Wye Valley and Area

Ross-on-Wye is the only town that actually lies within the AONB and it also forms an approximate boundary between the two very different types of landscape that predominate in the valley. To the north of the town the river meanders slowly over the lowlands of Herefordshire. The undulating sometimes steep wooded slopes around the villages of Woolhope, Fownhope, Mordiford and Brockhampton changes to a more gentle flood plain of rich agricultural land as it approaches the town of Ross-on-Wye.

To the South of Ross-on-Wye the scenery changes again into the spectacular and famous landscape of the Wye Gorge that stretch from the village of Goodrich all the way to Chepstow. The dramatic limestone cliffs of Symonds Yat tower above the river as it meanders through the steep wooded slopes of the narrow gorge and forms a huge horseshoe bend almost five miles long. Extensive woodlands cover the slopes and cliffs that surround the river and you can find some impressive viewpoints along the course of the river as it passes through Redbrook, Brockweir, Llandogo and Tintern on its way to the cliffs of Wintour's Leap and its tidal lower reaches.

Golfers are excellently catered for, with no less than 18 courses in the area, including the prestigious Celtic Manor Resort, where the Wentwood Hills course will be the host for the Ryder Cup in 2010.

Fans of the great outdoors will not be disappointed either. There are two national trails, and over 1000 miles of public paths a varying difficulty by meandering rivers, gentle hills, or the rugged Black Mountains. And if you have chance to relax a little why not try some local, homegrown produce in the local farmers markets, which feature closely in the wide variety of superior restaurants in the region.