An updated version of this profile is online at nationalcharacterareas.co.uk. This pdf is retained for historical and completeness purposes.
The South Herefordshire and Over Severn National Character Area (NCA) stretches from the border with the Forest of Dean in the south, northwestwards to Ewyas Harold in South Herefordshire and north-eastwards to the southern point of the Malvern Hills. Between these two northern points the boundary curves northwards in an arc around the Woolhope Dome. Stunning panoramic views are available from Garway Hill in the west and May Hill in the south-east across the NCA and beyond to up to 12 counties on a clear day.
The meandering River Wye flows southwards through the centre of the area from Holme Lacy, with its celebrated parkland landscape in the north, to Goodrich, where one of the best examples of a Norman castle in England stands. Much of the course of the River Wye, popular with canoeists, and its adjacent flood plain, lies within the northern end of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) with 39 per cent of the AONB within this NCA and much of the remainder extending into Wales. The River Wye itself is internationally designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Further information