View of the Wye Valley from Symonds Yat Rock

Jump off the bike and head on foot down the footpath east of the road to reach the Symonds Yat Rock.

Symonds Yat Rock harbours the remnants of an Iron Age hillfort, erected roughly 2,500 years in the past. Presently, this locale stands as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, where traces of the fortifications endure as a series of embankments and trenches.

In more contemporary times, Yat Rock and the Wye Valley have gained renown as the birthplace of British tourism. Beginning in the 18th century, they achieved popularity thanks to the efforts of Reverend William Gilpin, a trailblazer of the 'Picturesque' movement. His literary works left an indelible mark on the appeal of English landscape painting and served as inspiration for Romantic poets.

Symonds Yat Rock viewpoint enjoys a well-earned reputation as one of the nation's prime spots for observing peregrine falcons. Yet, with a touch of patience, a multitude of bird species can be sighted here. Goshawks offer close-up viewing, sparrowhawks are frequent denizens nesting among the valley's trees, while soaring buzzards often grace the skies. Spring and autumn migrations frequently draw ospreys to this locale, with tawny owls occasionally spotted. Meanwhile, nearby nesting sites typically host barn owls, ravens, and kestrels.