Go Ape
Go Ape has several locations across the UK where you can climb and fly through the trees. If it's adrenaline fuelled family fun you're after then look no further.
YHA Wye Valley
Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 6JJOverview
COVID-19 Industry Standard
In Partnership with The National Tourist Organisation of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
In recognition that this business has confirmed that they have followed government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, ensuring processes are in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social/physical distancing.
Set in 25 acres on the banks of the River Wye, YHA Wye Valley is great for activity breaks and adventures in this magical section of the Welsh borders. It even has its own canoe landing station!
Located in the heart of the Royal Forest of Dean, close to Symonds Yat Rock, there's a course on site for orienteering holidays and there are miles of footpaths and trails to explore for walkers and cyclists of all levels. There’s also an extensive range of camping and glamping options to enjoy, too!
Why guests love YHA Wye Valley
Accommodation at YHA Wye Valley
The hostel
Both dorms and private rooms are available at this Youth Hostel, along with lounge and dining areas. There are two lounge areas for our guests to relax in, a dining room and an outside seating area for dining or relaxing when the weather is fine.
Bell tents
Get all the fun of camping but without any of the set up stresses with these beautiful bell tents - part of the YHA Glamping experience. These spacious tipi-like tents are fully kitted out with a double futon bed and three single futons plus all bedding and can sleep four/five people. They also have eco-friendly solar lighting and comfy bean bags for you to chill out on during the day plus bedside tables, a coffee table, rugs and soft flooring. Premium bell tents also have the added benefit of a woodburner to keep you cosy.
There are six bell tents available at YHA Wye Valley - four standard and two premium. YHA Wye Valley's bell tents are available to book for stays between April and September.
Camping
Please note that camping is sold per person and not per pitch and so, during the booking process, you will need to select the number of people that you wish to camp.
The campsite is a spacious field on the edge of the Youth Hostel grounds in close proximity to the River Wye and the on-site canoe launch - perfect for a watersports holiday! For guests with smaller children, or if you wish to be closer to the facilities, there is an additional camping field situated directly below the main building. The Wye Valley campsite is a great location for both organised groups and family holidays. It is a perfect stopover for canoeing the Wye or as a base for a canoeing break. YHA Wye Valley has a restaurant and also hosts BBQ nights. On site activities include archery and family fun nights.
Facilities
A water supply is provided on the camp site as well as a designated fire pit/barbecue area for campers' use and picnic tables.
There is 24 hour access to toilets and showers. The separate male and female WC blocks are located in the main courtyard.
Campers are welcome to use the self-catering kitchen and seating area during open hours and there is a sink for washing up in the courtyard.
Campers are welcome to use the main hostel lounge facilities.
Parking
During periods of dry weather, you can drive your car down to the camping field and park next to your tent. However, when the ground is wet access to the campsite may be more difficult and so there is a car park approximately five minutes' walk away.
Check In
All campers must check in before 10.00pm and check out by 10am. Later departure is available by prior arrangement, please contact YHA Wye Valley directly for details.
Please note that during sole use of YHA Wye Valley by school groups, the campsite is not available for use except for other school/educational groups. Advance booking is advised.
Important Information
No ground level fires or non-raised barbecues are permitted anywhere else on the campsite other than the designated fire pit, due to health and safety reasons.
Guests are responsible for the provision of firewood. Firewood is available to buy from reception. It is not permitted to use wood from nearby trees or woodland as these are on private grounds
Campers are not permitted to bring their own alcohol on site but there is a bar in the main Youth Hostel which they are welcome to use.
There is a tight hairpin bend on the main driveway and so cars towing trailers may need to detach the trailer to go round the bend.
The access to the site is not suitable for any vehicle larger than a small minibus. It is therefore not recommended for camper vans.
Hire the whole place
This hostel is occasionally made available for hire on an exclusive basis. This means that you can have the place to yourself and choose how many of your friends, family, club mates, etc., join you. We allocate availability for exclusive use in blocks, typically up to 90 days in the future. If you are looking for space to stay with us on a normal shared basis, and can’t see any availability three months or more into the future, then this hostel may be being held for Exclusive Hire. You can check availability for Exclusive Hire on our dedicated website.
Food and drink at YHA Wye Valley
Things to do around YHA Wye Valley
Climbing in Wye Valley
Symonds Yat is one of the best areas for climbing.
