Forest of Dean & Wye Valley – Autumn Walking Break

Meeting Locations & Times

Our autumn walking break begins at the Premier Inn Monmouth, where you can check in from 15:00 on Monday.

Your Large Outdoors guide will meet everyone in the hotel bar from 18:00 for introductions and a chat about the walking days ahead.

Hotel address:

Premier Inn Monmouth
Portal Road
Monmouth
NP25 5FP

Travelling by Train

Chepstow railway station is the most convenient station for guests using our complimentary collection service.

We offer a free group collection from Chepstow on Monday afternoon, so there's no need to arrange your own transport from the station to the hotel.

Station Pickups

Our complimentary collection from Chepstow railway station is at 17:00 on Monday.

You can request this during booking or contact Large Outdoors afterwards to arrange it.

Station collections must be booked in advance, at least seven days before departure.

Travelling by Car & Parking

Parking is available at the Premier Inn Monmouth.

If you're driving, you can make your own way to the hotel and meet the group in the bar from 18:00.

Transport During the Trip

All transport between our hotel and the walking routes is included throughout the break.

Your guide will take care of the driving and arrangements, so you can relax and enjoy exploring the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

Ferries & Boat Transfers

There are no scheduled ferry or boat transfers on this walking break.

Departure & Return Travel

On Thursday, we aim to finish between 15:00 and 17:00, depending on the day's walking route and conditions.

We'll return to Monmouth following our final walk, with a complimentary drop-off at Chepstow railway station between 16:00 and 17:00 for guests travelling by train.

If you're travelling home by public transport, we recommend booking a flexible or open return ticket to allow for any changes to our finishing time.

Important Travel Information

Please arrange your Chepstow station collection at least seven days before departure.

There are no additional travel requirements or arrangements for this walking break.

Accommodation Location

We'll be staying for three nights at the Premier Inn Monmouth, conveniently located in the historic market town of Monmouth, with shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants nearby.

Hotel address:

Premier Inn Monmouth
Portal Road
Monmouth
NP25 5FP

Accommodation Type

Our accommodation is a comfortable hotel, providing a convenient base for exploring the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

You'll have your own room or a shared room, depending on the option selected when booking.

Bedrooms & Sleeping Arrangements

All accommodation is in standard hotel bedrooms, with comfortable beds and en-suite facilities.

There are no bunk beds.

Room Options

The following room options may be available, subject to availability when booking:

• Shared Female Room – Share a room with another female guest.

• Shared Male Room – Share a room with another male guest.

• Twin Room – For two guests booking together who prefer separate beds.

• Double Room – For two guests booking together who are happy to share a bed.

• Sole Occupancy Room – A private room for one guest.

Bathrooms

All bedrooms have private en-suite bathrooms, so you won't need to share bathroom facilities with other rooms.

Bedding & Towels

All bedding and towels are provided by the hotel, so there's no need to bring your own.

Tea and coffee-making facilities are also available in the bedrooms.

Breakfast

Breakfast is included on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

Breakfast is provided at the hotel before we head out for our walks.

Please let us know about any dietary requirements when booking.

Packed Lunches

Packed lunches are not included in the trip price.

You'll need a packed lunch for each of our three walking days. There are shops in Monmouth where you can purchase supplies before setting off.

We also recommend bringing snacks and a reusable water bottle.

Evening Meals

Evening meals are not included in the trip price.

On Monday evening, we'll aim to arrange a sociable group meal at a local pub or restaurant, giving everyone a chance to get to know one another.

We'll also have opportunities to enjoy dinner together on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings after our days exploring the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

Everyone simply pays for their own food and drinks.

Accommodation & Meals

Included:

• 3 nights' hotel accommodation at Premier Inn Monmouth

• Breakfast on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings

Not included:

• Packed lunches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

• Evening meals and drinks

Guiding & Support

Included:

• Experienced Large Outdoors walking guide throughout the break

• 3 days of guided walking exploring the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley

• Walking routes planned and organised by your guide

Transport & Transfers

Included:

• Complimentary collection from Chepstow railway station at 17:00 on Monday, when booked in advance

• Transport between the hotel and our walking locations throughout the break

• Return transfer to Chepstow railway station on Thursday, if required

Not included:

• Travel to your chosen meeting point at the start of the break

• Onward travel from Monmouth or Chepstow at the end of the break

Additional Costs & Exclusions

Not included:

• Personal travel or activity insurance

• Optional activities or excursions not included in the itinerary

• Personal purchases and other expenses during the break

This Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Autumn Walking Break is graded Leisurely.

We'll enjoy three days of guided walking at a relaxed, sociable pace, with plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs, admire the autumn colours and enjoy the scenery.

Our walks are approximately 8–10 miles on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 6–8 miles on Thursday.

Terrain & Conditions

The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley offers a varied landscape of ancient woodland, riverside paths, rolling hills and countryside trails.

We'll follow a mixture of woodland tracks, grassy footpaths, riverside trails and sections of established walking routes, including the Offa's Dyke Path.

Although much of the walking is relatively gentle, there are some climbs and descents, particularly around Symonds Yat Rock and Devil's Pulpit. Paths can be uneven, muddy or slippery, especially after autumn rainfall.

Fitness & Experience

You don't need to be an experienced walker, but you should be comfortable walking up to 10 miles over the course of a day, including some hills and uneven woodland paths.

