An internationally important area spreading over the English and Welsh border is the Wye Valley. A unique landscape with a wonderful history, lots to do and you’ll be pleased to hear there’s a great choice of holiday cottages in the Wye Valley.

You could find yourself in any one of the three counties, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire or Monmouthshire, no matter which you’ll be delighted to see some of the most dramatic scenery in Southern Britain, a perfect holiday destination. Cottage rentals in the Wye Valley can be rural with a pub within walking distance, have an enclosed garden if taking young children or pets, or part of our luxury collection, the choice really is yours.

The Wye Valley covers 326 square miles and the River Wye is the fifth longest in the UK. It passes through the popular centres of Rhayader, Builth Wells and Hay-on-Wye.The area is predominantly rural, Ross-on-Wye being the main town attracting many visitors throughout the year. Monmouth, Chepstow and Coleford lie just outside the boundaries.

There’s a lot to explore including limestone gorges, dense ancient woodlands plus a wonderful variety of flora and fauna to discover, a great place for dogs if you do take your four legged friend. The Forest of Dean is located here and is a magnet for those who want to walk and cycle with many marked trails and tracks; this is a true area of outstanding natural beauty and has lots of family activities and attractions.

The area is well known for its festivals the most famous perhaps being the annual ‘Book Festival’ in Hay-on- Wye which attracts people from all over the world. The towns itself is delightful with winding streets and individual quirky shops and that’s without mentioning the array of amazing books shops.

There are some fabulous walks, the longest being the Wye Valley Walk and Offa’s Dyke National Trail, which is 177 miles in total. For a great view walk up Hay Bluff passing delightful streams and waterfalls with fabulous panoramas of the Wye Valley and Black Mountains and you may come across wild roaming horses.

History and culture enthusiasts can visit Tintern Abbey, founded in the 12th century, a beautiful building inspiring artists such as William Turner. Goodrich Castle is where many border contests between England and Wales took place, the ruins in place now date back to the 1100’s. There’s also a rich industrial heritage in this region, not least of all in Abergavenny. The World Heritage Site of the Blaenavon lets its visitors descend underground with a miner for a guide to explore the history of mining in the area and local stories.