Autumn and winter are beautiful times to stay in our cottages. The red and gold leaves are reflected in the tree-lined canal, there's frost on the mountaintops and you can spot wildlife just outside your front door – from ducks on the water, to herons and red kites overhead. Here are other reasons to visit in these quieter seasons...
Step outside your cottage, and you’re on the side of the Blorenge. The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, which hugs the side of this mountain, is a popular spot for walking. Follow the towpath east or west for a leisurely stroll. For a more challenging walk, take the footpath straight up the Blorenge to the Punchbowl, a wooded glacial cwm containing a man-made lake.
It's a glorious time of year for budding photographers; why not improve your skills on a workshop run by landscape photographers such as Nigel Forster, Neil Mansfield and Dan Santillo.
Apparently, markets have been held in Abergavenny since at least the 13th century, and the tradition continues today. Traders set up stalls in and around the Market Hall - with its distinctive clock tower and verdigris roof – most days of the week. The busy general markets are on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, with specialist markets (e.g. antique fair, flea market, farmers’ market) on other dates. Check out the latest news on the Market Hall’s Facebook page.
The capital city of Cardiff is around 45 minutes away by car or train, so you can enjoy our rural cottages AND the bright lights! Each autumn there are rugby internationals at the Principality Stadium, ballet at St David’s Hall and drama and panto at the New Theatre. The iconic Wales Millennium Centre, which has the second largest stage in Europe, is a must-visit venue if you enjoy musicals, concerts or opera.
Light the wood burner, open a bottle of wine and snuggle up on the sofa with a long-anticipated book or your favourite person! Pick up something for supper from the market or local shops, or order a takeaway - we'll suggest a few! You'll find it's easy to unwind here.
For more suggestions to fill your autumn/winter break, visit our Explore page.
