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Monmouthshire

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Rhondda Cynon Taf www.visitsouthernwales.org Vale of Monmouthshire is the Food Capital of and we have a smorgasbord of award-winning Contents food and drink attractions and culinary courses.

Ancre Hill Vineyard, Silver Circle Distillery, Humble by Nature, . NP25 5HS . NP16 6UL. Nr Monmouth. NP25 4RP Go on a guided tour, eat a Welsh cheese platter Meet the producers of Gin, find Based on a working farm in the Wye Valley. lunch or stay at our on-site accommodation. out how the gin is made and the locally Offers: Cookery, foraging & rural skills 04 06 Offers: Accommodation, Vineyard Tours, foraged botanicals that go into it classes, private dining. Gift Shop, Tastings Offers: Distillery tours and tastings, Distil www.humblebynature.com 01600 714152 your own gin courses [email protected] www.ancrehillestates.co.uk www.silvercircledistillery.com [email protected] [email protected] The Baker, Abergavenny. NP7 7PE Regional Overview Attractions Apple County Cider Co, Sugarloaf Vineyards, In her one day classes, baker Rachael near . NP25 5NS. Abergavenny. NP7 7LA Watson shares her knowledge, skill Taste award winning ciders with Ben This vineyard nestles amongst & enthusiasm for baking beautiful & buy homemade jams, cordials, local the rolling Welsh hills above Abergavenny. breads from around the world. ales, honey & ice creams. . Offers: Accommodation, Vineyard Tours, www.abergavennybaker.co.uk Offers: Tastings, shop, catering. Gift Shop, Tastings [email protected] www.applecountycider.co.uk www.sugarloafvineyard.co.uk 08 10 12 [email protected] [email protected] The Preservation Society, . NP16 5QW. Baa Brewery, Untapped Brewing Co, Learn how to make delicious jams, Chepstow. NP16 5PF Raglan. NP15 2BX. chutneys, pickles and sirops packed with Our expert brewers boast over Learn everything you need to know flavour in the heart of the Wye Valley. 35 years in the brewing industry. about our real ales and about us, www.thepreservationsociety.co.uk Offers: Tours & tastings (by appointment). Martyn and Owen, the two man [email protected] Activities Accommodation Refreshment Stops www.baabrewing.com team that creates them. [email protected] Offers: tours and tastings Wye Valley Meadery, www.untappedbrew.com Chepstow. NP16 5PF. Green & Jenks Gelato House, [email protected] We take pride in crafting the very best Monmouth. NP25 3DY mead. From the hive to your hand, we care Discover how we make our gelato (from White Vineyard, for it tenderly until we release it into the Monmouthshire milk) on our tasting tours. Abergavenny. NP7 8RA . world. Learn how to make mead / how to Offers: Tours & tasting. Catering. Afternoon Produces a variety of quality welsh wines. bees. 13 15 Tea. Delicious gelato. Visit & experience the beauty & tranquillity www.wyevalleymeadery.co.uk www.greenandjenks.com of our rural setting. [email protected] [email protected] Offers: Vineyard Tours, Gift Shop, Tastings www.whitecastlevineyard.com Kingstone Brewery, , [email protected] Explore Near Chepstow. NP16 7NX Monmouthshire Event Highlights Real ale that is unfiltered, uncompromised & unashamedly real. Courses for groups Offers: Tastings, Brewery Tours, Meals in Tintern Taproom Culinary Cottage, www.kingstonebrewery.co.uk Abergavenny. NP7 8DL. [email protected] Selection of residential and one day cookery courses, catering for students Parva Farm Vineyard, Tintern, of all abilities. 16 17 18 Near Chepstow. NP16 6SQ Offers: Half Day, Full Day and Multi-Day ’ oldest vineyard, overlooking cookery courses historic Tintern in the Wye Valley. www.theculinarycottage.co.uk Offers: Vineyard Tours, Gift Shop, Tastings [email protected] www.parvafarm.com [email protected] Maps & Travel Coach Parking Tour Guides Information

For more producers, pubs, restaurants and foodie events such as the Abergavenny Food Festival, go to www.visitmonmouthshire.com/food-and-drink Monmouthshire 3

Hello… Shwmae…. Bonjour….. Guten Tag…. Hallo… Dia duit Welcome (or Croeso as we prefer to say) to Southern Wales You may already have an idea what to expect from a trip to Southern Wales.

