53-625: The Wye Valley Walk ( Welsh : Llwybr Dyffryn Gwy ) is a long distance footpath in Wales and England following the course of the River Wye . In 1975 the Wye Valley Walk opened with a 14-mile (23 km) stretch between St. Arvans and Monmouth . Further stretches were added, leading to it becoming a 34-mile (55 km) footpath by 1981. During the 1980s, gaps between Ross-on-Wye , Hay-on-Wye and Rhayader were integrated into
106-524: A Poem in Four Books' providing account of an 1807 trip made by him and a party of friends down the River Wye and surrounding areas. The first of Britain's great landscapes to be 'discovered', the Wye Valley's particular attraction was its river scenery, and the many guidebooks, engravings and paintings ensured a continuing steady stream of visitors. Viewpoints were specially constructed, including
159-796: A fashionable way to decorate houses. At Redbrook , copper works were established by 1691, and a century later the village became one of the world's major tinplate manufacturing centres. This industry survived until the 1960s and was renowned for producing the thinnest, highest quality plate in the world. The Lydbrook valley was also a thriving centre for metal industries, such as the manufacture of telegraph cables. The valley woodlands were carefully managed to produce mature trees for shipbuilding , or by coppicing for charcoal , and to provide bark for tanning . The valley industries were also massive consumers of timber. A ship of 150 tons, for example, required 3,000 wagonloads of timber to complete – and in 1824, 13 ships were launched at Brockweir alone. The river
212-572: A fierce fight by conservationists. The subsequent development, known as Falmer Stadium , was officially opened in July 2011. The Weymouth Relief Road in Dorset was constructed between 2008 and 2011, after environmental groups lost a High Court challenge to prevent its construction. Writing in 2006, Professor Adrian Phillips listed threats facing AONBs, which he says include uncertainty over future support for land management, increasing development pressures,
265-611: A football stadium in the Sussex Downs AONB , and, larger than any other, a £1 billion plan by Imperial College London to build thousands of houses and offices on hundreds of acres of AONB land on the Kent Downs at Wye . In September 2007 government approval was finally given for the development of a new football ground for Brighton and Hove Albion within the boundaries of the Sussex Downs AONB, after
318-579: A landscape of hills and plains, as well as substantial meanders which have formed impressive river cliffs. The Lower Wye landscape was formed by the river acting on a series of layers of rock that dip towards the Forest of Dean . Here the river has incised into the margins of the Old Red Sandstone plateau to form a gorge with substantial river cliffs. The steepest parts of the Wye gorge are cut through
371-532: A number of other small Roman settlements are known. The first evidence of the exploitation of iron and coal in the valley is found in the Roman period, with iron working known from sites at Monmouth , Trellech and elsewhere, as well as in the adjoining Forest of Dean . The medieval boroughs of Goodrich and Chepstow, at each end of the Wye Gorge, may have originally been established at this time. Closely following
424-488: Is marked out by circular yellow waymark arrows, finger posts , and signs showing the path's logo , a leaping salmon . Most of the route follows Public Rights of Way . Some parts are permissive paths where owners have agreed for them to be used. Parts of Plynlimon are open countryside in which there is a right to roam established by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 . The route passes through Chepstow,
477-512: Is one of 46 areas of countryside in England , Wales , or Northern Ireland that has been designated for conservation due to its significant landscape value. Since 2023, the areas in England and Wales have also adopted the name National Landscapes . Areas are designated in recognition of their national importance by the relevant public body: Natural England , Natural Resources Wales , and
530-582: The Bronze Age . Later, Iron Age forts along the lower Wye Valley, and in the Woolhope area, took advantage of the natural hilltops and promontories to form well-defended settlements. It is likely that many of these marked the edges of disputed tribal pre-Roman territories. Watling Street ran through the Roman settlements of Ariconium (just north of modern Ross-on-Wye ) and Blestium (Monmouth), and
583-728: The Cambrian Mountains and is enclosed by hills as it descends through Rhayader , Builth Wells and Hay-on-Wye before reaching the England-Wales border and becoming a broader vale through Hereford . The lower part of the valley meanders past Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth , where it becomes the England-Wales border, before reaching the Severn Estuary at Chepstow . Much of this section features limestone gorge scenery and dense native woodlands, which made
