Picnic Tables

A proper vantage point overlooking the Wye Valley, Picnic Tables delivers exactly what it promises - a spot to pull over, stretch your legs, and take in the landscape without faffing about. It's the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan a day around, though if you're staying at Forest and Wye Valley Caravan and Camping Site just 3.9 miles away, it makes a decent escape from the caravan.

The views across the valley are straightforward and genuine. You get the rolling countryside spread out before you, the kind of thing that justifies bringing a flask and a sandwich. On a clear day it's worth the stop. Overcast days less so - the whole affair loses its punch a bit.

This works best for walkers passing through the area rather than car-bound tourists. If you've got kids expecting thrills and entertainment, they'll be bored stiff after ten minutes. But if you're someone who enjoys standing still and looking at things without a gift shop attached, you'll appreciate the no-nonsense approach. Free, accessible, and unpretentious - which is refreshing when so much of the Wye Valley has become packaged for tourists.

Allow twenty minutes if you're just passing. An hour if you've brought lunch and want to actually sit. The nearby Hawthorne Cottage site is another reasonable base if you're planning a longer stay in the area.