Wye Valley woodlands - Beacon View, near Monmouth

Overview

Beacon View is the starting point for a couple of walks through the peaceful woodland of Beacon Hill.

Both walks pass through areas of recovering heathland. These open areas were cleared of pine trees to allow the heather to return. Grazing ponies help to keep aggressive species from taking over the heathland.

There are viewpoints along the way to enjoy far-reaching views over the Wye Valley.

Wye Valley woodlands

The woodlands of the lower Wye Valley are some of the most beautiful in Britain.

Every season brings something special: bluebells in spring, lush summer leaves, fantastic autumn colour, and the beauty of winter tree silhouettes.

Historic viewpoints off­er spectacular views across the Wye gorge and river, across to the Bristol Channel and the old Severn Bridge. You can enjoy these great views year-round but especially in winter, when the leaves have fallen.

The breath-taking natural scenery here has enthralled visitors for centuries, including painters and poets from Turner to Wordsworth.

Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The woodlands are situated in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The AONB is an internationally important protected landscape straddling the border between England and Wales.

It surrounds a 58 mile stretch of the River Wye which is recognised for its spectacular gorge scenery, ravine woodlands and farmland.

Find out more about the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Closures and diversions

Please note:

• Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or forest operations
• Occasionally we may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff
• Please always follow any instructions onsite and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs in place

Walking trails

The walking trails are waymarked and start from Beacon View car park.

Beacon Bimble

1½ miles, 2.4 kilometres, easy

The Beacon Bimble is a circular walk on mainly wide level paths through woodland and areas of recovering open heathland. The viewpoint has a picnic bench and views over the Brecon Beacons.

Duchess Ride Ramble

3 miles, 4.7 kilometres, easy

Enjoy heathlands and woodlands on this mainly level circular walk to an avenue of huge Scots Pine trees and the Duchess Ride viewpoint. Here there is a bench and great views of the Wye Valley and, on a clear day, to the Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Other route

There is a 1¾ mile (3 kilometre) waymarked walk in Manor Wood in the nearby village of Narth.

The small roadside parking area here has a grassy picnic site and children's play area.

How to get here

Beacon View is six miles south of Monmouth.

Car parking is free of charge in Beacon View car park.

Directions

From Tintern follow the sign for Catbrook at the junction adjacent to the Wye Valley Hotel. Follow this road for about 2½ miles. Turn left at the T junction opposite Whitestone car park. Take the second turning on the right, opposite Beacon Cottage, and Beacon View car park is on the right after ¼ mile.

The OS grid reference is SO 510 052.

Download the location map.

Public transport

For details of public transport visit www.traveline.cymru

Find out more

• Download our PlacesToGo app to plan your visit
• Find out what’s on
• Find out how to respect, protect and enjoy the countryside
• Help prevent the spread of tree disease
• Organise an event or activity in a woodland managed by Natural Resources Wales
• See the list of current exclusions and restrictions to open access land. 

Contact details

Tel: 0300 065 3000

Email: enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk