AONB Map Inside_01410 AONB Map Inside 15/04/2014 14:22 Page 1 46 A Wye Valley AONB SPECIAL PLACES The Wye Valley AONB is an internationally important protected landscape containing some of the most beautiful lowland scenery in Britain. Round every Map & Guide corner are special places which contain exceptional viewpoints, a fascinating LYDBROOK heritage and history or stunning landscape features. All walks mentioned can be Lydbrook village is a former industrial settlement on the River downloaded from the Get Active section www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk Wye which had significant tram and rail links to the mineral resources in the Forest of Dean, including a dismantled A viaduct spanning the valley. At one time the valley bottom 4 WOOLHOPE DOME 9 was alive with industry, collieries, tin plate works, wire works An intricate mix of woodland and farmland with a rich mosaic and forges. The area offers the walker some spectacular of ancient oak and mixed woodlands. Species-rich hedgerows, views from the steep slopes. The first commercially viable wildflower meadows, traditional orchards and its own distinct blast furnace in the area was sited here at the beginning of geologys, all support a wealth of wildlife. It is a popular the 17th Century. For several centuries, flat bottomed barges walking destination and the Fownhope Residents Association were loaded at Lower Lydbrook with coal bound for have produced walking leaflets . Hereford upstream. An easy access walk is available online. Woolhope Dome The Wye at Lydbrook CA PLER CAMP AND CAPLER VIEWPOINT REDBROOK Capler Camp, near Fownhope, is an Iron Age hillfort offering extensive Redbrook was at the heart of the views beyond Ross-on-Wye. There is also a viewpoint overlooking the copper and then tinplate industries. river from the car park at the foot of the camp. This is on the Wye Almost all the 19th century houses are Valley Walk and there is also a circular 2 mile stile free walk. linked to millraces, forges or tramroads. Capler View upstream The bridge carried the Wye Valley HOLE IN THE WALL railway linking Wales to England. Cross Some of the most tranquil stretches of the river can be found near this the Bridge and take the Puddingstone riverside settlement. A lovely place to stroll by the river or embark on a and Pubs walk up to Penallt or catch big circular walk over both Foy and Sellack bridges. the No 69 bus over Bigsweir Bridge and walk back along the river. Sellack Bridge Redbrook Bridge ROSS ON WYE BROCKWEIR High on a sandstone cliff, overlooking a large loop in the River Wye is the historic Brockweir, once a dockers’ paradise with a reputation market town of Ross-on-Wye. An attractive town, with Tudor timbered houses clustered around for drunken and riotous behaviour, was a major the striking 17th Century Market Hall. Two key historic residents were John Kyle, who in 1700 shipbuilding community. Today Brockweir is somewhat laid out the Prospect Gardens and clifftop walk, and Rev Dr John Egerton, who in 1745 started more sedate, with a country pub and the Brockweir hosting boat trips down the Wye which became the fashionable Wye Tour. The town has obtained and Hewelsfield Village eco-shop. Below the bridge Walkers are Welcome status and has an annual walking festival. Catch the No 34 bus and follow you can see the preserved remains of Brockweir Quay. the linear Mills,Hills and Manors walk back from Kerne Bridge to Ross on Wye. Brockweir Quay Ross on Wye DUCHESS RIDE, Cuckoo Wood, Llandogo COPPETT HILL This viewpoint, above Llandogo, is on the Wye Valley Walk between Coppett Hill Common is a Local Nature Reserve of over 100 hectares located in the parish of Cleddon Shoots and Pen Y Fan and offers views right down the Wye Goodrich near Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire. It is a mix of woodland and open hillside with a Valley. This was a favourite carriage ride of the Duchess of Beaufort, very wide range of flora and fauna. Permissive paths give access to the reserve as well as from Troy House near Monmouth. The nearby Wordsworth Walk offering marvellous views stretching from the Brecon Beacons to Clee Hill and the Malverns. takes you climbing in the footsteps of William Wordsworth to the The charity Friends of Coppett Hill works to promote and raise funds to help the management Bread and Cheese Stones viewpoint and Cleddon Shoots waterfall. of it and publish a book of local walks. View from Whitestone, near Cleddon Falls Kerne Bridge from Coppett Hill TINTERN AND DEVIL’S PULPIT SYMONDS YAT ROCK Giving spectacular views over Tintern Abbey and the River Wye, Devil’s Yat Rock is well known for its magnificent viewpoint overlooking the beautiful scenery of the Wye Pulpit is a limestone rock jutting out from the