11th February 2019
The River Wye is the fifth-longest river in the UK at 134 miles long. The upper part passes through mid-Wales, but it is the lower Wye Valley which is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and where we offer our outdoor adventure activities. Here the river straddles the border between England and Wales for much of its route and flows into the Severn at Chepstow, covering around 58 miles in total through the counties of Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. It is one of the most dramatic and scenic landscapes in Britain and its limestone gorge scenery and dense native woodland, as well as its wildlife and history bring people from all over the world. But for us, it’s all about the outdoor activities we can run on the water and in the surrounding countryside. The Wye Valley is a hub of adventure and an incredible natural playground which lends itself perfectly to what we do. Its meandering river, gorges, waterfalls, rapids, crags, cliffs and forests never fail to inspire us and the adventure seekers who we take out.
Easy Access from the South West – No More Severn Bridge Tolls
In December 2018, the Severn Bridge tolls were abolished, meaning that it is now free and much quicker to travel into South Wales from the South of England. It often surprises those in the South West to hear just how close we actually are. The bridges are only a few miles long and you can be in the glorious Wye Valley in just minutes. Our base in Monmouth is only 30 miles from the centre of Bristol, and many of the locations our activities take place in are even closer! So it’s perfect for a day trip for those living nearby and offers a wide range of outdoor adventure activities much closer at hand than anywhere else.
There are two Severn Bridges: the M48 which comes into Chepstow and is easiest to access the Forest of Dean and the lower Wye Valley; and the M4 which comes into Magor and is a quicker choice when travelling to Abergavenny and the Brecon Beacons. To really experience the Wye Valley, take the M48 and travel into Chepstow, home to the oldest castle in the UK. Travel on and you’ll quickly be surrounded by lush green countryside, hills and forests and cliffs falling dramatically into the valley below. Follow the A466 which hugs the Welsh side of the river as it winds its way north carving a channel between Wales to the west and England to the east. Pass Tintern Abbey, travel under old railway bridges, see vast viewpoints, and maybe stop at one of the many riverside pubs. It really is an incredibly stunning part of the world with so much to offer. Then onwards to your meeting point with us to take part in one of our fun outdoor activities!
Outdoor Adventures and Activities in the Wye Valley – We Have Plenty of Options
We run activities in other parts of South Wales including the Brecon Beacons, as well as the Forest of Dean. But it’s the Wye Valley where we run the majority of our outdoor adventure activities. Whether you’re looking for a canoe or kayak trip down the Wye – the most popular way to travel – or something with a little more adrenaline, we’ve got you covered. Perhaps you’re interested in challenging yourself to the rapids at Symonds Yat or climbing its famous cliffs? We can take you out on mountain bikes, or we can get you taking on new heights at our high level ropes course. Introduced in 2018, our stand-up paddleboarding trips down the Wye are proving incredibly popular too. So there are plenty of options!
At Inspire2Adventure, we can show you a different side to this area of outstanding natural beauty than is written about in the travel guides and get you exploring the Wye Valley as Wordsworth never did. With spring around the corner and half-term just a week away, we’re looking forward to introducing a whole new audience to the area and helping them discover this hotspot for outdoor adventure with us. If you’d like to book any of our outdoor activities in the Wye Valley please get in contact.
