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Everyone
can now enjoy the breathtaking views of the Wye Valley from
the Symonds
Yat viewpoint at Yat
Rock, thanks to a new all-ability access route to the
famous historic site.
Mark
Harper, MP for the Forest of Dean and Shadow Minister for
Disabled People opened the new easy access route up to the
Symonds Yat view point on Wednesday, 8 April.
The
new path is part of the Overlooking the Wye scheme funded
by a £2.8million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)
within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
(AONB) The scheme is supported by the partner organizations,
including the Forestry Commission who manage Symonds Yat
Rock as part of its national forest estate, Gloucestershire
County Council Archaeology Service, Natural England and
English Heritage. The
work, completed through the Overlooking the Wye scheme has
enabled access for people of all abilities to this beautiful
and fascinating site.
The
250,000 people a year that come to Symonds Yat Rock to appreciate
the views from the cliff top, will now be able to appreciate
the ancient history of the site as well.
As
a scheduled monument, Symonds
Yat Rock is a nationally important site. The extensive
ramparts of the Iron Age Hillfort, built between 2600 and
2100 years ago encloses the cliff top above the Wye Valley.
The
Forestry Commission and Gloucestershire CC Archaeology service
have carried out a programme of archaeological conservation
works at the impressive Iron Age earthworks that will protect
this scheduled monument for many years to come.
The
site has been at risk in the past from erosion from the
thousands of pairs of feet that walk up and down the site
every year but the improved path will remove the need for
people to walk on ramparts.
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