Go Ape - Forest of Dean
High wire fun in the forest – climb rope ladders, zip wire through the trees and tackle high wire rope bridges.
Tintern Abbey
One of the greatest monastic ruins of Wales. Don't miss the Nave's west window which is currently being restored. Visit the website
Monmouth Canoe Hire
Just downstream from a small set of rapids, marking the start of a beautiful section of the Wye, there's 100 miles of canoe-able river.
Goodrich Castle
Standing in open countryside above the River Wye, Goodrich Castle is one of the finest and best preserved of all English medieval castles.
Walking and Rambling in Wye Valley
YHA Wye Valley is perfect for walking holidays. The hostel is on the Wye Valley Walk, a very popular walking trail through the Welsh borders and the limestone valley.
Mountain biking in Wye Valley
The Forest of Dean is a great place for mountain bikers of all abilities.
Cycling in Wye Valley
The Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley are great for cycling. There are many routes depending on your requirements.
Watersports in Wye Valley
YHA Wye Valley is the perfect stop off point if you're paddling from Hereford to Monmouth. The hostel even has its own canoe launch next to the riverside campsite.
Perrygrove Railway
See the Forest of Dean in style with a train ride through the woods. Look out for the family-friendly Treetop Adventure play area on your journey. Visit the website
Facilities
General
- Basic food shop
- Cot available
- Cycle store
- Free wi-fi
- Garden / grounds
Essentials
- Drying room
- Laundry
- Lounge
Entertainment
- Board games
- Games room
- Library/Quiet room
- TV
Accommodation options
- Private rooms available
- Camping and Cabins
Food & drink
- Dining room
- Group catering available
- Licensed bar
- Meals available
- Self-catering kitchen (currently closed)
Transportation & parking
- Parking
Other YHA products
- Trade bookings
- YHA Exclusive Hire
- YHA School Trips
Need to know
Check in: 17.00 - 22.00
Check out: Before 10.00
Towels and toiletries: Towels and toiletries are not provided but are available to hire or purchase from reception. Bedding is supplied.
Parking: YHA Wye Valley has free parking on site. The hostel is situated 1.5 miles from the nearest village and the wonderful, unique location of the place is part of its alluring charm. Please be aware that it can only be reached by a single track lane, the last 800 metres of which are narrow and steep with a sharp bend and an uneven road surface. It is accessible to all cars, vans and minibuses but coaches and larger vehicles will need to arrange alternative drop off points direct with the hostel.
Open every day?: From 1st March to 31st October YHA Wye Valley is open during weekends and school holidays for families and individual travellers. From Monday - Thursday the hostel is open for group bookings. From 1st November until 28th February YHA Wye Valley is open for group bookings and YHA Exclusive Hire. Beds and rooms may become available three months prior to the travelling date so please check the website for more information.
Pets: Dogs can stay on our campsite and in our bell tents. There is a £5 charge per dog per night for our bell tent accommodation which is payable upon arrival. You can bring your dog for free if you are camping in your own tent. Pets are not permitted in the hostel accommodation at YHA Wye Valley however, assistance dogs are welcome throughout, please advise upon booking.
Breakfast: Breakfast is served from 7.30am until 9am.
YHA Wye Valley - Access Statement
(PDF download - 58.46 KB)
YHA Exclusive Hire
Invite all your family and friends along to YHA Wye Valley and hire the whole property to yourself. To do so visit the YHA Exclusive Hire website. Open for bookings from the autumn half term to the Easter holidays.
YHA School Trips
YHA Wye Valley is a brilliant place to visit for an active, outdoor education-led school trip. Set in the centre of 25 acres of land on the banks of the River Wye, this hostel is primed for activity breaks - it even has its own canoe landing station! The hostel has room for up to 78 people, provides meals, a library and a lounge.
Visit the YHA School Trips website for more information.
Volunteering
We are very grateful for all of the help and support that our generous volunteers give to YHA. We are proud of our “Investors in Volunteering” accreditation and have a wide range of opportunities available across the country, all of which will provide great learning or social experiences and help us to create even more opportunities for young people.
Volunteering is a great way to meet people, visit new places, gain experiences and have fun. Full details of all of our various volunteering programmes can be found on the Volunteering website.
At YHA Wye Valley we offer the following volunteering opportunities subject to availability:
Please contact [email protected] or call 01629 592562 for more information.
