Photo: Ashley Van Haeften Adapted by wherejogoes.com
The Wye Valley, perched between England and Wales, has a whole host of fantastic family activities. Our base for the weekend was the YHA Wye Valley youth hostel. A steep descent to the hostel found it literally on the banks of the river with, astonishingly, a church next door, yurts in the garden and views of the river. The ideal base for the area’s cycling, canoeing, walking and sightseeing, you can step outside the hostel and walk down the riverbank or canoe from outside the hostel.
The hostel has private and dorm rooms as well as bell tents for hire. The premium bell tents even have a wood burner! You can also bring your own tent and camp in the hostel’s riverside grounds.
The hostel has a couple of large lounges with some games and books, a self catering kitchen and breakfast and dinner are available in the hostel’s restaurant. We found accommodation here more basic than at some of the recently refurbished hostels but the stunning waterside location is a great selling point. It’s also available for exclusive use if you have a large family or group that want to get together!
10 THINGS TO DO NEAR YHA WYE VALLEY
ARCHERY
We didn’t need to leave the YHA grounds for this as they had archery available at the hostel when we were there (check ahead for this.)
CANOEING
If you have your own canoes, you can canoe straight from the riverbank outside the hostel and people were doing canoe and camp whilst we were there. If you don’t have your own canoes, you can hire them from Symonds Yat.
SYMONDS YAT ROCK
Climb the hill to Symonds Yat Rock for fantastic views down the River Wye – reward yourself after the climb up with cake from the teashop at the top.
BIRDWATCHING
From Symonds Yat you can spot peregrine falcons – the world’s fastest bird in a dive. Sometimes there are RSPB volunteers at the top to help you spot the falcons and other birds and tell you about them. Take the binoculars!
GOODRICH CASTLE
A stone’s throw from Wye Valley YHA is Goodrich Castle, an English Heritage medieval castle with fantastic views and all the traditional castle features that kids love so much.
PUZZLEWOOD
A magical woodland with tree and rock formations and the greenest moss you’ve ever seen! Puzzlewood is the scene of filming for everything from Doctor Who to Atlantis. If your children are fans of Merlin or Wizards v Aliens this is the place to bring them as these CBBC series were also filmed here. Allegedly the inspiration for JRR Tolkein’s middle earth, you can quite see why as you almost expect fictional folk to be living here amongst the gulleys and gnarled trees.
Sitting right on the River Wye, Tintern Abbey is just shy of 1000 years old and was one of the monasteries dissolved by Henry VIII. It features in many paintings and poems and despite being a ruin, retains much of its original grandeur.
Just half an hour from YHA Wye Valley, Clearwell Caves are a good rainy day option as they are underground. Originally an iron mine, you can explore these huge caverns deep below the surface and the museum. If you are a caver, you can arrange to go beyond the show caves open to the public. Children worked in the iron mine here and your kids can have a go at carrying the loads that the child miners used to have to carry – heavy, dark and dangerous work.
BEECHENHURST
Another favourite with my children, the Forestry Commission’s Beechenhurst in the Forest of Dean has forest trails, a sculpture trail and adventure play area.
For steam train afficionados – an 8.5 mile steam train ride from Lydney to Parkend. A huge hit with kids!
With its idyllic spot in the Wye Valley and its proxmity to the Forest of Dean, YHA Wye Valley is a great base for the outdoor pursuits of the area and the many attractions nearby.
WHERE JO GOES OTHER YHA YOUTH HOSTEL REVIEWS
St Briavels Haunted Castle/Brighton/Wilderhope Manor/Danywenallt -Castles and Countryside of Wales/
PIN FOR LATER
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Looks like a great day out š
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This looks so great, I love the tents they look a bit different to usual camping, and I have been dying to visit puzzle wood for ages it looks so beautiful, thanks so much for linking up #MondayEscapes x
The best of the British countryside! Puzzlewood looks beautiful!
Looks like a fab place to stay for exploring the Wye Valley. I’ve heard great things about Puzzle Wood. Love the look of the yurts too! #MondayEscapes
I love the yurts! There’s so much to do in the wye valley, it’s an awesome place š
I’ve said this before but you always find the best hostels, Jo. We spent a couple of days in the Wye Valley last year. We went to Symonds Yat and Tintern Abbey and spent the day at the gorgeous Hay-on-Wye. Now I’ve read your post I’m desperate to explore Puzzle Wood. It looks amazing! Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
Oh my gosh, we LOVED Merlin, and were just talking about rewatching it the other day! Would definitely love to visit the place where it was filmed! Fabulous post! #farawayfiles
This is a beautiful part of the UK but then Iām biased as we live really close. Love the look of the yurts at the YH #FarawayFiles
I’m so glad I read this – we’re off to the Wye in a few months and I love the sound of some of these suggestions! Nice one – saving this for later! #farawayflies