Fabulous
Weekend Breaks in The Wye Valley
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.
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
- Newland, Gloucestershire
- https://woofieldaccommodation.com/
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.
- Brockweir, Wye Valley
- https://owlsnesthideout.co.uk/
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
- Coleford, Gloucestershire
- https://www.wyevalleyretreat.co.uk
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 £450pn.
- St. Brivales, Wye Valley
- https://hudnallshideout.co.uk/
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.
- Clearwell, Forest of Dean
- https://tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk/
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.
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.
LUXURY TREEHOUSE
Probably the fairest treehouse of them all?
This is Hudnalls Hideout, a place to come to rest your soul amongst the trees.
TIMBER BARN
Beautiful timber barn for dog-loving families
Quirky self-catering barn conversion home to 19th-century wood timbers and 20th-century luxe.
WOODLAND CABINS
5 hidden away stays in the Forest of Dean
Tucked away near ancient trees or set down in lush wildflower meadows.
Read more
VINTAGE GLAMPING
Vintage vans for retro feels
Four vintage vans – Monty, Sybil, Gertie, Elsie – that make an uber sweet glamping stay.
Read more
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.
Read moreEPIC 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.
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.
- Monmouthshire, Wales
- https://whitecastlevineyard.com/
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.
- Monmouth, Wye Valley
- https://www.thewhitebrook.co.uk/
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.
- Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
- https://blackgrouse.co.uk/
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.
- Monmouthshire, Wales
- https://silvercircledistillery.com/
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!
- Abergavenny, UK
- https://www.angelabergavenny.com/
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.
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.
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!
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.