We are split into ten distinctive areas, each with their own character and charm. The areas of , , , Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf are well known for their history and heritage, whilst nearby Monmouthshire is more rural Discover Monmouthshire and famed for its fabulous food Nestled between the Brecon Beacons (all offering tours and tastings), and drink. Newport and are National Park and the Wye Valley as well as a wide range of high quality thriving cities with some world class Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, eating places - including traditional attractions whilst along Bridgend the stunning landscape will take your country pubs and cafés as well as and the is a mix breath away. So too will the majestic hotels offering award winning teas. For more information visit our website of coastal resorts, market towns and , dark starry skies, mountain There are also nationally acclaimed www.visitsouthernwales.org fabulous countryside. climbs, fabulous food and 360° views. restaurants, two of which are Michelin or contact the team: starred. We have plenty of castles and museums Situated on the Wales/ tel - +44 (0)1633 644842 but we also have a National Park, the border, this area was once fiercely With such great food on offer email - [email protected] start of the Wales Coast Path and an fought over. Thankfully it’s more it’s no surprise that we have our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. To order group travel brochures for other areas peaceful today, although reminders own internationally recognised of Southern Wales please contact of the past turmoil remain with Abergavenny Food Festival, held We also have some things you may +44 (0)845 6002639 or e-mail nine castles dotted across the annually in September. not associate with us. There are the [email protected] rolling countryside. remains of a Roman amphitheatre and Look out too for some hidden gems, barracks, vineyards producing award There are plenty of other historic including Dewstow Gardens (buried

Rhondda Cynon Taf winning wine and a great big sculpture, Bridgend County Cardiff buildings. Not least the romantic ruins under tons of earth for over 50 Blaenavon Group Travel Guide Group Travel Guide Group Travel Guide Blaenau Gwent Group Travel Guide soaring 20 metres into the sky and Group Travel Guide of and the restored years until being rediscovered and

Newport Caerphilly Monmouthshire Hall in Monmouth, scene of the restored), the Tithe Barn, home of standing guard over the Valleys below. Group Travel Guide Group Travel Guide Vale of Glamorgan Merthyr Tydfil Group Travel Guide Group Travel Guide Blaenau Gwent Group Travel Guide Blaenau Gwent Blaenavon Blaenau Gwent Blaenavon Blaenau Gwent Bridgend infamous Chartist trial of 1840. the Abergavenny Tapestry, and St

Blaenavon Bridgend Blaenavon Caerphilly Bridgend Caerphilly Bridgend Cardiff Blaenau Gwent Caerphilly Caerphilly Cardiff Each of our areas has its own guide. Merthyr Tydfil Bridgend Cardiff Merthyr Tydfil Cardiff Mary’s Priory Church with its historic Monmouthshire Caerphilly Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil Monmouthshire Newport Monmouthshire Monmouthshire Monmouthshire Newport You can’t visit this area without tasting Blaenau Gwent Blaenau Gwent Rhondda Cynon Taf Newport Blaenau Gwent Newport Newport Rhondda Cynon Taf So have a flick through this one and Blaenau Gwent Blaenavon Blaenavon Vale of Glamorgan e4438 Cardiff Council artwork for SW RhonddaGuide v3.indd Cynon 1 Taf Vale of Glamorgan Blaenavon Rhondda Cynon Taf Rhondda Cynon Taf Blaenavon monuments and medieval carvings. Bridgend Blaenau Gwent Bridgendwww.visitsouthernwales.orgwww.visitsouthernwales.org 18/09/2015 17:04 Vale of Glamorgan Bridgend Vale of Glamorgan Bridgend visitsouthernwales www. Caerphilly.org Caerphilly Blaenavon Caerphilly some of Wales’ best food and drink. Caerphilly Cardiff Cardiff Bridgend www.visitsouthernwales.org Cardiff then take a look at the companion Cardiff Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil Caerphilly Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil www.visitsouthernwales.org Monmouthshire Monmouthshire Cardiff Monmouthshire Monmouthshire Newport Newport Merthyr Tydfil Newport Known as the Food Capital of Wales, Newport Rhondda Cynon Taf Rhondda Cynon Taf Monmouthshire brochures and before long you’ll be Rhondda Cynon Taf Rhondda Cynon Taf Vale of Glamorgan Vale of Glamorgan Newport Vale of Glamorgan www.visitsouthernwales.org Vale of Glamorgan www.visitsouthernwales.org www.visitsouthernwales.org Rhondda Cynon Taf planning your trip to Southern Wales. www.visitsouthernwales.org Vale of Glamorgan Monmouthshire has four vineyards www.visitsouthernwales.org

