Welsh Borders Beano 2013 – 7 days

The Lower Wye Valley in the southern Welsh Borders is a fascinating landscape peppered with black & white cottages, ivy-clad castles, and apple orchards. Nestling between the Cotswolds to the east and the Black Mountains to the west, it is a half-forgotten gem.

Meandering country lanes lead to Kilpeck Church with its saucy pagan carvings; Skenfrith, Grossmont and Goodrich castles; the strangely-deserted Dore Abbey; picturesque Symonds Yat gorge; and the Forest of Dean.

We stay at Poulstone Court, a fine Victorian country house in the lush peaceful surroundings of the Lower Wye Valley near Ross-on-Wye. The house, now used as a comfortable residential course centre, is a splendid place to relax and unwind, with its large sunny lounge and sweeping views across the meadows to the River Wye. It is only a 10-minute stroll to the little iron suspension bridge which crosses the river.

Accommodation is in single, twin, and comfortably spacious 3 to 4-person bedrooms. Poulstone Court may not have ensuite rooms, but its gentle ambience and airy elegance more than makes up for it. There is also limited camping space on the lawn.

On the optional cycle-free day you can either go for a short walk along the river valley, do a long ride to May Hill and the Chartists' village at Snigs End, or go canoeing at Symonds Yat.