die Notfallnummer für Polizei, Feuerwehr, Ambulanz sowie Berg-und Höhlenrettung. Auch unter der 112 sind Rettungsteams zu erreichen.
trips
- Llanthony Priory. Die Black Mountains am Rand des Nationalparks Brecon Beacons sind von Tälern durchzogen. Im steilwandigen, durch Gletscher ausgewaschenen Vale of Ewyas gründeten um 1100 Mönche aus Gloucester ein Kloster. Das erste Kloster wurde von den Walisern geplündert, die ihre „normannenlose“ Unabhängigkeit in Gefahr sahen. Ab 1200 wurde es in der Region ruhiger und die Abtei wuchs. Ihre Blütezeit erlebte die Abtei in den 1300er Jahren. 1538 wurde Llanthony während der Reformation von Heinrich VIII. aufgelöst.
Eine sehr schöne Wanderung führt von Llanthony herauf zum Hatterrall Ridge. Der Kamm ist die Grenze zwischen England und Wales, hier verläuft der Offa’s Dyke Path. Es bietet sich ein weitreichender Blick über Herefordshire auf der einen und dem Vale of Ewyas und den Brecon Beacons auf der anderen Seite.
- Brecon Beacons. Nationalpark. Der Nationalpark Brecon Beacons besteht aus den Black Mountains im Osten, der Gebirgskette Brecon Beacons in der Mitte, dem Fforest Fawr (Great Forest) und – um Verwirrung zu stiften – den Black Mountains im Westen. Der Nationalpark ist bei Wanderern, Mountainbikern, Kanuten und Reitern sehr beliebt. Am Rand des Nationalparks verläuft auf einer Hügelflanke der Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, sehenswert auch die Orte Brecon, Abergavenny und Crickhowell.
- Blaenavon. Die Kleinstadt in den walisischen Hügeln wurde im Jahr 2000 wegen ihrer Industriekultur auf die UNESCO-Weltkulturerbeliste aufgenommen. Zu sehen sind u.a. die Blaenavon Ironworks (ein Hochofen) und Big Pit National Coal Museum. Der Ort entwickelte sich rund um die Industriestandorte, es entstanden Einrichtungen für die Arbeiter (Wohnhäuser, Kirche, Schule usw.).
literature
KartenDie folgenden Karten, die zum Wandern und Radfahren geeignet sind, decken das Wye Valley und den Forest of Dean ab. Der Maßstab der Karten ist 1:50.000. Sehenswürdigkeiten sind verzeichnet, in ländlichen Gebieten auch Pubs, Hotels und Campingplätze außerdem Parkplätze. Im Internet und in deutschen Buchhandlungen werden manchmal ältere Auflagen angeboten, direkt beim Verlag bekommt man die aktuellste. Kosten: pro Blatt ca. £ 7.00.
- Hereford & Leominster (Bromyard & Ledbury), Ordnance Survey Landranger, Blatt 149, ISBN 978-0-319-22953-8
- Gloucester & Forest of Dean, Ordnance Survey Landranger, Blatt 162, ISBN 978-0-319-22911-8
- Wer Landkarten im Maßstab 1:25.000 möchte, braucht die entsprechenden Blätter Ordnance Survey Explorer, ca. £ 8.00
Wanderliteratur
- : Herefordshire & the Wye Valley (Leisure Walks for all Ages. JarroldPublishing, ISBN 0-7117-3858-0 ; 80 Seiten. 20 Wanderungen (3.2 km bis 8.8 km), Sprache: englisch, ca. £ 8.00
- : Wye Valley 40 Hill & Riverside Walks. Pocket Mountains, ISBN 978-1-9070250-1-3 ; 95 Seiten. Wanderungen zwischen 2.5 km und 15 km, Sprache: englisch, ca. £ 7.00
- : Welsh Marches 40 Town & Country Walks. Pocket Mountains, ISBN 978-1-907025-18-1 ; 95 Seiten. Länge der Wanderungen zwischen 3 und 16 km, Sprache: englisch, £ 7.00
- : Offa’s Dyke Path. Conrad Stein Verlag, ISBN 978-3-86686-098-8 ; 187 Seiten.
