Top 5 Gorges around West Dean

This is the lesser known viewpoint around Symonds Yat, but just as with Symonds Yat this is a place to visit in the autumn when the trees are in full colour and the sun is on them to make them really shine.

Parking on side of the road for two cars. Although a steep climb their are lots of places stop and worth it for the views.

Whitebrook Valley a picturesque quiet Valley south of the river Wye, steep climb in parts, and narrow, so care needed when decending . You have a choice to ride the road or the bridleway that follows the brook. Stunning properties nestle the side of the length of lane.

An Old Byway, which sees little use. links the lower mailscot gravel track with the upper. It's a good climb but cuts the full mailshot loop a little shorter if preferred. Take a look at the large scowel "the dropper" halfway up, with small waterfall running.

From Caldwell Rocks, you get a magnificent view over the Wye Valley. It is also a great spot to watch peregrine falcons. Around this area, archaeologists have uncovered bones from hyenas, sabre-toothed cats and a mammoth.

Archaeologists have uncovered bones from hyenas, sabre-toothed cats and a mammoth in and around the caves of the valley and human habitation can be traced back to 12,000 years ago with findings of their tools and clothes. In the Iron Age the forts on the Great Doward and Yat Rock provided secure, defensible settlements for the local residents. During Roman times these forts became focal points in the region and the importance of the iron here and in the Forest of Dean made this a valuable prize for the conquerors. Offa's Dyke, built in the 8th century to separate England and Wales, runs close to Symonds Yat. The first recorded use of Symonds Yat in connection with the area is in a Patent Roll of 1256, where the place appears as Symundesyate and Symondesyate. This may contain the Old English personal name Sigemund or a very early surname deriving from it. Yat represents the Old English word geat (pronounced "yat"), meaning 'gate' and describing the gorge. Although a popular local belief, it is not true that the addition of Symonds was made in the 17th century in reference to Robert Symonds of Sugwas and Evesfield, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1685, who was indeed a member of the family who owned the lands from Wormelow near Hereford to the border regions in which surround the Yat. The area is also shown as Symons Yate on maps in 1665, Symons Yat in 1717 and Symmonds Gate in 1830. The Yat Gorge was mined for iron ore and remains of a smelting works are located down stream of the Symonds Yat Rapids.[3] The ironworks at New Weir date from the 1590s and were operated by the White family until 1753, when George White leased the site to John Partridge, an ironmonger from Ross on Wye. Partridge combined the ironworks at New Weir with his forge at Lydbrook which smelted pig iron from his furnace at Bishopswood. The works closed when the lease ran out in 1798 and the adjacent weir and lock buildings were demolished and the lock filled in 1814. The ferry at Symonds Yat has always played a huge part in the life here. In 1800 there were 25 hand ferries between Ross and Chepstow just like those outside Ye Old Ferrie Inn and the Saracen's Head today. They were introduced in Roman times to link the forts of the Doward and the Yat and have served military, civilian, tourist and horse traffic over the years.

Lots to explore at puzzlewood, interacting app you can download.

We visited on a very wet rainy day so our trip was short but was be try enjoyable as we only ever saw one other person. Great place to enjoy for everyone.