Bigsweir Bridge

The River Wye curves dramatically beneath this Victorian cast-iron span, and that's really the whole appeal - it's the view that matters here, not the crossing itself. Built in 1862, Bigsweir Bridge sits on the Gloucestershire-Monmouthshire border near Lydney, where the river has carved a proper gorge through the Forest of Dean landscape.

This is essentially a walk-to-and-photograph spot rather than a destination in its own right. The bridge itself is functional rather than fancy - a single-span iron construction that does its job without fuss. What makes it worth the trip is the riverside setting. The water beneath flows in a dramatic bend, and the surrounding woodland closes in tight, creating a moody, atmospheric little scene that photographs well in any light.

Walkers will get the most from this. The Wye Valley Walk passes through here, and it's a natural stopping point on a longer ramble rather than a standalone visit. Allow twenty minutes to half an hour to walk down, have a look, take photos, and head back. It's steep enough to warrant proper shoes, and the path can be muddy after rain.

If you're staying at Forest and Wye Valley Caravan and Camping Site, barely two miles away, or any of the other Forest of Dean campsites in the area, Bigsweir fits nicely into a day of riverside walks. Don't expect facilities - there's nothing here except the bridge itself. Go for the landscape, the relative solitude, and as a punctuation mark on a proper Forest of Dean walking day.