Wye Valley Woodlands - Whitestone, near Chepstow

Historic viewpoints overlooking the dramatic Wye gorge and river

What's here

Dogs welcome
Parking (free)
Picnic area
Play area
Walking trail

Coronavirus update

Our sites and most visitor facilities are open but, under the current coronavirus restrictions in Wales, this is intended only for the use of people who live locally.

You are strongly advised – in line with current Welsh Government regulations – not to drive to any of our sites to exercise unless you have specific health or mobility issues.

We have changed the normal route for some of our trails to help you maintain social distancing – please follow signs on site.

Welcome

There’s a choice of two walks from the car park at Whitestone but they both go past three historic viewpoints overlooking the dramatic Wye gorge and river.

The poet Wordsworth wrote “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” near the top viewpoint.

There are a couple of picnic benches and a large grassy play area next to the car park.

The Wye Valley Walk, a long distance route, passes through Whitestone.

Wye Valley woodlands

The woodlands of the lower Wye Valley are some of the most beautiful in Britain.

Every season brings something special: bluebells in spring, lush summer leaves, fantastic autumn colour, and the beauty of winter tree silhouettes.

Historic viewpoints offer spectacular views across the Wye gorge and river, across to the Bristol Channel and the old Severn Bridge. You can enjoy these great views year-round but especially in winter, when the leaves have fallen.

The breath-taking natural scenery here has enthralled visitors for centuries, including painters and poets from Turner to Wordsworth.

Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The woodlands are situated in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The AONB is an internationally important protected landscape straddling the border between England and Wales.

It surrounds a 58 mile stretch of the River Wye which is recognised for its spectacular gorge scenery, ravine woodlands and farmland.

Find out more about the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Videos about the Wye Valley

Walking trails

The walking trails are waymarked and start from the car park.

Wonders of Whitestone

1¼ miles/2 kilometres, easy

The Wonders of Whitestone Trail takes in three viewpoints over the Wye Valley, each with a bench.

This circular trail returns through an attractive mix of woodlands.

Duchess Ride Viewpoint Trail

4 miles/6 kilometres, easy

The first part of this route takes you past the three viewpoints on the Wonders of Whitestone Trail.

It then continues along the Wye Valley Walk, through an avenue of huge Scots Pine trees, to the Duchess Ride viewpoint.

The bench at the viewpoint makes a great picnic spot before you retrace your steps back to Whitestone car park.

Other routes

Wyndcliff Wood is the gateway to the famous Eagles Nest lookout, one of the best viewpoints in the Wye Valley.

Wye Valley Walk

The Wye Valley Walk passes through Whitestone.

This is a 136 mile long distance walk along the River Wye between Chepstow and Hafren Forest in Mid Wales.

For more information, see the Wye Valley Walk.

Closures and diversions

Please note:

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or forest operations
Occasionally we may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff
Please always follow any instructions onsite and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs in place

How to get here

Location

Whitestone Wood is approximately 10 miles north of Chepstow off the A466.

It is in the county of Monmouthshire.

Car parking is free of charge.

Download the location map.

Directions

From the village of Tintern follow signs for Catbrook at the junction adjacent to the Wye Valley Hotel. Follow this road for about two and a half miles to a T junction and the entrance to Whitestone car park is opposite. Follow the forest road up to the car park.