4 www.visitsouthernwales.org Monmouthshire 5 Attractions

There’s lots to see and do in this corner of Southern Wales. Castles, abbeys, museums and delightful country parks set in some truly breath-taking scenery.

Black Rock Lave Net Fishery Roman Town Monmouthshire Castles Rockfield Studios

Visit the Black Rock Lave Net Tribal capital of the Monmouthshire’s history has Visit the famous recording Fishermen on the Wales Coast (Venta Silurum) in Roman times, resulted in plenty of great castles studio where Queen recorded Path as they practise their enclosed by impressive 17ft 4th to explore and discover. Here are ‘’. Group ancient trade. Watch them century walls. Excavated houses, some of our best: Abergavenny, tours - booking essential. salmon fishing in the shadow forum-basilica & Romano-British Caldicot, Chepstow, Grosmont, of the Severn Crossing, chat to temple also remain. Car parking, Monmouth, Raglan, Skenfrith, them about their craft & discover level access to toilet facilities & and White Castle. their history at the heritage site. interpretation panels.

tel: +44 (0)1633 880494 tel: +44 (0)3000 256000 tel: +44 (0)1291 623772 tel: +44 (0)1600 712449 email: [email protected] email: @gov.wales email: [email protected] email: [email protected] web: www.blackrocklavenets.co.uk web: cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caerwent-roman-town web: www.visitmonmouthshire.com/castles web: www.rockfieldmusicgroup.com

Caldicot Castle Chepstow Racecourse Old Station, Tintern Shire Hall, Monmouth

Travel through time from a Enjoy a fantastic day out at Drop in for tea and cake at From Chartist trials to medieval castle to a Victorian Wales’ premier racecourse, home this idyllic 10 acre site on the supernatural tours, Shire Hall mansion. Set in 55 acres of of the annual Coral Welsh Grand banks of the . Set in a offers a range of activities beautiful parkland with a packed National. With a packed calendar Victorian railway station, the Old in a listed Georgian building. events programme of both racing and other events, Station offers walks, exhibitions, Also, discover the history of (including medieval banquets) there is always something to see events and the perfect Wye Monmouth and its unique and tea room. and do. Valley pit stop. and with tours starting at Shire Hall.

tel: +44 (0)1291 420241 tel: +44 (0)1291 622260 tel: +44 (0)1291 689566 tel: +44 (0)1600 775257 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected] web: www.visitmonmouthshire.com/caldicotcastle web: www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk web: www.visitmonmouthshire.com/oldstationtintern web: www.visitmonmouthshire.com/shirehallmonmouth

Dewstow Gardens Priory Monmouthshire Museums Tintern Abbey

Discover a beautiful lost garden Nestled within the beautiful and Visit our museums at An inspiration for artists and with tunnels, ponds, rills and secluded Valley, Llanthony Abergavenny, Chepstow and poets throughout the centuries, a labyrinth of underground Priory is an inspirational site for Monmouth where the stories of Tintern Abbey is the centrepiece grottoes, thought lost for half a all who discover it. The Priory their towns are brought to life of the Wye Valley. It is a century. Hotel in the grounds offers food through art, displays, costume, fantastically preserved medieval and drink to enjoy within this artifacts, models & a varied range monument set within an area of fantastic setting. of exhibitions. outstanding natural beauty.

tel: +44 (0)1291 431020 tel: +44 (0)3000 256000 tel: +44 (0)1873 854282 tel: +44 (0)1291 689251 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected] web: www.dewstowgardens.co.uk web: cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/llanthony-priory web: www.visitmonmouthshire.com/museums web: cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/tintern-abbey

6 www.visitsouthernwales.org Monmouthshire 7 Activities

Get out and enjoy the great outdoors in this beautiful corner of Southern Wales. There are countless options including walks, golf, canal boating, watersports & climbing.

