Symonds Yat Rock

Symonds Yat Rock is a celebrated viewpoint high above a great horseshoe bend of the River Wye, on the Herefordshire side of the Wye Valley. The wooded gorge, the river far below and the buzzards and peregrines wheeling over the valley make it one of the most spectacular outlooks in the Midlands. The viewpoint and car park are managed by Forestry England, and it is extremely popular, so expect crowds at the log-cabin cafe and the railed overlook. The big caution here is wildlife: the RSPB runs a peregrine watch at the Rock because the birds nest on Coldwell Rocks directly opposite, and flying a drone near the cliffs during the breeding season would disturb a protected species and is strongly discouraged. Take off and land away from the crowded viewpoint and never fly toward the nesting crags. There is no airport restriction zone here. Parking is pay and display and fills quickly on fine days. If you fly at all, do so out of the peregrine season, early in the day when the site is quiet, keeping well clear of people, the cafe and the river traffic below, and prioritise the birds over the shot.