Symonds Yat Rock

Visitor information

Opening hours

Open every day except Christmas Day. The site opens at 8am every day and the closing times are as follows:

November to February - 5pm

March - 6.30pm

April - 8pm

May to August - 9pm

September - 7.30pm

October - 6.30pm

Please see the Cafe Facebook page for current opening times.

Symonds Yat Rock is often quieter on weekdays (outside of school holidays), earlier in the morning, and later in the afternoon.

How to find us

near Coleford, Gloucestershire, GLOUCESTER

Sat Nav Postcode: GL16 7NZ

By Car

Follow tourist signs for the Forest of Dean. Take the B4432 from Coleford and Christchurch, heading North. The site is on the left before the steep downhill road to the river.

Please note, if coming from the north along the B4229 from the Goodrich direction you will come up Yat Hill. This road is not suitable for larger vehicles.

By Public Transport

The 708 bus runs from Coleford to Symonds Yat Rock.

OS Grid Ref

SO564160

Get directions

51.83788064362, -2.6355895381287

Parking and prices

Pay for your parking with cash or use the RingGo app. We recommend downloading the app to your phone before you visit as signal can be weak at Symonds Yat Rock. Signal gets better towards the cafe/viewpoint area.

You can also use RingGo by pre-booking online or calling 0203 046 0063 with location code 31043 (cars) or 31044 (minibus or motorhome).

There is a small convenience charge for using this service. See RingGo online for full terms and conditions and VAT receipts.

Forest of Dean members park for free. Buy your Membership now for £42 and simply display your pass in your vehicle without queuing for a ticket. Parking charges and memberships help us to look after the Forest of Dean for everyone.

Please note: Our onsite pay and display machine is located in the main car park and accepts coins only, no change given.

Parking Charges

The money you pay for parking helps us to look after the forests. Read how

Cars/Vans/Motorbikes
Early bird - exit before 10.30am	£2.00
Up to 2 hours	£3.00
Up to 4 hours	£5.00
All day	£7.00

Minibuses/Motorhomes
Up to 2 hours	£8.00
Up to 4 hours	£10.00
All day	£12.00

Coaches
Up to 2 hours	£16.00
Up to 4 hours	£18.00
All day	£20.00

Additional information

Regular visitors can save money by becoming a Member -

Number of accessible parking spaces: 15

Coaches/Minibuses welcomed

Disabled parking available

Pay by phone available

Facilities and access

Symonds Yat Rock Cafe is open daily.

If you have limited mobility, why not hire a Tramper through the Countryside Mobility Scheme? Trampers are off-road mobility scooters, which are easy to use and able to tackle a range of surfaces and gradients come rain or shine. You do not have to be registered disabled to hire one.

Disabled Parking - in the main car park, or a separate car park for blue badge holders only which is closer to the viewpoint and café but further from the toilets.

For more information on planning your visit, take a look at our accessibility information:

View Accessibility Guide

Accessible toilet

Assistant dogs welcome

Cafe

Dogs allowed

Easy access trail

Picnic area

Toilets

Contact details

Landline Number

0300 067 4800

E-Mail Address

westengland@forestryengland.uk

Symonds Yat Rock

Sunrise over Symonds Yat with mist in the valley — Photo credit: David Broadbent Photography

Mist in the valley over Symonds Yat — Photo credit: David Broadbent Photography

Admire the picturesque views of the River Wye and surrounding area from this internationally famous viewpoint

Discover the ancient hill fort, spot birds of prey and enjoy a snack from the log cabin cafe.

There are waymarked trails linking to the River Wye and over the famous Biblins Bridge, or a choice of circular walks into the forest itself. There is also a cycling trail linking Forest Holidays and Camping in the Forest site at Bracelands to Symonds Yat Rock.

Symonds Yat Rock viewpoint is well known as one of the best places in the country to watch Peregrine Falcons. However, with a little patience, there are many other birds that you can seen here.