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#1732780794621636-529: The Carboniferous Limestone . Here the combined action of the river, natural joints in the rocks and quarrying have exposed many vertical faces, particularly between Tintern and Chepstow. Geological interest extends underground, and there are many rock shelters and solution caves in the area. These include King Arthur's Cave and many others in the area of Symonds Yat and Slaughter Stream Cave near Berry Hill. At St Arvans , near Chepstow,
689-645: The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 as the AONB designation. The purpose of an AONB designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the designated landscape. There are two secondary aims: meeting the need for quiet enjoyment of the countryside and having regard for the interests of those who live and work there. To achieve these aims, AONBs rely on planning controls and practical countryside management. As they have
742-884: The New Forest National Park in 2005 meant the subsumption of South Hampshire Coast AONB into it. East Hampshire AONB and Sussex Downs AONB East Hampshire and Sussex Downs AONBs were replaced in 2010 by the South Downs National Park . (Ynys Môn) (Bryniau Clwyd a Dyffryn Dyfrdwy) (Gŵyr) (Dyffryn Gwy) (partly in England) Notes The following are formal proposals for new AONBs submitted to Natural England : The 2019 Landscape Review Report additionally favourably mentions proposals not listed in Natural England's list: from Sandstone Ridge and
795-547: The Northern Ireland Environment Agency respectively. On 22 November 2023, following a 2022 Landscapes Review policy paper, the AONBs in England and Wales adopted a new name, National Landscapes ( Welsh : Tirweddau Cenedlaethol ), and are in the process of rebranding. The name "area of outstanding natural beauty" is still the designated legal term. In place of the term AONB, Scotland uses
848-651: The Strangford Lough and Lecale Coast AONBs being merged to form a single AONB in 2010. AONBs vary greatly in terms of size, type and use of land, and whether they are partly or wholly open to the public. The smallest AONB is the Isles of Scilly , 16 km (6.2 sq mi), and the largest is the Cotswolds , 2,038 km (787 sq mi). AONBs cover around 15% of England and 4% of Wales. AONBs in England and Wales were originally created under
901-610: The Wye Valley AONB , Tintern , Monmouth , Ross-on-Wye , Symonds Yat , Hereford , Hay-on-Wye , Builth Wells , Rhayader , and Llangurig to Plynlimon. The route of the Wye Valley Walk can be broken into 17 stages, though the entire walk is often walked in seven day-length sections from Chepstow to Plynlimon, or vice versa. Days and sections* described in the text The Wye Valley Walk , and The Wye Valley Walk website, both by The Wye Valley Partnership. *miles and km rounded to whole numbers The Wye Valley Walk passes
954-422: The 18th century. The earliest known appreciation of the area's spectacular beauty can be dated to the beginning of the century, when John Kyrle developed the 'Prospect' at Ross-on-Wye , and it was later mentioned in verse by Alexander Pope . In 1745, John Egerton , later Bishop of Durham , started taking friends on boat trips down the valley from the rectory at Ross. The area became more widely known following
1007-472: The AONB designation was first put forward by John Dower in his 1945 Report to the Government on National Parks in England and Wales . Dower suggested there was need for protection of certain naturally beautiful landscapes that were unsuitable as national parks owing to their small size and lack of wildness. Dower's recommendation for the designation of these "other amenity areas" was eventually embodied in
1060-471: The AONB enlists a range of partners in conserving and enhancing its beauty for the benefit of present and future generations. The area is predominantly rural, and many people make a living from tourism, agriculture or forestry. Ross-on-Wye is the only town within the National Landscape itself, but Hereford, Monmouth, Coleford and Chepstow lie just outside its boundaries. In 2023, all AONBs in
1113-620: The AONBs (the Cotswolds and the Chilterns), which extend into a large number of local authority areas, have their own statutory bodies, known as conservation boards. In 2019 the Glover Report made various recommendations regarding the future of AONBs – the report's 'central proposal' being to bring National Parks and AONBs together as part of one 'family of national landscapes' – but as at 1 November 2020
