HEREFORDSHIRE has been featured on the BBC’s Escape to the Country series today as its presenter explored the Wye Valley area of outstanding natural beauty.

The programme sees former captain of the Great Britain wheelchair rugby team Steve Brown help house buyers who want to swap city living for a home in the country.

In today’s (March 21) episode, they looked at how the Wye Valley ­– which spans Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, and Gloucestershire – is a great place for those looking to explore the outdoors and a “faster pace” of life.

With a budget of £500,000 homebuyers Dan and Daniel were looking for a detached property with character, four bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen and diner, a utility, large garden and an hour from Bristol.

The show featured people canoeing and kayaking down the rapids of the river Wye and paddleboarding, rock climbing and walking were a few of the activities mentioned to the couple.

Brown took them to try canoeing out for themselves at Symonds Yat, near Ross-on-Wye, where the Great British kayaking team were practicing on the slalom.

“You can’t come to the Wye Valley without getting out on the river,” Brown said.

“Isn’t it great how inclusive the river is.”

The trio made their way down a popular nine-mile route while admiring the wildlife that resides in the area, such as kingfishers and otters.

“I tell you what, this is nice,” said Brown just before he spotted buzzards flying above them.

The company at Symonds Yat is open for canoeing, paddleboarding, kayaking, climbing, and abseiling between April and October, said Brown.

The programme finished with the couple settling for a life in the area.

“We can see ourselves settling here for sure,” they said.

“The proximity of the river, the forest, the mountains, the views, it has got so much to offer.”