Wye Valley, Protected natural area in Monmouthshire, Great Britain.
The Wye Valley follows the River Wye for about 136 miles through limestone gorges and native woodlands from the Cambrian Mountains to its mouth at the Severn Estuary near Chepstow. The protected area includes steep wooded slopes, river meanders, and cave systems within the limestone rock.
Archaeological findings in caves document human settlement from around 12,000 years ago during the Palaeolithic period. The region was later settled and fortified as border territory between England and Wales.
The river drew travelers in the 18th century who sketched its banks and looked for scenic views. This early form of organized nature observation shaped how people experience and value landscape.
The Wye Valley Walk offers numerous access points along the river for hiking, canoeing, and wildlife watching. Water levels can vary greatly after rainfall and affect access to some riverside sections.
Limestone formations in the Woolhope area contain Silurian period fossils showing traces of a tropical sea that covered the region around 430 million years ago. The fossilized sea creatures are visible in rock faces and quarries.
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