Symonds Yat itself is in a recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is well known for its scenic riverside and forest walks.

Cycling, Canoeing, Kayaking, Climbing and Fishing are all popular activities pursued here.

Kingfisher cruises operate from outside The Saracens Head. They offer 45 min cruises along the River with guided commentry.

There’s over 1000 miles of public footpaths in the Wye Valley and surrounding area. Including the popular Sculpture Trail, The Wye Valley Walk & Offas Dyke Path.

You can download our very own Symonds Yat walking guide here (this is also available in the pub as a leaflet). Or perhaps have a read of our blog post guide on Wye Valley Walks.

Why not explore the area by River? You can hire a canoe or kayak from the Wyedean Canoe & Adventure Centre located next to The Saracens Head.

The Forest of Dean is a geographical, historical and cultural region in the western part of the county of Gloucestershire, England. It forms a plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and northwest, Herefordshire to the north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east. The area is characterised by more than 110 square kilometres (42 sq mi) of mixed woodland, one of the surviving ancient woodlands in England. A large area was reserved for royal hunting before 1066, and remained as the second largest crown forest in England, the largest being New Forest.

The Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an internationally important protected landscape straddling the border between England and Wales. It is one of the most dramatic and scenic landscapes in Britain. The River Wye is the fifth-longest river in the United Kingdom. The upper part passes through Rhayader, Builth Wells and Hay-on-Wye, but the area designated as an AONB covers 326 square kilometres (126 sq mi) surrounding a 72-kilometre (45 mi) stretch lower down the river, from just south of Hereford to Chepstow. This area covers parts of the counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire, and is recognised in particular for its limestone gorge scenery and dense native woodlands, as well as its wildlife, archaeological and industrial remains. It is also historically important as one of the birthplaces of the modern tourism industry.

The Malvern Hills are a range of hills in the English counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and a small area of northern Gloucestershire, dominating the surrounding countryside and the towns and villages of the district of Malvern. The highest summit of the hills affords a panorama of the Severn Valley with the hills of Herefordshire and the Welsh mountains, parts of thirteen counties, the Bristol Channel, and the cathedrals of Worcester, Gloucester and Hereford.