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#17327807946211166-582: The Kymin above Monmouth , with its round house giving panoramic views across the town. Another highlight for travellers was the cliff ascent and walks at Piercefield . However, most of the truly 'Picturesque' scenes were sketched from river level, with the shimmering water as the foreground for the forests and cliffs behind, and the castle and abbey ruins. In 1813 the Monmouth Tramroad linked Coalway (near Coleford ), Redbrook and Monmouth . This
1219-538: The Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (NI) Order 1985. There are growing concerns among environmental and countryside groups that AONB status is increasingly under threat from development. The Campaign to Protect Rural England said in July 2006 that many AONBs were under greater threat than ever before. Three particular AONBs were cited: the Dorset AONB threatened by a road plan, the threat of
1272-829: The River Wye, Offa's Dyke was built in the 8th century under King Offa to mark out the boundary between England and Wales and is, today, the longest archaeological monument in Britain. Offa's Dyke Path long distance footpath today traces the route through the Wye valley on the English bank, while the Wye Valley Walk follows the Welsh bank. When the Normans conquered the region in the 11th century they immediately built major castles at Chepstow and Monmouth to defend
1325-636: The UK were rebranded as National Landscapes, though still keep their designation as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The navigation of the tidal part of the Wye (below Bigsweir ) comes under the control of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees as Competent Harbour Authority. [REDACTED] Media related to Bigsweir Woods at Wikimedia Commons Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ( AONB ; Welsh : Ardal o Harddwch Naturiol Eithriadol , AHNE )
1378-978: The United Kingdom: 33 in England, four in Wales , one on the England–Wales border , and eight in Northern Ireland . The first AONB was established in 1956 on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales , and the most recent to be designated is the Tamar Valley AONB , established in 1995. More recent changes include the Clwydian Range AONB being extended in 2012 to form the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, and
1431-549: The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites ( Safleoedd Ystlumod Dyffryn Gwy a Fforest y Ddena ) and the Wye Valley Woodlands ( Coetiroedd Dyffryn Gwy ). It supports a population of lesser horseshoe bats , a growing population of peregrine falcons , goshawks , ravens , rare whitebeam , nightjar and lesser known fish like the shad and twaite. The main Welsh populations of the small but colourful moth Oecophora bractella are found here. In September 2006 it
1484-483: The Wye Valley historically important as one of the birthplaces of the modern tourism industry. The lower part of the valley is designated as the Wye Valley National Landscape , an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty , protected as an internationally important landscape. This designation covers covers 326 square kilometres (126 sq mi) surrounding a 72-kilometre (45 mi) stretch of
1537-466: The area's distinctive qualities, for the benefit of present and future generations. Administratively the area is very complex, being the only protected landscape to straddle the border between England and Wales. The counties of Herefordshire, Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire are each in a different government region. Co-ordination of conservation across these political boundaries is undertaken by an AONB unit and Joint Advisory Committee. A Management Plan for
1590-567: The following notable landmarks: The following stations have services provided by Transport for Wales which can be used to connect with the Wye Valley Walk: Wye Valley The Wye Valley ( Welsh : Dyffryn Gwy ) is a valley in Wales and England . The River Wye ( Welsh : Afon Gwy ) is the fourth-longest river in the United Kingdom. The upper part of the valley is in
1643-554: The geology of the area around the village of Woolhope is largely made up of Silurian limestones , shales and sandstones . To the south of this, the Herefordshire lowlands are largely underlain by red mudstones and sandstones , producing a redder soil. These rocks are softer than the limestones elsewhere, so the river created more meanders , a wider floodplain , and a gentler and more rolling landscape. Around Symonds Yat , limestones and red sandstones meet. This leads to
