THERE was a birthday celebration at Symonds Yat Rock last weekend, as the log cabin built nearby to welcome visitors turn­ed 60.

Heather Lilley from the Forestry Commission said: “The cabin was built by Forestry Commission staff in 1956, located prominently on the trail up to ‘the Rock’. It houses a café serving freshly made cakes, sandwiches and simple meals. There is very limited seating inside though ­– just a couple of tiny snug benches out of the rain.

“We celebrated with a birthday cake for the visitors who had come to the world famous viewpoint to admire the picturesque views of the River Wye, discover the ancient hill fort, spot birds of prey or enjoy a walk down to the Wye and back.

“Symonds Yat Rock is a fabulous place to visit in autumn as the forest turns golden. There’s an autumn activity trail to experience the spectacular sights and sounds of the season and a

woven woodland community canvas to make your mark with any natural materials you find on the forest floor.”

Karen Ireneus works in the cabin and said: “People who came on Saturday had a really good time. We’ve had a good year and the weather over the summer has meant that we’ve been busier than in the past couple of years. Using the Forest as a film location draws people in too.”