We'll walk together at a steady pace, allowing time for breaks, photographs and enjoying the surroundings rather than rushing to finish.

A reasonable level of walking fitness and some experience of longer countryside walks will help you get the most from this break.

Walking Clothing & Footwear

The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley offers a mixture of woodland trails, riverside paths and rolling countryside. As we're visiting in November, paths may be muddy, wet or slippery with fallen leaves.

We recommend bringing:

• Comfortable, waterproof walking boots or walking shoes with good grip.

• A waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers.

• Comfortable walking trousers or leggings.

• Warm layers, such as a fleece or insulated jacket.

• Walking socks.

• A warm hat and gloves for chilly autumn mornings.

• An extra warm layer for stops and exposed viewpoints.

What to Carry on Walks

You'll need a comfortable day rucksack for carrying your essentials during our walks.

We suggest packing:

• A packed lunch and snacks for each walking day.

• A reusable water bottle.

• Any personal medication you may need.

• A fully charged mobile phone.

• A small personal first aid kit.

• Sunglasses and sun cream, depending on the weather.

• A waterproof cover or dry bag to keep belongings dry.

Clothing for Accommodation

The Premier Inn provides bedding and towels, so there's no need to bring these.

Pack comfortable clothes and footwear for relaxing at the hotel and joining the group for evening meals in Monmouth. There's no dress code.

Trip-Specific Extras

We'll be exploring the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley during autumn, so a few extras may be particularly useful:

• A camera or phone for capturing the autumn woodland colours, riverside scenery and views from Symonds Yat and Devil's Pulpit.

• A small torch or headtorch, useful during the shorter November days and darker evenings.

• Binoculars if you enjoy watching birds and wildlife.

• A spare pair of walking socks, particularly useful if conditions are wet.

• A waterproof bag for protecting spare clothing and valuables from rain.

Full Kit List

We've put together a useful walking kit list to help you prepare for your holiday.

View our full walking kit list here →

Booking Confirmation

Once you've booked, you'll receive a confirmation email with your booking details and our full booking terms.

Deposits & Balance Payments

If you've paid a deposit, we'll automatically email you a reminder when your remaining balance is due. Balances are normally due 12 weeks before departure.

Your Trip WhatsApp Group

Ahead of your trip, we'll invite you to join a dedicated WhatsApp group for your holiday.

It's a great way to say hello to your fellow walkers, ask questions and get to know everyone before you arrive. Most of our guests join us on their own, so it's a nice way to break the ice.

Joining is entirely optional.

Final Details

A couple of days before departure, we'll send you a final reminder with your guide or host's name and contact number, along with any important last-minute information.

Keeping Up to Date

Everything you need to plan your trip, including meeting locations, times, accommodation and travel arrangements, is provided on this page.

We recommend checking back here from time to time before departure, as we'll update the page if any arrangements change. You don't need to wait for your final email to organise your travel.

Can I join this walking break on my own?

Absolutely! Most people who join Large Outdoors book on their own, so you'll be in good company. Our breaks are designed to be friendly and sociable, with plenty of opportunities to get to know your fellow walkers.

How is this different from your regular Forest of Dean & Wye Valley weekend?

This is an extended three-night midweek break, giving us three full days of walking rather than the two days offered on our regular weekend.

It's also timed for autumn, when the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley are particularly colourful. We'll have more time to explore the woodland, riverside paths and historic landmarks at a relaxed pace.

I've never been on a guided walking break before. Is this suitable?

Yes! Our guide takes care of the routes, transport and arrangements, leaving you free to enjoy the walking and company.

You don't need previous experience of guided walking holidays, but you should be comfortable walking up to 10 miles in a day, including some hills and uneven paths.

Will we see the autumn colours?

Early November is often a lovely time to enjoy the changing colours of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, with woodland turning shades of yellow, orange and copper.

However, the timing and intensity of autumn colours vary each year depending on the weather, so we can't guarantee exactly how the trees will look during our visit.

Will we visit Tintern Abbey?

Yes, our planned final-day walk begins around Tintern Abbey and includes views of the historic ruins from the surrounding countryside.

Our itinerary focuses on walking and exploring the landscape, rather than a formal guided tour of the abbey. Entry to the abbey itself is not included.

Can I skip a walk if I don't feel up to it?

Yes, you're welcome to take a day off from walking and enjoy some free time in Monmouth. Just let your guide know in advance.

Please bear in mind that our transport follows the planned walking itinerary, so alternative arrangements may be at your own expense.

Can I come with a friend or partner?

Of course! You're very welcome to book together. We offer double and twin rooms for guests travelling together, as well as shared and sole occupancy options, subject to availability.

Will there be time to explore Monmouth?

Yes. We'll be staying in Monmouth for all three nights, so there'll be opportunities to explore its historic streets, independent shops and cafés.

We'll also aim to enjoy relaxed group meals in local pubs or restaurants during the evenings, although you're welcome to make your own arrangements.

What happens if the weather is poor or the River Wye is flooded?

We normally walk in a range of weather conditions, so come prepared with waterproofs and warm layers.

River levels can rise after heavy rainfall, particularly during autumn. If flooding, strong winds or slippery paths make a planned route unsuitable, your guide will choose an appropriate alternative.

Our priority is to enjoy three good days of walking while keeping everyone safe and comfortable.