Going for a last minute weekend away with the Mrs.  Can anyone recommend any walks or places to visit please?  (And if anybody knows anywhere we can sleep in the Van cheap/for free on the Friday night even better..!)

Just got back from weekend in Symonds Yat. Can thoroughly recommend walk from the villiage (either side) down to the footbridge at biblins (or something) campsite and cross back on the rope ferry at the villiage. Then enjoy a pint in the village. Couple of hours. The ferry inn (think that’s what it’s called, pub on West Bank north of village) have a good tourist map of the walk. Can extend into the fantastic woodland surrounding. Take a butterfly chart and have a go at IDing them, we had great fun IDing 12 species. Bring swim gear for a dip in river.

Chepstow Castle, Tintern Abbey, Goodrich castle

^ As above, Symonds Yat walk (Ye Old Ferrie Inn, and Saracens Head are the pubs), and Biblins is the camp site you can walk to.

Find a layby or fire road entrance in the FOD to park the van in overnight?

Hello Rich! 👋

Get inappropriately drunk in the Saracen’s…

ICBP Homepage

https://butterflyzoo.co.uk/

http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/raglancastle/?lang=en

If further upstream, there are some good eating options in Glasbury at River Cafe and Foyles. Don’t think there is enough water to bother with canoeing from there down to the Saracens.

Hay on Wye for books and London weekend escapees.

Raglan is a good castle.

Please consider not parking the van over night in a layby in the FoD. it’s beginning to look like Loch Lomond here. It’s also against a Forest bylaw and the FC do sometimes move people on.  Plenty of cheap campsites or ask the pubs if you can stay in their car park.

I’m staying in Symonds Yat (Paddocks Hotel) so will be doing some walking along the river by the sounds of it.  Many thanks all, appreciate the feedback!

Taste and blend yr own cider at Ross Cider Co.  The Yewtree, Peterstow.  Top stuff.

You can camp there too, which is extra-handy when the cider has worked it’s charms 😉

There’s canoeing at the Yat and some great climbing. Snoozing Suzy is brilliantif you can finish late in the afternoon.

Last sunday with the wife and kids…… Parked at the top of Yat rock, down to Saracens head, ferry across the river, up into the woods to explore the caves (mines), along and down to Biblins, picnic and swim in the river, walk back along the river to Saracens head for refreshments, back up the hill wishing we’d parked at the bottom (not really view from top is lovely and parking is less hassle, and free for us with FC FOD discovery pass). Walk can be extended along the river in either direction.