You could just relax and eat at the cottage – BBQ, or cook, or pick up a takeaway. If you have time, there’s a lovely walk along the towpath to Gilwern where you can buy fish and chips or have supper at The Towpath Inn. It’s roughly 6 miles, there and back.
There are great days out to be had at Blaenavon World Heritage Site, Big Pit, Blaenavon Heritage Railway, Blaenavon Ironworks and our many heritage sites such as Raglan Castle, Tintern Abbey, Llanthony Priory and Tredegar House.
Closer to home, Abergavenny is just a 20-minute stroll (or 5 minute drive), and has a large market every Saturday. Head across the river Usk, then turn right into Castle Meadows where there’s an information panel showing the paths. The shortest route into the town centre is to follow the path to the left, towards the trees. Keep walking and you’ll come to a car park; walk through this and take the path uphill. At the top, turn right and the pubs, cafes and shops are on your left, while the castle is straight ahead. Some of our favourite independent retailers are Cooks Galley, Chesters Wine Merchants, That’s Lovely That, Amanda Jayne Shoes, Alison Tod Milliner, Little Green Refills and Nicholls.
Abergavenny Museum is housed in a Regency hunting lodge within the grounds of the ruined Norman castle, where there are benches for a picnic and wonderful views of the Usk valley. St Mary’s Priory Church, which has been described as the ‘Westminster Abbey of Wales’, has a fine collection of historic monuments and the 15th century Jesse Tree which survived the Reformation. There’s also a leisure centre, independent cinema, and two entertainment venues – the Borough Theatre and the Melville Centre for the Arts.
For supper, choose one of the lovely restaurants in Abergavenny, such as Pizzorante, Casa Bianca, The Angel Hotel or The Kings Arms. For a special occasion, book a table at The Walnut Tree or The Hardwick.
Enjoy a leisurely start with breakfast in the garden or your cosy cottage. Enjoy the 1.5 mile circular walk which starts at the cottage door, and is accessible by wheelchairs / scooters / buggies. Walk down Church Lane, cross the main road and turn left onto the former railway line; after roughly ½ mile take a zig-zag path on your left to reach the towpath, then turn left and head back to your cottage. Follow this with a delicious Sunday lunch at The Crown at Pantygelli, The Vine Tree in Llangattock, or Y Bwyty Bach in Tretower.
If you’re keen to explore further afield, hire a day boat on the Mon & Brec canal at Llangattock, taking a picnic or stopping at a canalside pub for lunch. For a challenge, bring your bikes or hire them from Route 46 ebike Hire, and tackle the notorious climb up the Tumble to the summit of the Blorenge mountain. For something less steep, take a ride along the former railway line which starts at the bottom of our hill and goes through Clydach Gorge to Brynmawr. If mountain biking is more your thing, head to Dirt Farm for amazing trails and stunning views. End the day with supper in the cottage and a good film, or head into Abergavenny for supper at one of the restaurants.
