We are also positioned between The Royal Forest of Dean, the Black Mountains and the Malvern Hills, enjoying what some describe as the Ross micro climate.

The Forest of Dean starts 5 miles away at the famous beauty spot of Symonds Yat.  The view from the elevated viewing platform on Yat rock is of the bow of the river and from here Peregrine falcons can be spotted.

The view is often seen on television and appeared in the film Shadow Lands with Anthony Hopkins.  Below the rock, Symonds Yat East is connected to Symonds Yat West by a pull ferry. The ferryman pulls you across the river by an over head rope.  Along the river there are pubs, tearooms, canoe hire, walks, cycle routes, abseiling, river cruises and other entertainments at Symonds Yat  West.

From Symonds Yat you can tour down into the Forest where there are weeks of things to do.  A selection includes:

• Clearwell caves
  

• Climbing adventure tower

• Go Ape

• Puzzlewood –inspired Tolkien’s Middle Earth, filming Dr Who and Merlin

• Perrygrove Railway

• Dean Forest Railway

• Dean Heritage Centre

• The Sculpture Trail – free just pay parking
  

• Pedalabikeaway

• Forest Hill Golf Course

• Motiva Ropes Course

• Model Village

• Lydney Gardens

• The Severn Bore                      
  

The Forest of Dean is renowned for being particularly beautiful at bluebell time and later in the year for its autumn colours. 

We have enjoyed travelling down ancient high bank primrose clad lanes falling out of the Forest into the Wye valley at Brockweir. 

Here it is free to visit the residents of the Horses and Ponies Protection Association yard but they are grateful if you visit their shop and café. 

A short walk down stream takes you to Tintern Old Railway Station, then to the pretty riverside village of Tintern and its famous Abbey ruin.