Wye Valley

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Wye Valley straddles England and Wales. Creatives such as Coleridge, Wordsworth and Turner flocked here, taking inspiration from Gothic relics and resplendent riverbanks. Take your own Grand Tour to the verdant valley and you might spot hummingbird hawkmoths, peregrine falcons and even otters.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO For sweeping views of the Wye Valley, from limestone cliffs to ancient yew woodlands, head to Symonds Yat Rock. With walking trails in all directions, choose a circular one-mile mooch through an Iron Age hill fort or an 11-mile trek, including a ride over the river in a hand-drawn ferry (forestryengland.uk). Nearby Puzzlewood is featured in a Harry Potter film. Wander under wizened branches and between mossy rocks and imagine you’ve entered another realm (£8.50; puzzlewood.net). For those with a poetic preference, Tintern Abbey

(top right) is a must-see. Explore the ruin, taking in the remains of the cloisters, chapter house and magnificent west windows – or hike up to the Devil’s Pulpit (five miles there and back) to see the abbey in its entirety (entry £6.60; cadw.gov.wales).

WHERE TO EAT The Saracens Head Inn is perched on the east bank of the Wye and is hundreds of years old. Relax by the water with beer-battered haddock and chips washed down with local Tŷ Gwyn cider (saracensheadinn.co.uk). Over in Ross-on-wye, The King’s Head Hotel is an ancient coaching inn specialising in seafood and game. Order breast of guinea fowl with truffled mash or a fish pie packed with hake, salmon and crayfish (kingshead.co.uk).