A CITY & VILLAGE TOURS NEARLY NEW DAYTRIP

THE WYE VALLEY

& THE ROYAL

FOREST OF DEAN

The beautiful Wye Valley is Border Country, fought over for centuries by the English and the Welsh. The great primeval Royal Forest of Dean is a fairy tale Queen of Forests where witches live, miners are free and sheep have badgers. With wonderful scenery all day, a River Wye Cruise and tea and homemade shortbread included in the tour fee this is a great day for groups who like to see a lot without walking too far.

Our guide hops on your coach at the Severn Bridge to drive into the forest to buy morning refreshments at 10.30am. The Forest of Dean is full of myth legend and tradition. Verderers first introduced by King Canute to guard the ‘vert’ and the ‘venison’ are still appointed on a salary of a doe and a buck a year. They can still impose the death penalty for poaching but it must be carried out on a gibbet long since mislaid so that’s that for the hangings!

For lunch we visit historic Monmouth in the heart of the Wye Valley, the birthplace of Henry V - the one with the pudding bowl haircut. Monmouth’s ancient fortified stone bridge was hopeless as a defence since enemies need only roll up their trouser legs and wade across the river but it’s a thing of beauty and a pleasant spot to settle for a bit of otter-spotting. Market days in Monmouth are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

For the afternoon we’re out on the water at Symonds Yat to fully appreciate the beauty of the Wye Valley. On the attractive all-weather barge we’ll wind our way through the picturesque gorge and village. See if you can spot the peregrine falcons, kestrels and buzzards on the limestone cliffs towering above the boat. After an hour on the water we return ashore for a peek at a lovely old church named for the saint said to have crowned the legendary King Arthur before retiring for a cream tea (included in the tour fee) at a nearby hotel. The day ends here at 4.45pm. We’ll take a direct but scenic route back to the Severn Bridge, passing the romantic ruins of Tintern Abbey.

It’s a five-minute flat walk (approx 300 yards) to the boat and back. For very poor walkers we can arrange car transfers at no extra charge to access the boat if notified in advance.

Adults Seniors: £27

Available daily except

Tuesdays from mid March

to end of October.

30 miles

2