The Saracens Head Inn in Symonds Yat, England

The Saracens Head Inn sits on the eastern bank of the River Wye in Symonds Yat East, offering direct access to outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, and cycling. The inn is a short walk from Symonds Yat Rock, a viewpoint overlooking the Wye Valley, and close to Goodrich Castle, a 12th-century fortress. Free parking is provided for guests, and the property lies within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with the Wye Valley Walk running past the door.

The hotel offers nine comfortable rooms, most with views of the River Wye; some rooms include a balcony or Juliet balcony for watching canoeists and the hand-pulled ferry. Each room features parquet floors, soundproofing, air-conditioning, and a private bathroom with fluffy towels and toiletries. Room 12 is a suite with a balcony and a fridge, while ground-floor rooms (Room 11 and the Boathouse room) provide easy access for guests with mobility concerns.

The inn's restaurant serves British, French, and Italian cuisines with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options, and uses locally sourced ingredients that change seasonally. Breakfast is cooked to order and includes a full English, fresh fruit salad, poached eggs with avocado, and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs - all made from fresh produce. The bar offers a fine selection of real ales, including the local Butty Bach, and the outdoor riverside terraces provide scenic seating for meals and drinks.

Guests can rent bicycles, go canoeing on the River Wye, or join guided walks along the Wye Valley Walk and Circular Walk from the inn. The hand-pulled ferry crossing (free for hotel guests) connects to the opposite bank, where a 5km circular path leads over a suspension bridge and back through woodland. The hotel also provides access to Puzzlewood (9 km), Wilton Castle (12 km), and St Briavel's Castle (15 km), with on-site canoeing, cycling, and hiking equipment available for use.

The inn is a family-run establishment that welcomes children and offers board games, puzzles, and a kids' menu in the restaurant. Pets are allowed, with the hotel providing pet-friendly rooms and outdoor seating areas where dogs can accompany guests. Free Wi-Fi, complimentary parking, and a relaxed atmosphere make it suitable for young families, while the picnic area and garden provide additional space for children to play.

Location: Directly on the River Wye in Symonds Yat East, 5 min walk to Symonds Yat Rock

Rooms: 9 rooms, most with river views, suites with balconies, ground-floor options available

Dining: Award-winning breakfast with locally sourced ingredients, seasonal menus, real ales

Activities: Free hand-pulled ferry, canoeing, cycling, hiking - all on-site or steps away

Family: Kids' menu, board games, pet-friendly rooms, picnic area and garden

Parking: Free parking for all guests, including accessible parking spaces