Description: (From their site) Outdoor folk will be spoiled for choice at this former Victorian rectory, set in 25 acres of relaxing riverside grounds with splendid views of the Royal Forest of Dean and Symonds Yat rock. Hire a canoe and take in the picturesque valley from the River Wye or choose pedal power to explore the Forest of Dean. Walkers will find miles of footpaths to follow – we recommend you start with the Wye Valley Walk which runs past the door.
Site visited: 10th of April 2010.
As seen on the blog: What goes down must go up.
If you arrive here on bicycle to make sure that you have some oomph left in your legs because you have to ride the one and a half miles from Goodrige to the YHA. Up one steep hill then a drop down to Welsh Bickor YHA. They are not lying on their website when they say that there is a very steep hill and a hairpin down to them.
We were very relieved to learn that the kitchen would be open and ready to cook us something. Because there was no way that we would be able to get back up that hill without a rest and plenty of food, since it had been a long and hard day touring.
The YHA is located on the banks of the river Wye next to a little church, very beautiful. There are sinks and toilets outside in the court yard at the main building. Which unfortunately is quite a long walk away from the area where you camp, so you really have to plan your trips to the loo or else you will end up walking miles.
After food and shower we crawled into our sleeping bags for what we hoped would be an early night. Instead we got entertained by singing scouts around the bonfire for the first act. The second act was a stag do who talked until four am.
Contact Site:
www : http://www.yha.org.uk/
phone : 0845 371 9666
Great site at a beautiful location, though with the water and “forest” around it I’m sure that mossies will come out in force. Just be prepared to have the scout singing for you at night around the bonfire.
