Symonds Yat, Forest of Dean
What’s unusual about Symonds Yat is that it’s a village of two parts – east and west, separated by the River Wye and rather romantically, the best way to get from one to the other is by hand pulled ferry. It’s quite a lovely little village right on the borders of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, and the surrounding landscape is absolutely beautiful - flat pastures, huge woodlands, and the deeply tumbling Yat Gorge. Do go there as there’s plenty to do; hire a canoe and spend time messing about on the river, or take a cruise along the waters and when you get back go the Saracens Head Inn for lunch on the river bank. Take a family trip to the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo and the Amazing Hedge Puzzle; if you drive up to the viewpoint that overlooks Yat’s horseshoe bend, you’ll be rewarded with not only spectacular views that stretch across to the Black Mountains, but possibly the sight of peregrine falcons nesting on the cliffs. Now there’s something you don’t see very often.