The dreamiest escape, with incredible Wye Valley views, woodland adventures and a quirky outdoor cinema room (sleeps 4)
Space & setting.
The adventure begins long before you arrive – you’ll feel a tingle of anticipation as you leave the main road and start to meander along the edge of the valley towards Symonds Yat, with glimpses of the River Wye through the trees. Tucked into the hillside, this cottage was rescued from ruin by a local couple who have transformed it into a dreamy woodland escape for 4 (though it calls out for romantic stays, too). Beautiful Scandi-inspired interiors and earthen tones set the scene for a back-to-nature stay of the most luxurious kind. Find sink-into velvet sofas, linen bedding and a decadent walk-in shower inside; outside, a raised deck that wraps itself around the cottage giving you epic valley views that stretch away in all directions.
As tempting as it may be to hole up and stay put, the Wye Valley awaits your exploration. Walk straight from the door through mile upon mile of ancient woodland, hire ebikes and discover hill-forts and tumbledown castles, mosey down to the water for a wild dip. Wherever your adventure takes you, be sure to return to the cottage as twilight settles over the valley; the most magical time. Climb into the huge tub on the festoon-decked terrace, then snuggle under blankets in front of an old romantic in the woodland cinema or light the chiminea and simply drink in the peace and quiet and starry skies as the river rushes through the valley below.
Getting here: you’ll need to drive.
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Sustainability.
Toiletries are all solid bars without plastic packaging. The outdoor bath is chemical-free.
Surrounds.
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Ye Olde Ferrie Inn -
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- Wander down to Ye Olde Ferrie Inn – a 15-minute walk – for food on the riverside terrace and a steady stream of canoes and paddleboards floating past. This 500-year old pub on the banks of the Wye has a delicious menu inspired by local flavours and a brilliant selection of craft ales.
- Watch the sunset from the water on a twilight SUP lesson with local outfit Yofi Paddlesports. Or opt for the Early Bird session and listen to the amazing dawn chorus as you paddle along.
- Pack a picnic and explore the woodland on both sides of the river. There are various trails you can follow, from easy circulars to more challenging forested tracks, like the climb up to the viewpoint of Symonds Yat Rock where you might spot peregrine falcons circling overhead in summer.
- Hire ebikes and follow one of the many cycle paths, from gentle, family-friendly routes that follow the riverbanks to tricky ascents that take you right into the heart of the neighbouring valleys. The 11-miler to Angidy Valley, home of the magnificent Tintern Abbey, is a belter.
- For a gentler pursuit, try throwing pots at a ceramics taster session or dabble with watercolours at Adam’s friendly art studio, just up the road from the cottage.
Specifics.
- Standalone cottage surrounded by woodland
- 2 bedrooms; 1 kingsize and 1 king/twin
- Bathroom with walk-in shower; toiletries provided
- Well-equipped kitchen including induction hob; basics provided
- Order grazing boards from the local deli in advance
- Lounge with Loaf sofa, logburner, Smart TV with projector, board games, books and binoculars
- Pretty outdoor area with 4-person jetted bath, BBQ, seating and festoon lighting
- Outdoor cinema room
- Good WiFi but patchy phone signal in the valley
- Suitable for babe-in-arms or over 3s only; travel cot and highchair available
- Dog friendly
- The owners are available by phone should you need them
- Hire bicycles and ebikes locally
- Walk or ferry to riverside pubs (15 mins); walk 30 mins to local shop and cafe
- IMPORTANT: Please note as soon as your booking is confirmed you will be sent a link to pay a £50 security deposit by the owner. Once received this must be paid within 24 hours or the booking will be voided.
- Please note the owner will require you to read and accept the outdoor jetted spa bath disclaimer prior to your stay. The signatory (lead guest) is responsible for making sure that all members of their party, and their guests, are aware of, and strictly adhere to the safety guidelines.
- Booking conditions: a 2-night minimum stay midweek; 3 nights over weekends; 4 nights during summer holidays – for all applicable minimum stays please check the calendar below
- Remember to pack: walking boots
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FAQs.
Check-in time is 4pm. However, we may be able to arrange an earlier check-in so please contact us to arrange this prior to arrival.
We operate a contactless check in via a secure lockbox.
The outside bath is a beautiful 4 person traditional tin bath set in the most amazing location at the end of the deck. This tub is environmentally friendly and we do not use chemicals unlike other hot tubs.
There is free Wi-Fi for your use. Due to the rurality we have overhead cables through the woodland. This does mean we are susceptible to faults in the line. We do however have BT halo so if there is any loss of service please contact us and we have a backup myfi dongle.
Dogs are part of the family so are more than welcome but please remember that they should not be left unattended in properties.
The Rapids Cottage has an allocated parking space. There is more parking a short stroll away and information can be provided if required. There are 30 steps up to the cottage which takes you into the woodland. We have half an acre of private woodland but this continues onto miles of forestry commission land. There are retractable awnings to close off the 100m2 decking from the rest of the property. They are not secure gates.
We are a family run business and have 2 young boys who love the cottage. That being said we ask all those with mobile children under 3 to contact us as there are steep, open backed stairs in the cottage and the awnings to shut of the deck outside are more of a deterrent than safety feature. We can provide a Cot or highchair if required.
There are 30 steps up to the cottage from the parking space. I am sorry to say we are not the cottage for those with restricted mobility.
We welcome special getaways but do ask that any events are run past us first. Symonds Yat is an area that is sought after for its peace and tranquillity and being in a gorge noise carries surprisingly far.
