AbergavennyVISIT & surrounding areas The Mayor’s Welcome This town of ours never fails to amaze me. In June/July we have our Festival of Cycling which attracts athletes from all over the world, including Over the past few years the warmth of the welcome household names from the Olympics and World and quality of our facilities have gone from strength to Championships. strength. In August/September the town plays host to the Wall In 2016 the town pulled out all the stops after being to Wall Jazz Festival, using local venues both large and selected to host the National Eisteddfod, after a gap of small, growing in popularity, it has a great future. one hundred and three years. Nearly 150,000 people from all over the United Kingdom and other Countries National awards galore have been given to our local visited us, many staying for over a week, and many are Hotels and Restaurants well deserved for their fine now coming back to spend some quality time in a town efforts over the years. they found so delightful. The thriving town is surrounded by mountains and Abergavenny is renowned for Festivals, our Food Festival countryside, known for it safe walking and wonderful in September attracts over thirty thousand visitors to views. I am often asked when on holiday why are you join many Celebrity Chefs and food experts for two days here when you live in such a magnificent area. of ‘Gourmet Delight’. This event is repeated on a slightly smaller scale at Christmas time. Enjoy your stay, study our history so well displayed throughout the town, enjoy top class accommodation, In May the Steam Rally brings thousands of enthusiasts fine food and drink, along with good shopping. You will to Bailey Park a central venue two minutes walk into the surely wish to come back. town. Cllr. Chris Woodhouse Mayor of Abergavenny The Abergavenny Tourist Information Centre The Tithe Barn, Monk Street, Abergavenny NP7 5ND Tel: 01873 853254 Email: [email protected] As a fully networked ‘Visit Wales’ Centre, the centre offers a full range of services including the Bed Booking service both locally and nationally and a wide range of free literature about Wales, adjoining areas of England and the National Park. Friendly helpful staff are on hand to help with public transport enquiries, detailed walking advice and local attractions. Visitors to the Information Centre can purchase a wide range of maps, guides, books about the area and local souvenirs and food as well as a small range of walking /outdoor equipment. Opening hours: 10am - 4pm during Summer / For Winter opening hours, please call or view the TIC website. http://www.visitabergavenny.co.uk 2 Abergavenny Tourist Guide 2017/18 Contents & Acknowledgements Brochure Index Acknowledgements The information contained in this brochure is The Mayor’s Welcome / Abergavenny TIC 2 believed to be correct at the time of going to Things to do whilst in Abergavenny 4 press. Redline Boats 5 The Abergavenny & District Tourist Association Abergavenny Garden Centre 6 cannot accept responsibilities for any errors or Mugby’s 7 omissions. Abergavenny Food Festival 8 Acknowledgements Blaenavon World Heritage Site 10 We would like to take this opportunity of Brecon Beacons 12 thanking everyone for their necessary support which helps us to produce and distribute Dan-Yr-Ogof Caves 13 this brochure, through donations, private Shops & Businesses 14 subscriptions and funding from the Abergavenny Activities & Attractions 18 Town Council. The Angel Bakery 23 Thanks to the following: Frank Olding, Ruth Town Map 24 Powell, Oliver Barton & Irena Morgan for their Where to Stay - Symbol Legend 26 contributions. Where to Stay - Hotels & Inns 27 Cover illustration: Mal Humphreys. Where to Stay - B&B / Guest Houses 29 Where to Stay - Farm & Country Houses 30 Brochure design by I-Pixel Design. Where to Stay - Caravan & Camping 31 Where to Stay - Self Catering 32 Where to Stay - Groups 37 Exploring Abergavenny’s Outdoor Gems 38 Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Hotels 40 Eating & Drinking - Restaurants & Cafes 42 Webbs 45 Events 46 http://www.visitabergavenny.co.uk 3 Abergavenny Tourist Guide 2017/18 Whilst taking your trip up to Abergavenny Your To Do List..... Take a walk up the Sugar Loaf Mountain. OS grid ref:SO272187 Make a trip through the Llanthony Valley - visit the Priory, Partrishow Church, Capel –Y Ffin, maybe the Nature Reserve. Explore one of our many castles www.cadw.gov.wales Eat..... described previously as probably one of the best post codes outside London...... sumptuous award winning afternoon teas, quality locally sourced pub food and fine accoladed dining. Experience life down a coalmine at Big Pit www. museum.wales/bigpit and Blaenavon World Heritage Site. www.visitblaenavon.co.uk Be fascinated at Abergavenny Museum with their ever changing world class exhibitions www. abergavennymuseum.co.uk Stroll along