Goshawks can be viewed in detail, Sparrowhawks are frequent and breed in the trees in the valley as do Buzzards which can be seen from above whilst soaring. Ospreys also often stop here in the spring and autumn migration. Tawny Owls are sometimes seen roosting and hooting males are occasionally heard during the day. Barn Owls, Ravens and Kestrels also usually nest nearby.

At a glance

Check to see if Biblins Bridge is open if you plan on crossing the River Wye

31/03/2023 12:35

Take a look at a map of our walking trails

03/01/2023 10:36

Things to do

Orienteering at Symonds Yat Rock

Try your hand at orienteering, a map reading challenge for all levels. The aim for everyone is to navigate between control points marked on an orienteering map. If you are feeling competitive, the challenge is to complete the course in the quickest time.

At Symonds Yat Rock there are 6 orienteering courses available for you to enjoy. There are two possible starts and finishes:

Christchurch campsite - The Christchurch start is at the track junction by the Motiva ropes course, 200m down the road from the camp shop. Biblins campsite - The Biblins start is at the south end of the suspension bridge over the Wye.

There are 3 courses available from each start/finish location: Easy, Medium and Hard. The difference is a combination of length and physical and navigational difficulty.

Easy: the posts will be on or close to paths Medium: the posts are a little further from paths and you gain from cutting through the forest Hard: involves mostly running through the forest rather than on paths.

The posts all feature QR codes so you can use the free MapRun app to record your times (using either your phone/watch GPS or the QR codes). As well as the six courses, there are two "score" courses available here in MapRun, where you visit as many controls as you can (in any order) within the 1 or 2 hour time limit.

All courses have been developed in partnership with the North Gloucestershire Orienteering Club.

For younger explorers, try Gruffalo orienteering at Mallards Pike.

Find out more

Picnics at Symonds Yat Rock

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at one of our beautiful picnic areas, just bring along good food and company!

Picnic tables can be found by the café and in the main car park.

To prevent forest fires and reduce waste, please do not bring any barbecues into our forests.

Find out more

Symonds Yat Rock Cycle Trail

A linear track through woodlands high above the Wye Valley, with one steep section at the half way point. This route can also be taken on foot and leads to Forest Holidays/Camping in the Forest.

Find out more

Walking trails at Symonds Yat Rock

From Symonds Yat Rock there are waymarked trails linking to the Forest Holidays campsite, to the River Wye and a choice of circular walks into the forest itself.

Discover the ancient hill fort, look out for birds of prey and then enjoy a snack from the log cabin café.

Find out more

Nearby forests

Beechenhurst

Beechenhurst lies in the heart of the Forest of Dean, one of Britain's oldest and largest woodlands.

It is the ideal place for families to start their forest adventure, with a family activity trail, Sculpture Trail, play area and Go Ape Tree Top Adventure. You can even bring your bikes and access the wider forest on our Family Cycle Trail.

Find out more

Rider on cycling trail in the Forest of Dean

Forest of Dean Cycle Centre

Forest of Dean Cycle Centre (formerly known as Cannop Cycle Centre) has something for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Try the Family Cycle Trail or test yourself on the singletrack trails and demanding downhill runs. We also have several skills areas for different abilities, plus a pump track - to help you hone your skills.

Find out more

Mallards Pike

There is something for everyone at this beautiful lakeside setting.

Adrenaline seekers can challenge themselves at Go Ape Tree Top Challenge. For those with energy left to burn there is Forest Segway or a range of running trails from 2km to 10km routes.

Find out more

Wenchford

Wenchford is a beautiful spot nestled deep within the forest with plenty of picnic tables and an easy access path

Blackpool Brook trickles through the site under the dappled shade of the large oak trees. The paddling area is the perfect place to cool down in the hot summer months.

The toilet facilities are open from April until the end of October. Parking charges only apply during this time.

Find out more