cliffs from where (legend has Valley as the river meanders through the gorge. Yat Rock is situated on a heavily wooded limestone it) the devil preached to the monks below, tempting them to desert their outcrop with cliffs 120 metres high, a superb site for the hillfort that occupied the area in the iron order. It is on the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail and is sign-posted from age, now popular with climbers and birdwatchers. It is a well known RSPB site for viewing the Tidenham Chase Forestry Commission car park or accessed from nesting peregrine falcons. A circular walk from Yat Rock to the Little Doward Head for the Tintern over the Wireworks Bridge. In Tintern explore the exquisite Tintern Hillforts explores the history of this iconic Wye Valley landscape. Abbey, fine pubs and cafés. You can also visit Old Station Tintern with its River Wye from Yat Rock railway carriages, café and Destination Wye Valley visitor centre. LITTLE DOWARD View from Devil’s Pulpit An Iron Age hillfort sits on the hill THE ANGIDY VALLEY ∑ above Wyastone Leys. It contains The Angidy Valley above Tintern, was one of the first in the caves, cliffs, industrial and estate River UK to industrialise. Follow the Angidy Trail and discover Cruises heritage including landscaped walks Tintern’s hidden industry, the Abbey Tintern furnace, forge through the ancient woodland. This and wireworks, the workers’ cottages, limekilns, tidal dock Woodland Trust site is home to many King Arthur’s Cave and church where generations of metal workers were species including Fallow deer. During the 20th century the hillfort was lost baptised, married and buried. Imagine the noise and smoke beneath a large conifer plantation. This has now been cleared to protect both in this now tranquil valley when it was a hive of industry! the hillfort and the surrounding ancient woodland. Head for the Hillforts walk The Angidy flowing down to the Wye explores the history of this area including King Arthur’s Cave. The Monmouth end of Little WINTOUR’S LEAP Doward is easily reached on the No 34 bus. Some of the highest inland cliffs in England and Wales are to be found at Wintour’s Leap, named after Sir John Wintour, a Civil war hero who, THE KYMIN, Monmouth according to legend, galloped his horse over the cliff and swam across the Dominating a prominent hill above river to escape the Roundheads. Wonderful views are enjoyed by walkers on Monmouth, the National Trust Offa's Dyke Path National Trail which passes here. The limestone crags are owned roundhouse and its popular with climbers. nine acres of pleasure The River Wye from Wintour’s Leap grounds overlooks Monmouthshire, the PIERCEFIELD WALK Brecon Beacons and the From Chepstow Leisure Centre car park,you can pick up the beautiful Wye Valley. The Kymin is Piercefield Walk which goes along the Wye Valley Walk following The Kymin Roundhouse also home to the unusual Naval the 18th Century trail laid out by the owner of Piercefield Park, Temple. Built by public subscription, it celebrates some of Valentine Morris. Among the attractions for the ‘Wye tourists’ were the greatest British admirals and victories of the time. the Alcove, the Platform, the Grotto, Giant’s Cave, Lover’s Leap and Today it is the perfect place to escape and enjoy a picnic Eagle’s Nest viewpoints. Lower Wyndcliffe car park, on the A466 against a stunning scenic backdrop. A walk to explore the ‹ between St Arvans and Tintern and on the No 69 bus route, offers a Kymin can be downloaded. good view of the Wye but the breathtaking vista is from Eagle’s Nest which is accessed by following the Wye Valley Walk past Upper MONMOUTH Wyndcliffe car park and return down the enchanting ‘365 Steps’. The View from Eagle’s Nest An ancient market town with a s unique 13th Century gatehouse on the Monnow Bridge. The now ruined Monmouth Castle was the birthplace of King Henry V. The MAPW yKe VaElleyY AONB Boundary Nelson Museum houses one of the A Roads The AONB has a website packed with information about the area world’s best collections of objects B Roads GENERAL INFORMATION Wye Valley AONB associated with the famous Minor Roads Hadnock Road, Monmouth NP25 3NG admiral. The Shire Hall, in Biblins Bridge Wye Valley Walk Agincourt Square, held the 1839 Chartist Trials. An easy access walk goes Offa’s Dyke Path T: 01600 710846 / 713977 E: [email protected] Cycle Path W: www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk along the riverbank to Dixton Church. A longer circular walk follows the Rivers Overlooking the Wye has a website detailing works carried out on over forty Wye Valley Walk to Biblins Bridge returning along the The Peregrine Path S Railway sites throughout the Wye Valley AONB (which leads on to Symonds Yat) and over the Wye Bridge.