Wye Valley & The Forest of Dean

Located at the border where England meets Wales, a land of beautiful rolling hills, unspoiled wilderness and magical attractions awaits your discovery on this brand-new weekend break. Experience an area of endless beauty with many awe-inspiring viewpoints and with nature on the doorstep - in the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley, time slows down. Experience historic, characterful towns, a forest heritage railway journey through beautiful medieval woodland and countryside and a boat trip along the River Wye.

Departure points to suit you...
Crusader Holidays uses an interchange system, taking place at either Beaconsfield Services (M40), South Mimms Services (M25/A1M) or Thurrock Services (M25).

Here you may have to change to your holiday coach and we are renowned for ensuring that this is smooth and efficient.

The holiday coaches typically depart from Beaconsfield Services at 11.15, Thurrock Services at around 09.30 and South Mimms Services at 10.30. Some customers find it more convenient to join direct at the interchange, please let is know when booking if this is the case.

*Due to increased operational costs, from Monday 16th October 2023 Dover, Folkestone, Canterbury & Ashford joining points will be subject to a £25.00 per person supplement on all 2024 UK Tours.

NOTE: Pick up points are a guide so please refer to your holiday confirmation for specific locations as details are subject to change.Highlights
- Hotel for 3 nights with breakfast and dinner- Porterage & welcome drink on arrival- Included visits to Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth- Heritage train ride on Dean Forest Railway- Symonds Yat Boat trip- Guided visit to Monmouth's Shire Hall- En-route visit in Burford (time permitting)

Quintessential England
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, relax and enjoy the scenery as you head through the charming Cotswolds. Make a stop in Burford with its famous High Street which sweeps downhill towards the River Windrush, its medieval bridge and impressive church. Both sides of the street are flanked by an unbroken line of ancient houses and shops. Onward to check into Bells Hotel & Country Club on the outskirts of Coleford surrounded by the Forest of Dean - 3 nights here with breakfast & dinner.

Day 2 - 3 - At leisure with two included excursions. DBB

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Ross-on-Wye & Dean Forest Railway
Embraced by the River Wye, hilly Ross-on-Wye is an inviting and friendly place to potter. With its picturesque location and stunning 17th century Market House and Tudor timbered houses, it's hardly surprising Ross-on-Wye is regarded as one of the loveliest towns in the UK. You can browse independent shops, saunter alongside the town's 19th-century mock-Gothic walls and Gazebo Tower folly and admire pastel-hued dwellings tumbling down the hillside to the river. The spire of St Mary's church has shaped the town's skyline for over 700 years. Saturday is market day which can be found under and around the historic Market House and which specialises in local crafts and foods.

Then head off to Norchard Station for a nostalgic aboard the Dean Forest Railway (NB may be steam or diesel hauled). Founded by the Dean Forest Railway Society in 1970, the Dean Forest Railway runs along part of the old Severn & Wye Railway lines, which were first built as a tramroad over 200 years ago. The 4.5 mile line runs through beautiful woodland and countryside, offering the chance to experience the relaxing pace of a typical country branch line. Norchard is the main station where you will find a shop, museum, locomotive restoration shed and cafe and you will travel down the line to Lydney Junction, back to Norchard and up the line to Parkend before coming back to Norchard (Please don't alight at Norchard until you have completed the full journey). A visit to the museum explains how the railway used to look, what uniform was worn and the equipment used in yesteryear.

Monmouth and Symonds Yat
Cross the border into Wales to the Georgian town of Monmouth, nestled in the tranquil lower reaches of the beautiful Wye Valley. It is situated where the River Monnow meets the River Wye, so at the mouth of the Monnow. Monnow mouth, hence Monmouth, and although right on the border with England, it has been firmly established as Welsh since 1974! Together with a volunteer guide, visit the impressive Shire Hall, a prominent Grade I listed building on Agincourt Square in the town centre. Built in 1724, the Shire Hall was formerly the centre for the Assize Courts and Quarter Sessions for Monmouthshire. Experience the courtroom which has been fully restored to how it looked in 1840s as well as the unpleasant conditions of the holding cells (lift access to all levels). The most famous landmark in Monmouth is the Monnow Bridge, the only remaining fortified river bridge in Great Britian, built under the reign of Edward I. The guide can open the bridge's gate tower for anyone wishing to climb the narrow stairs to the room above (not suitable for all!)

Head onto the renowned beauty spot of Symonds Yat, one of the most iconic and beautiful locations in the Dean Wye. The coach can take you to Symonds Yat West where you will find the Butterfly Zoo, Riverside Bar and it is from here that you board your included 40 minute cruise along the River Wye (subject to river conditions). There are steps with handrails to board

Day 4 - Depart the hotel this morning to head back to your home towns via interchangeBells Hotel & Country Club, Coleford
Located in the Forest of Dean on the outskirts of the historic market town of Coleford, this independently-owned 3* hotel is positioned in a peaceful location on a hill with beautiful views over the Wye Valley.

Each of the comfortable 53 bedrooms are of a high standard and traditional in style and offer free WiFi, TV and tea / coffee making facilities.

The hotel does not have a lift but there are plenty of ground floor bedrooms. The hotel is located across two buildings, with the reception, bedrooms and beauty suite in one, and the bar, restaurant and terrace in the other (approx. 20 yards fairly flat walk between the blocks).

The hotel also boasts a county standard bowling green as well as an 18-hole golf course (both payable locally). The walk into town is approx. 10 minutes.