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1696-703: The government has yet to respond to those recommendations. However, the Cotswolds Conservation Board announced in September 2020 that they were re-styling the area name and it is now known as the Cotswolds National Landscape. All English and Welsh AONBs have a dedicated AONB officer and other staff. As required by the CRoW Act, each AONB has a management plan that sets out the characteristics and special qualities of
1749-529: The impacts of globalization, and climate change . More subtle threats include creeping suburbanization and horsiculture . Poet Laureate Simon Armitage wrote a poem "Fugitives", commissioned by the National Association of AONBs, which he read on Arnside Knott on 21 September 2019 to launch the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act . South Hampshire Coast AONB The establishment of
1802-616: The landscape and how they will be conserved and enhanced. The AONBs are collectively represented by the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB), an independent registered charity acting on behalf of AONBs and their partners, which uses the slogan "Landscapes for Life". AONBs in Northern Ireland was designated originally under the Amenity Lands (NI) Act 1965; subsequently under
1855-451: The most famous poets, writers and artists of the day made the pilgrimage to the great sights of Goodrich, Tintern and Chepstow – among them Coleridge , Thackeray and Turner . Wordsworth was also captivated by the area, writing Lines written a few miles above Tintern Abbey in 1798. Poetic influence continued to be felt in the next century, as in 1811, popular 'peasant poet', Robert Bloomfield wrote 'The Banks of Wye;
1908-572: The nationally important Lower Wye Gorge SSSI and within the Wye Valley National Landscape . The Wye Valley is important for its rich wildlife habitats including ancient gorge woodland, saltmarsh and limestone cliffs. The area has three sites of international importance, designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under the European Union 's Habitats Directive . These are the River Wye ( Afon Gwy ),
1961-457: The night of the harvest moon. The line closed to passengers in 1959, although sections remain as bridleways and footbridges. There are now main line railway stations at Hereford and Chepstow . The road network in the lower Wye valley remained essentially undeveloped during the rise of the Valley's industrialisation, until a series of Turnpike trusts were authorised during the 18th century. It
2014-491: The original 1949 Act. However, further regulation and protection of AONBs in England and Wales was added by the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 , under which new designations are now made, In the National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012), the government stated that AONBs and national parks have equal status when it comes to planning decisions on landscape issues. Two of
2067-581: The pathway, forming a 112-mile (180 km) walk reaching from near the river's mouth at Chepstow in Monmouthshire , to Rhayader in Mid Wales . In September 2002, the route was finally extended to start or finish in Coed Hafren , having passed within viewing distance of the source of the River Wye on Plynlimon near Aberystwyth , a total of 136 miles (219 km). The Wye Valley Walk
2120-496: The publication of works by the poet Thomas Gray , and, in particular, Observations on the River Wye by the Reverend William Gilpin , published in 1782. The first illustrated tour guide to be published in Britain, it helped travellers locate and enjoy the most " Picturesque " aspects of the countryside. Regular excursions began to be established from Ross, the boat journey to Chepstow taking two days. Some of
2173-532: The raw materials and finished product, and with the introduction of the blast furnace in the 16th century, its tributaries began to be used for water power. The first brass made in Britain was founded at Tintern in 1566. Wire -making followed, with water mills situated on all the tributaries of the lower Wye. The area resounded to the noise and smoke of heavy industry for the next 400 years and gave rise to many pioneering industries. For instance, Whitebrook became famous for paper milling, when wallpaper became
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2226-447: The river, from just south of Hereford to Chepstow in the counties of Gloucestershire , Herefordshire and Monmouthshire . In addition to its landscape value, the area is recognised in for its wildlife, archaeological and industrial remains. The varied landscapes of the Wye Valley can be explained by underlying rocks and structures, and how ice and then the river and tributary streams have acted upon them through time. Close to Hereford,
2279-501: The same landscape quality, AONBs may be compared to the national parks of England and Wales . National parks are well known in the UK; by contrast, there is evidence to indicate many residents in AONBs may be unaware of the status. However, the National Association of AONBs is working to increase awareness of AONBs in local communities, and, in 2014, successfully negotiated to have the boundaries of AONBs in England shown on Google Maps . There are 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in
2332-455: The same legislation as the national parks , the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 . Unlike AONBs, national parks have special legal powers to prevent unsympathetic development. AONBs in general remain the responsibility of their local authorities by means of special committees that include members appointed by a minister and by parishes, and only very limited statutory duties were imposed on local authorities within an AONB by
2385-416: The similar national scenic area (NSA) designation. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty enjoy levels of protection from development similar to those of UK national parks , but unlike national parks the responsible bodies do not have their own planning powers . They also differ from national parks in their more limited opportunities for extensive outdoor recreation. The idea for what would eventually become
2438-477: The territory. Smaller castles were built at St Briavels , Ruardean , Goodrich and Wilton Castle . Tintern Abbey was founded in 1131 by Cistercian monks, and largely rebuilt in the 13th century. It is the best-preserved medieval abbey in Wales and an outstanding example of Gothic architecture . Many of the smaller villages in the area probably date from the Middle Ages, and much of this expansion
2491-399: The underground watercourses have carved out long cave systems, which exit at Otter Hole at the base of Piercefield cliffs – the only cave system in England or Wales which can only be reached through a tidal sump, making it a mecca for experienced cavers. Lancaut and Ban-y-Gor are Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserves. They both have SSSI status being part of
2544-696: Was not until 1828 that the current Wye Valley road, the A466 , was first constructed. The area became more accessible by road to much of the country with the building of the M50 between the M5 and Ross-on-Wye, and the opening of the Severn Bridge (now part of the M48 ) in 1966. The Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was designated in 1971. The designation indicates the importance of recognising and preserving
2597-446: Was probably associated with the early iron industry. The medieval iron industry consumed large quantities of charcoal and much of the woodland was coppiced for this purpose. Trellech was one of the largest communities in Wales during this period. Iron has been made in the Wye Valley since Roman times, using the ready supply of timber, good quality ore and abundant charcoal from the Forest of Dean . The river provided transport for
2650-657: Was reported that one colony of lesser horseshoe bats in the area had reached record numbers, with some 890 bats in a small stone barn (599 adults and 291 pups). The valley has been inhabited for at least 12,000 years. Caves near Symonds Yat and Chepstow provide evidence of settlement dating from Palaeolithic times, and finds from later stone ages such as the Neolithic have also been found. These have yielded evidence of how prehistoric human populations lived as nomadic hunters and traders. Standing stones at Huntsham, Staunton , and Trellech all have origins dating back to
2703-408: Was stated that the Wye "can scarcely be considered a commercial highway" above Monmouth, and by the 1880s Brockweir bridge was the effective upper limit of navigation. As the 19th century progressed, the valley's industries gradually declined, and management of the woodlands lessened when there was no longer a ready market for their products. The Wye Valley witnessed the birth of British tourism in
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#17327807946212756-519: Was the economic backbone of the region, providing an important means of transport, trade and communication. In late medieval times, salmon weirs hindered free passage on the river, but the Wye Navigation Act in 1662 enabled the river's potential to be developed. By 1727 shallow draught boats could get upstream beyond Hereford, and a significant shipbuilding industry developed at Monmouth, Llandogo , Brockweir and Chepstow. However, by 1835 it
2809-416: Was the world's first railed-way to make specific powers in its Act of Parliament to allow for the charging of fares to passengers. The standard gauge Wye Valley Railway line between Chepstow, Monmouth and Ross opened much later, in 1876. This made the valley more accessible and popular to tourists. In the early 20th century, crowds of up to 1300 would travel on a special train journey to see Tintern Abbey on
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