Saracens Head

Even on a miserable winter's day, this friendly pub is packed out with happy customers. But of course, one of the main draws in summer is its stunning position at the epicentre of the most scenic stretch of the Wye gorge, far below the celebrated Symonds Yat viewpoint; picnic-sets out on the waterside terrace look across the river. Inside it's warm and relaxed with cheerful staff who make you feel at home and the bustling bar has a buoyant atmosphere. Kingstone Gold, Mayfields Copper Fox, Theakstons Old Peculier, Wye Valley Butty Bach and HPA and a guest beer on handpump, 14 wines by the glass and local cider. Pool, games machine, TV and piped music. There's also a cosy lounge and a modernised bare-boards dining room. As well as bedrooms in the main building, there are two contemporary ones in the boathouse annexe. It's well worth approaching this spot on foot: an entertaining riverside walk crosses the Wye a little downstream by an entertainingly bouncy wire bridge at the Biblins and recrosses at the pub by the long-extant hand-hauled chain ferry that one of the pub staff operates. Plenty of nearby walks.