the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal www.mbact.org.uk Get on a bike in a world renowned cycling area www. sustrans.org.uk 4 http://www.visitabergavenny.co.uk Abergavenny Tourist Guide 2017/18 http://www.visitabergavenny.co.uk 5 Abergavenny Tourist Guide 2017/18 Events in Abergavenny & Surrounding Area 2016 http://www.visitabergavenny.co.uk 6 Abergavenny Tourist Guide 2017/18 http://www.visitabergavenny.co.uk 7 Abergavenny Tourist Guide 2017/18 Activities & Attractions - Abergavenny Food Festival Abergavenny Food Festival Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September If you haven’t been before, be sure not to miss Throughout the day the castle grounds are another Abergavenny Food Festival. It is one of transformed into a hub for creativity and fun with the few events in Wales where Welsh produce storytelling and live music tucked in between is celebrated alongside some of the biggest street food vendors, open all hours of the day for names in the world of food. Guest speakers last those of a hungry disposition. On the Saturday year included Monica Galetti, José Pizarro and evening the day of celebration comes to a climax Cyrus Todiwala and this year promises to be just with a fantastic party of food, live music and a as star studded. spectacular firework display (individually ticketed). Voted ‘The Best Event in Wales’ (People’s In addition to the main market offerings, Choice Awards) it is renowned for its vibrant Abergavenny is unique for its special events. There atmosphere, welcoming over 30,000 visitors to are individually ticketed Masterclasses, Tutored the Welsh Borders for a weekend of feasting and Tastings and Talks, hosted by some of the most castle parties. talented, knowledgeable and exciting specialists in the field. In addition, wristband holders are treated The array of markets and producers is so vast to a rolling programme of chef demonstrations in that they spill into the streets of the historic town, the Market Hall. offering delights for every taste. From artisan cheeses, to organic vegetables and uniquely Wristband tickets give entry to the main markets distilled gins. There’s something to tempt all of and the castle, all children under 16 go free with your senses. a paying adult. Join us to celebrate this award winning atmosphere and to be stimulated by There are venues all around the town - situated sounds, tastes and smells, invite your friends and close together - including the famously beautiful family or come alone and be warmly welcomed by Victorian Market Hall which every year takes the Welsh hospitality. on a new character with annual themed decorations, created by theatre designer Some of the headline event tickets will go on sale Bettina Reeves and Arts Alive. in May with the full programme available at the beginning of July. For families and children, there’s a tailor made Food Academy on the ancient castle grounds, For the full ingredients visit for budding mini cooks to pick up tips from some abergavennyfoodfestival.com and sign up to the of the great chefs who attend the Festival. newsletter to get the latest news and updates from the Festival. “Family fun, scrumptious food and top chefs are all waiting for you at this year’s food festival” http://www.visitabergavenny.co.uk 8 Abergavenny Tourist Guide 2017/18 Activities & Attractions - Abergavenny Food Festival http://www.visitabergavenny.co.uk 9 Abergavenny Tourist Guide 2017/18 Gweithgareddau ac Atyniadau - Safle Treftadaeth Byd BLAENAVON WORLD HERITAGE SITE SAFLE TREFTADAETH BYD BLAENAFON Dewch i grwydro Safle Treftadaeth y Byd Blaenafon – gem yng nghoron Cymoedd De Cymru; mae’r safle 33 cilomedr sgwâr hwn yn gartref i ystod eang o atyniadau, gweithgareddau a digwyddiadau y gall y teulu oll eu mwynhau, a’r cyfan wedi eu lleoli o fewn 5 munud i’w gilydd, gyda mwyafrif yr atyniadau yn cynnig mynediad AM DDIM! Blaenafon (sy’n golygu ffynhonnell yr afon) oedd man geni’r Chwyldro Diwydiannol. Rhoddwyd Statws Safle Treftadaeth y Byd i’r Dref a’i Thirwedd Ddiwydiannol gan UNESCO yn 2000 am y rôl flaenllaw a chwaraewyd gan yr ardal yn y Chwyldro Diwydiannol yn ystod y 19eg ganrif. Y lle perffaith i gychwyn eich ymweliad yw Canolfan Treftadaeth y Byd Blaenafon, sydd wedi ei lleoli mewn dwy o hen ysgolion diwydiannol sydd wedi eu hadfer yn fendigedig. Cafodd yr ysgolion eu hadeiladu gan yr Haearn feistri ar ddechrau’r 19eg ganrif. Bydd staff yr arddangosfa a staff y Ganolfan Croeso yn cyflwyno’r atyniadau a’r gweithgareddau yn yr ardal i ymwelwyr, a gellir eu cyrraedd naill ai mewn car neu ar droed. Chwilotwch drwy’r arddangosion rhyngweithiol i weld pam yr arferai’r ardal fod yn lleoliad perffaith i’r diwydiant haearn ffynnu ynddi. Mae’r atyniadau yn cynnwys Gwaith Haearn Blaenafon, a adeiladwyd ym 1789, ac fe allwch weld olion helaeth y ffwrneisi chwyth, tai bwrw a’r Tŵr Cydbwyso Dŵr sydd wedi cael ei adfer mewn ffordd drawiadol.