Beacon Park Boats Inspire2Adventure Llandegfedd Reservoir Monmouthshire Golf Courses

Luxury narrowboat holidays Perfectly located for visitors to Escape the bustle of modern Enjoy ‘golf as it should be’ on the scenic Monmouthshire Abergavenny, Monmouth & the life at the 434 acre Llandegfedd in Monmouthshire with six and Brecon Canal in the Brecon Wye Valley, we cater for families, Reservoir. Enjoy kayaking, sailing legendary courses. A mix of Beacons National Park. Their youth groups, hen & stag groups, and other water sports, walk the courses, lengths & difficulties canal boat trips offer spectacular team building events, college/ 2 miles of footpaths or enjoy across the county, from the hills views across Monmouthshire, school & adult groups. the views with cake at our new of Abergavenny to the Gwent through pretty market towns and visitor centre. levels near Chepstow. peaceful countryside.

tel: +44 (0)1873 858277 tel: +44 (0)1600 891515 tel: +44 (0)1633 373401 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected] web: www.beaconparkboats.com web: www.inspire2adventure.com web: www.llandegfedd.co.uk web: www.visitmonmouthshire.com/golf

Borderlands Outdoor Celtic Trails Monmouth Canoe & Activity Centre Way2Go Adventures

Choose from rock climbing, Celtic Trails organise the highest Take in the stunning sights of the Based in the beautiful Wye abseiling, caving, bushcraft, quality walking and hiking Wye Valley from the water, with Valley, we offer guided trips, archery and more. Half day, full holidays. Set your own pace our modern range of canoes and canoe, kayak and sea kayaking day and multi-day adventures guided by our easy-to-follow kayaks. Paddle up to 100 miles catering for families, groups, suitable for groups. route notes and maps. Enjoy the through Hay-on-Wye, , individuals and parties. complete sense of freedom that Monmouth & Tintern. travelling on foot brings.

tel: +44 (0)7850 135869 tel: +44 (0)1291 689774 tel: +44 (0)1600 716083 tel: +44 (0)1594 800908 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected] web: www.borderlandsoutdoor.com web: www.celtic-trails.com web: www.monmouthcanoe.co.uk web: www.way2goadventures.co.uk

Goytre Wharf MonLife Outdoor Adventure

Activity hub on the Try canoeing, archery, climbing, Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. caving, hiking & more at our Hire a canal boat for the day, two outdoor centres in the take a scenic walk or cycle ride Monmouthshire countryside. along the canal or take some We’re ideally placed to access time out for fishing. Refresh at the Wye Valley & Brecon our onsite café & coffee bar. Beacons with accommodation on site.

tel: +44 (0)1873 880516 tel: +44 (0)1600 752000 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] web: www.goytrewharf.com web: monlife.co.uk/outdoor/outdoor-education/activities

Start/Finish of Wales Coast Path, Chepstow

8 www.visitsouthernwales.org Monmouthshire 9 Monmouthshire’s lucky to have so many wonderful gardens to visit, excellent Accommodation opportunities to buy plants, and places with beautiful gardens to stay. Gardens to Visit Garden Centres Grand country houses, cosy rural retreats and high quality independent hotels mean that Dewstow Gardens & Grottoes, Usk Open Gardens Weekend and Nurseries there is plenty of choice for you. Caerwent, Near Chepstow Usually held on the last weekend in June, Usk This amazing place is Monmouthshire’s lost Open Gardens Weekend allows visitors to Usk Garden Centre garden. It’s the largest and most important view over 20 private gardens. Usk in Bloom www.uskgardencentre.co.uk The Beaufort Hotel Tyˆ Hotels Pulham site in Wales and the astonishing volunteers have won their Wales in Bloom (on site restaurant) Grade 1 listed garden is far more extensive category for over 30 years. One of the most Border Nurseries We warmly welcome coach This newly-built hotel is a and complex than originally thought. spectacular gardens surrounds the medieval www.bordernurseries.com convenient base, located just off - an absolute must to visit at any parties - 25 bedrooms. We can Tel: +44 1291 430444 time of year. Raglan Garden Centre offer refreshments/ meal stops the M4 in the charming town of Email: [email protected] www.raglangardencentre.co.uk for groups of up to 90 people. Magor. Just a short drive from Website: www.dewstowgardens.co.uk Website: www.uskopengardens.com (Sugarloaf restaurant on site) Free lunch / overnight Newport city centre and within Nantyderry Garden Centre High Glanau, , Near Monmouth Veddw House, , Near accommodation for the 25 miles of Cardiff. The hotel www.nantyderrygc.co.uk has bar and restaurant facilities, The second of Monmouthshire’s Arts and Chepstow coach driver. This modern romantic garden has been including a fitness room. Crafts gardens laid out by H Avray Tipping Chepstow Garden Centre in 1922. Original features include impressive created by garden writer Anne Wareham www.chepstowgardencentre.co.uk stone terraces with far reaching views over and photographer Charles Hawes and has (The Garden Restaurant & Café on site) tel: +44 (0)1600 715577 tel: +44 (0)1633 749999 the Vale of Usk to the Blorenge, Skirrid, been featured in many gardening magazines. Crown Hill Nursery & Floral Workshop email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Sugarloaf and Brecon Beacons. A favourite part with visitors is the dramatic www.crownhillnursery.co.uk web: www.beauforthotelchepstow.com web: www.celtic-manor.com/hotels-lodges/ty-hotel reflecting pool. Tel: +44 (0)1600 860005 Secret Garden Tel: +44 (0)1291 650836 www.thesecretgardenwales.co.uk Garden Email: [email protected] (Sally’s Tea Rooms) Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel St. Pierre Marriott Hotel & Country Club Eight generations have lived at Llanover, Website: www.veddw.co.uk The Willows Garden Centre caring for the garden & plants since www.willowsgardencentre.co.uk Looking after guests expertly Nestled in 400 acres of 1792 when it was created by Benjamin Wye Valley Sculpture Garden, since the 16th century. Over 45 countryside, the hotel was once Waddington, the father of Lady Llanover Tintern, Near Chepstow. en-suite rooms with magnificent a 14th century manor house. (who championed Welsh traditions, Enjoy a series of sculptures positioned Garden Schools views over surrounding Ideally located in Chepstow, language, music, literature and livestock). harmoniously around this tranquil garden, countryside. Experience a the hotel is perfectly placed nestled on a sunny slope in the Lower Wye and Courses Tel: +44 (0)7753423635 Valley. Abundant herbaceous borders, a delicious Afternoon Tea in the for exploring the Wye Valley, email: [email protected] Arne Maynard new Laura Ashley Tea Room Monmouthshire, and the rest of pond, woodland area, orchard & meadows Website: www.llanovergarden.co.uk provide a rich habitat for wildlife. RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden designer opened 2019. Southern Wales. www.arnemaynard.com The Tel: +44 (0)1291 689253 www.wyevalleysculpturegarden.co.uk Llanover Garden School tel: +44 (0)1633 450521 tel: +44 (0)1291 625261 Hidden away in the centre of Monmouth Specialist plantsmen and garden writers are email: [email protected] email: [email protected] is a small walled town garden which was invited to lead courses web: www.cwrtbleddyn.co.uk web: www.marriott.com visited by Lord Nelson in 1802. www.llanovergarden.co.uk www.visitmonmouthshire.com/gardens

The Abergavenny Hotel The Angel Hotel Usk in Bloom Winner of Wales in Bloom for 38 The Abergavenny Hotel is a Historic coaching inn and consecutive years. In 2018 Usk beat global charming Victorian building serviced cottage with stylish competition to win the Communities in set close to the centre of restaurant. Close to Abergavenny Bloom international competition. the historic castle, market and independent Winner of the Wales in Bloom Large Village 2019. Discover a town bursting of Abergavenny. The hotel shops. Won the Tea Guild’s ‘Top with flowers & greenery. houses 20 guestrooms, and an City and Country Hotel Award’ for eclectically-styled bar where Afternoon Tea. Near Shaun Hill’s Website: www.uskinbloom.org.uk continental breakfast is served. Michelin-starred Walnut Tree.

tel: +44 (0)1873 859050 tel: +44 (0)1873 857121 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] web: www.abergavennyhotel.com web: www.angelabergavenny.com

For further information including dates and times of opening, 10 www.visitsouthernwales.org please visit www.visitmonmouthshire.com/gardens Refreshment Stops Explore Monmouthshire Take time out from your tour to enjoy a spot of lunch or a refreshing tea or coffee at one of the many cafés, pubs or restaurants throughout the region. 1 Day Itinerary There’s much to see and do in Monmouthshire. Whether you prefer the great outdoors, Abbey Mill Restaurant, Morris’ Restaurant at Usk Chepstow Tourist Tintern Garden Centre Information Centre uncovering history or a little bit of luxury, we’ve got it all covered with this one day itinerary.

Stop 1 –

Enjoy home baked cakes & Restaurant set in the garden Pop in to our upcycled café Start the day at Caldicot Castle. Built by the , the castle later became Tintern’s Infamous Dragon Pie® centre using local and Welsh for cake and coffee and to buy a Victorian era family home. The castle is surrounded by 55 acres of idyllic (made from locally grown dragons) products wherever possible. local produce. Group tastings – country park. on the banks of the river Wye, at Offers indoor or outdoor seating booking essential. www.visitmonmouthshire.com/caldicotcastle Tintern Abbey’s original mill site. with disabled access. Chepstow, NP16 5EY Tintern, NP16 6SE Usk, NP15 1TG www.visitmonmouthshire.com/ Stop 2 – Old Station, Tintern www.abbeymill.com www.uskgardencentre.co.uk visitor-information The Old Station, Tintern is a beautiful, award-winning country park in the Wye Valley. Take in the scenery with delicious cakes, sandwiches and icecreams in the Sugarloaf Café at Raglan Green & Jenks Gelato House Craft Renaissance Café café, a former Victorian railway station ticket office. Garden Centre www.visitmonmouthshire.com/oldstationtintern

Stop 3 – Shire Hall, Monmouth Shire Hall is an historic Grade I listed building, and was the scene of the infamous Chartist trials of 1840. View the courtroom and descend to the cells Offering Italian style ice cream Restaurant offering home cooked Situated in converted barn to see where the defendants were kept. from locally sourced ingredients, foods using the finest local buildings we have a stunning oak with homemade sandwiches, produce. Enjoy panoramic views, framed gallery, shop, and café. www.visitmonmouthshire.com/shirehallmonmouth cakes, coffee & more, Green & whether seated on our terrace or Jenks is an ideal stop. within our refurbished dining area. Stop 4 – White Castle Vineyard, Abergavenny Monmouth. NP25 3DY Raglan, NP15 2BH Usk, NP15 1JU Visitors are warmly invited to visit White Castle Vineyard to experience the www.greenandjenks.com www.raglangardencentre.co.uk www.craftrenaissance.co.uk beauty and tranquillity of this rural setting. www.whitecastlevineyard.com Chepstow Garden The Court Cupboard Café at Caldicot Castle Tea Room Centre Café Stop 5 – Afternoon tea at the Angel Hotel Treat yourself to a sumptuous afternoon tea at Abergavenny’s Angel Hotel, winners of numerous awards over the years. Indulge with a wide selection of teas, sandwiches, pastries and cakes. www.angelabergavenny.com A great place to relax with tea & Take the weight off your feet and Enjoy coffee and cake amongst coffee as well as hot chocolate, relax over a cappuccino and cake a thriving of wine, beer & more. Relax, chat to in our café or enjoy a meal in our local artists, all set in the our friendly staff and maybe pick restaurant overlooking the garden. beautiful countryside outside up a memento. Abergavenny. Chepstow, NP16 6LF Caldicot, NP26 4HU www.chepstowgardencentre. Abergavenny, NP7 8AU www.caldicotcastle.co.uk co.uk/restaurant-cafe-bar www.courtcupboardgallery.co.uk

12 www.visitsouthernwales.org Monmouthshire 13 Explore the Region - 2 Day Itinerary Day 2 (Continued)

With so much to do it can be challenging to know where to start. We’ve put together a Stop 3 – Dyffryn Gardens, The Vale of Glamorgan sample two day itinerary for you, giving you the opportunity to visit some of the very best Covering more than 55 acres, Dyffryn Gardens feature a stunning collection of intimate garden rooms including a rose garden, Pompeian garden and an extensive Arboretum attractions in the region. featuring trees from all over the world. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyffryn-gardens Day 1 Stop 4 – McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Bridgend Situated right on junction 36 of the M4 Motorway, the undercover mall has over 90 Stop 1 – Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Caerphilly shops selling high street and designer brand names at discounted prices. Llancaiach Fawr Manor near Caerphilly is a 17th century manor house. Take a tour of www.bridgenddesigneroutlet.com the house and meet the servants who will tell you tales of what life was like for them back in 1645. Stop 5 – The Royal Mint Visitor Experience, Rhondda Cynon Taf www.llancaiachfawr.co.uk Take a look behind the scenes at Britain’s oldest manufacturing organisation. See for Stop 2 – Cyfarthfa Park & Museum, Merthyr yourself the people and processes that put the pounds and pennies in your pockets. Imposing 1824 castle housing a museum with a collection of fine art and social www.royalmint.com/en/the-royal-mint-experience history items. www.visitmerthyr.co.uk/attractions/cyfarthfa-park-museum.aspx What’s on in Southern Wales Stop 3 – Guardian Mining Memorial, Six Bells Towering above the village of Six Bells is the Guardian Mining Memorial. Commemorating the 1960 Six Bells mining disaster, the monument was unveiled in 2010. Time your visit right and not only will you stay in some great accommodation, get to sample www.guardianwales.info some great food and visit some top attractions, you’ll also get to enjoy some fabulous events.

Stop 4 – Blaenavon World Heritage Centre, Blaenavon We’ve highlighted some of the most popular ones here, but there are hundreds more going The Centre features an interactive Victorian school room, film and multi-media displays which not only provide visitors with a unique insight into the significance of Blaenavon’s on throughout the year. Industrial Landscape, but also introduces them to the area’s many attractions. www.visitblaenavon.co.uk For a full list of events in the region, please visit www.visitsouthernwales.org Stop 5 – Shire Hall, Monmouthshire Built in 1724, the elegant building has a remarkable past. Once a centre of commerce Steelhouse Festival, and governance for the town, it also served as a courthouse. Blaenau Gwent www.shirehallmonmouth.org.uk

Nos Galan Road Races, Isle of Fire, Vale of Mountain Ash Glamorgan Day 2 RHS Flower Show Stop 1 – House, Newport Cardiff Set in 90 acres of beautiful parkland on the outskirts of Newport is this 17th century house. Now in the care of the , visitors can hear about the house’s history and it’s eccentric former owners and view the art collection. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tredegar-house Abergavenny Food Festival The Big Splash, Newport

Stop 2 – Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff As part of a visit to the Centre, behind the scenes tours are offered where you can discover the secrets of the landmark building and find out what lies beneath the inscription. Special deals are available for groups and there is ample coach parking nearby. www.wmc.org Porthcawl Elvis Blaenavon World Heritage Merthyr Rising The Big Cheese, Caerphilly Festival Day, Blaenavon

14 www.visitsouthernwales.org Monmouthshire 15 Coach Parking Tour Guides

Find out where to drop off your passengers, park your coach Make sure you get the most out of or get further information about our main towns. your visit to the region by hiring the services of a tour guide. Members of The Wales Official Tour Guide Abergavenny Association are the only guides Surrounded by 7 mountains, Abergavenny is set amongst some beautiful countryside. officially recognised to be able to Highlights in the town include & Museum, St Mary’s Priory and Tithe Barn, guide in Wales. They can provide and the historic Market Hall. highly trained, professional and experienced Blue Badge Guides, who Coach Drop Off and Parking will help bring your journey to life. Abergavenny Bus Station, Monmouth Road, NP7 5HF There are dozens of guides, each with Chepstow their own specialisms, interests and language skills. Blue Badge Guides can To find a guide to suit your needs please Home to one of the first castles to be built in Wales and historic bridge which marks the take you all over the region, whilst visit www.walesbestguides.com border between Wales and England. Green Badge Guides offer a more specialist and localised expertise. Meet and Greet services available from Chepstow Tourist Information Centre. Call 01291 623772 to arrange. Abergavenny Tourist Chepstow Tourist Coach Drop Off Coach Parking Stand 5, Bus Station, Thomas Street, NP16 5DH Castle Car Park, Bridge Street, NP16 5EY Information Centre Information Centre Discover everything you need to know Located by coach parking opposite Chepstow Monmouth about Abergavenny and the Black Castle, please call to book coach space Historic border town with highlights that include Shire Hall, the famous Monnow bridge and Mountains at Abergavenny TIC, located (free parking); for a meet & greet service; streets lined with dozens of independent retailers. within Market Hall on Cross Street. for assistance with itinerary planning; or to receive shopping vouchers & Chepstow Town Coach Drop Off and Parking Centre maps. We also provide complimentary Street, NP25 3EQ tea/ to drivers in our new upcycled cafe. See visitmonmouthshire.com/groups for more.

Tel: +44 (0)1873 853254 Tel: +44 (0)1291 623772 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Postcode: NP7 5HD Postcode: NP16 5EY

16 www.visitsouthernwales.org Monmouthshire 17 Maps and Travel Information Hatterrall Hill

Brecon Easy to get to Beacons National Grosmont We’re a different country with our own language Park 46 Castle 42 A465 and culture, yet we’re surprisingly easy to get to. Birmingham/ Midlands We’re only around two hours down the M4 from Skirrid Skenfrith Castle London whilst Birmingham and the West Midlands Sugarloaf are only an hour or so from our borders. A40 White Castle Abergavenny Monmouth Shire So in next to no time you could be here, immersing Castle Hall A465 Abergavenny Castle OFFA’S Monmouth yourself in our culture and traditions and who knows Blorenge DYKE PATH maybe even trying to get your tongue around our THE TUMBLE Monnow 49 Bridge Manchester language. Croeso - or welcome in English. A4042 A40 A40 MON RIVER Wye Valley RIVER Blaenavon & BREC USK Raglan Area of WYE World Heritage CANAL Castle We’re not very big, but we certainly fit a lot in – Birmingham Site Outstanding Wales Natural Beauty and getting around the region couldn’t be easier. England Wharf 423 A comprehensive road system links all the major London A449 WYE towns, while many towns and villages are well USK VALLEY VALLEY WALK WALK Usk served by the local train network which connects LLANDEGFEDD RESERVOIR Old with the mainline stations. Usk Station Castle NATIONAL Tintern CYCLE Abbey NETWORK Chepstow Racecourse LON LAS CYMRU 42

Chepstow A466 CELTIC TRAIL 4 M48 Caldicot Castle

London/ M4 Caldicot Magor Severn Tunnel Junction

WALES COAST PATH Lave Net Fishermen Black Rock

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the Published by: Southern Wales Tourism accuracy of this publication, Southern Wales Tourism cannot accept responsibility for any errors, inaccuracies Photographs: Southern Wales Tourism would like to or omissions, or for any matter in any way connected thank Mike Chapman, Monmouthshire , with or arising out of the publication of the information Visit Britain and © Crown Copyright Visit Wales for the contained within this brochure. The brochure may not use of their images in the publication. be reproduced in part or in whole without the prior Map © Collins Bartholomew Ltd consent of the publisher. Design: Mediadesign This publication is available in Welsh.

www.visitmonmouthshire.com @visit_mon visitmonmouthshire 18 www.visitsouthernwales.org The Picturesque

It’s 250 years since William Gilpin took a boat tour down the River Wye in 1770, an event that heralded the birth of British tourism, making the Wye Tour one of the first ‘package holidays’. Gilpin was a pioneer of the ‘Picturesque’ and his ideas led to the concepts of landscape appreciation and conservation, culminating in the designation of protected landscapes – our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), including the Wye Valley AONB which was designated in 1971. Explore the landscape that inspired William Gilpin, J M W Turner and (amongst many others) and learn about the Picturesque.

Highlights include:

• Ross on Wye •  • Symonds Yat • Monmouth • Tintern Abbey • Chepstow Castle

Design by Dispirito Design

For full tour details, visit www.visitmonmouthshire.com/groupitineraries