St Briavels is 600 feet above the Wye, with fine valley views. King John’s Hunting Lodge was founded in the 12th century and re-built in the 13th century. It was the residence of the King’s Constable, but is now a Youth Hostel, and the castle’s moat is dry, with a garden growing in it. The Church of St Mary the Virgin, standing on a Celtic site, is 11th century. The Norman south aisle remains, along with a Norman font. Inside the door there is a record of all the vicars since 1357. In May the village keeps up the ancient tradition of an annual ceremony in which bread and cheese are thrown from the Church wall. If locals eat a piece, they are entitled to cut wood from the Hudnalls nearby.