Holiday rentals in Symonds Yat

Centrally located in the designated Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just a few kilometres from the Welsh border, Symonds Yat is a picturesque village with traditional whitewashed English cottages nestled amid the willows along the River Wye. Wood-clad passenger boats ferry travellers up and down the river, weaving between kayakers and paddleboarders, and beer gardens line the water’s edge. Densely wooded hillsides stretch up the valley, framing the town in green. Cafes perched atop ancient stone walls provide exceptional views of the picturesque valley, as well as local ales and home-inspired meals.

Travellers flock to Symonds Yat not just for its laid-back atmosphere but also for all the opportunities it offers to explore the surrounding nature areas, including hiking, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Overall, the climate of Symonds Yat is temperate, with moderate variations between the seasons. The summer months are characterized by warm, sun-filled days, prompting locals and visitors alike to take to the water for afternoons of swimming and paddling. Conversely, the winters tend to be cold and dark. Temperatures drop during these months, bringing many frosty mornings and the occasional dusting of snow. For hiking and exploring the hinterlands, the shoulder seasons, particularly in the latter half of the year, can be an excellent time to visit, as the temperatures are brisk, and brilliant earthen orange hues dominate the autumn landscape. Regardless of the time of year, it is a good idea to pack a rain jacket, as precipitation is common and relatively consistent throughout the year, with moderate upticks in the fall and winter.

Symonds Yat Rock

Located on the site of a 2,500-year-old fort, Symonds Yat Rock’s high cliffs offer one of the most dramatic, and romantic, viewpoints over the Wye Valley and the Dean Forest. Hiking trails and cycling paths will lead you through the beautiful woods of Herefordshire up to this observation point, which is also one of the region's best spots for spotting hawks and falcons.

Goodrich Castle

This beautifully preserved, 11th-century stone fortification is open for visitors to explore. Here you’ll find a wonderfully maintained exhibition that displays cannonballs and other artefacts found in the area that date back to the English Civil War, which the castle played a prominent role in in 1646. In the castle’s awe-inspiring, 13th-century chapel, you can bask in the multicoloured light from 800-year-old stained glass windows.

King Arthur's Cave

Mystery surrounds the history of this limestone cave formation, just west of town, and how it came to share a name with the legendary English king. Today, the cave is noted for its fascinating geological makeup and expansive interior. Before reaching the mouth of the cave, you’ll follow trails that meander through the ancient forests of the Lord’s Wood. You can explore the shallow cave and the surrounding woods of the Herefordshire Nature Trust between dawn and dusk each day.