• Symonds Yat

England The Wye Valley

WEEKEND BREAKS IN

The Wye Valley

Native ancient woodlands, mighty limestones gorges, rich fertile valleys, Michelin-starred restaurants, and the powerhouse that is the stunning Wye River. Welcome to The Wye Valley, friends - where the weekends excite ALL the senses.

WHY WEEKEND IN THE WYE VALLEY?

It's filled with riches

Threading the border between England and Wales, like a green stitch holding the two countries together, is the The Wye Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

This lush, fertile land runs through three beautiful counties: Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire. And snaking its way through the middle for 58 miles, separating Wales from England, is the majestic Wye River – one of the UK’s most beautiful natural rivers.

It was here in the Wye Valley, in the 18th-century, that British tourism was born when artists, writers and poets (Turner, Coleridge and Wordsworth) came to marvel at the landscape.

To this day, the land is rich with romantic appeal. A Wye Valley weekend break is one where you can marvel at castles and iconic ruins, wander ancient forests and byways, play on the wide waters of the river, and sample the flavours of delicious artisan food and drink. 

Dog-friendly and totally under-the-radar, the Wye Valley leaves you richer than before.

Where is the Wye Valley?

GORGEOUS PLACES TO STAY IN THE WYE VALLEY

Oh my, oh Wye

So, what will it be? A cabin in the woods, a riverside lodge, a boutique town house, an award-winning restaurant with rooms, a rockstar hotel or unique self-catering? Not a problem. Want it dog-friendly, family-friendly, hen-friendly and with a hot-tub in tow? Of course. The Wye Valley has a huge selection of places to stay for a weekend break that are as rich and varied as its natural landscape. These are some of our favs.

From £125pn
PEACEFUL VILLAGE LOCATION

Woofield: Elegant and Stylish Dog-Friendly Accommodation in the Forest of Dean

3 beautiful apartments in a lovely Georgian house. Ideal Forest of Dean dog friendly accommodation for a country escape. Sleeps 2 - 10. From £137pn

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From £200pn
Romantic & Sustainable

Beautiful and Peaceful Eco-Cottage in Brockweir, Wye Valley

A beautiful, carefully renovated eco-cottage in Brockweir. Perfect forest sanctuary for 2 adults, with a hot tub. From £xxpn.

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From £175pn 10% OFF (USE WEEKENDCANDY10)
Unique Forest Location

Forest-side holiday cottage in the beautiful Wye Valley: Rowan Tree Retreat

Lovely holiday cottage in the Wye Valley. Backs onto the magnificent Forest of Dean! Dog friendly, large garden, cedar hot tub. Sleeps 4

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From £450pn 10% OFF (USE BANISHTHEBLUES10)
Adults-only

The Hudnalls Hideout: A luxury Wye Valley treehouse that has to been seen to be believed

Unbelievably beautiful, Hudnalls Hideout is a Wye Valley treehouse with a woodland sauna, outdoor bath & bar. Adults only. From £400pn.

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From £129pn
Perfect for 2

Tudor Farmhouse Hotel: An unpretentious retreat in the Forest of Dean

Tudor Farmhouse Hotel sits in the timid village of Clearwell and is a quiet, unpretentious rural boutique hotel for a special weekend break in the Forest of Dean.

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DOG-FRIENDLY CABINS

Roost here: cabins in the forest perfect for lovebirds

Two gorgeous cedar-wood cabins hunkered down in a large meadow in the Forest of Dean.

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SAFARI TENTS

The high life: treetop safari tents on the River Wye

Let your inner Tarzan loose one of these 5 luxury safari tents with stunning riverside views.

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LUXURY TREEHOUSE

Probably the fairest treehouse of them all?

This is Hudnalls Hideout, a place to come to rest your soul amongst the trees.

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TIMBER BARN

Beautiful timber barn for dog-loving families

Quirky self-catering barn conversion home to 19th-century wood timbers and 20th-century luxe.

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WOODLAND CABINS

5 hidden away stays in the Forest of Dean

Tucked away near ancient trees or set down in lush wildflower meadows.

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Gertie-bed-scaled

VINTAGE GLAMPING

Vintage vans for retro feels

Four vintage vans – Monty, Sybil, Gertie, Elsie – that make an uber sweet glamping stay.

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BOUTIQUE GLAMPING

Checking into: Drover's Rest

Our stay at Drover's Rest near Hay-on-Wye

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PUB WITH ROOMS

Riverside inn perfect for a gin after a paddling

The Saracens Head Inn in Symonds Yat is one of our favs after a River Wye paddle.

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EPIC THINGS TO DO IN THE WYE VALLEY

Wye go anywhere else?

You can do just about anything you please in the Wye Valley on a weekend break, whether you crave outdoor adventure or rest and relaxation. There are romantic ruins to wander, the epic river to paddle, as well as many food and drink delights to sample and historic towns to explore. These are some of our favourites to help you Plan A Weekend.

From £15pp
Tried & Tested

White Castle Vineyard: Corking Welsh vineyard tours and award-winning tipples

Head to Monmouthshire to visit White Castle Vineyard, an award-winning vineyard in Wales with tours that are a real corker.

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DB&B from £390
Michelin-Starred Excellence

Foodie Haven: Whitebrook Restaurant with Rooms, Monmouthshire

A one-Michelin-star restaurant with eight bedrooms, The Whitebrook is an exceptional place to stay and eat in the Wye Valley, sitting below a remote wood overlooking its eponymous brook, six miles from Monmouth.

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W/E from £250
Small group adventure

Make a splash! Paddleboarding Camping Adventures on the River Wye

Stand-up paddleboarding expeditions across the UK, from weekend trips with riverside camping to longer explorations of some of Britain’s most beautiful waterways as well as outdoor adventures across the UK including walking tours and navigation weekends.

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From £110
For Gin Lovers

Make Your Own Fabulous Gin in the Welsh Countryside with Silver Circle Distillery

Viva Welsh gin! Nestled in the Wye Valley, the Silver Circle Distillery is a family-run affair with an incredible gin-making experience that's sure to steal any gin lover’s heart. 

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From £34pp
Girly Treat

Dreamy and Award-Winning High Tea at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny

The Angel Hotel in the quaint market town of Abergavenny is one of only 9 hotels in the UK to receive the prestigious ‘Award of Excellence’ from the UK Tea Guild. Aka: the Oscar of the tea world!

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TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN THE WYE VALLEY

Weekend Guides & Itineraries

Looking for more Wye Valley inspiration? Here are our latest guides, stories and itineraries for you to use. Remember, we’re updating content all the time, so keep on checking back for more Wye Valley features. Or sign up for The Weekend Edit to get updates on new content added to the site.

Easy Peasy Weekends

48 hours in Herefordshire

Whether you’re looking for a cycling, canoeing or walking adventure, or you want to kick back with incredible food and a pint of cider under the shade of an apple tree, Herefordshire won’t let you down.

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Easy Peasy Weekends

48 hours in The Wye Valley

The Wye Valley is one the UK's most beautiful destinations with many wonderful things to do. Especially if you like incredible food and drink, dramatic landscapes, and magnificent castles.

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WHY NOT TRY?

Wye River Canoeing: 2 Adventures That Hit the Spots Wordsworth Loved

2 Wye River canoeing trips that take you on the same route loved by England's finest 18th-century artists and poets!

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INSPIRATION

Hay-on-Wye Literature Festival: The Booklover's Glastonbury

The Hay-on-Wye Literature Festival is the McDaddy of the literary calendar - one peek at Hay’s alumni and you soon realise why.

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