Out and About – The Great Outdoors
Whether you’re feeling like some healthy exercise or just wanting to take in the surroundings in a more leisurely way, getting out and about in the glorious countryside round Porth-y-Parc is a must while you’re here….
On foot…..
…….straight from your door up to Sugar Loaf (less than an hour) and the Black Mountains beyond – we can recommend fuelling stops along the way! Abergavenny’s other two hills – Blorenge (car park almost on the summit) and Skirrid (fabulous at bluebell time) or a bit further afield are Pen-y-Fan, highest Peak in the Brecon Beacons, and stunning Waterfall Country
On Wheels
Abergavenny is home town of Olympic silver medallist Rebecca James, and the town loves bikes so much it hosts an annual Festival of Cycling in early July. On two wheels, take-on the road climb up to The Tumble (or just cycle up to Porth-y-Parc)! Off-road – the disused railway and canal tow paths from Llanfoist, Black Mountains Cycle Park, Bike Park Wales.
Or on four wheels drive to Hay via Llanthony (ruined priory in glorious setting) and Gospel Pass, The Wye Valley, with breathtaking Tintern Abbey and Symonds Yat and The Gower Peninsula (about an hour).
The Brecon Mountain Railway – on many wheels – is a slow and stately way to enjoy the hills
On Water
Wild swimming in The Usk, The Monnow behind Skenfrith Castle (with lunch at The Bell afterwards) and under and behind the falls in Waterfall Country. Kayaking on the Wye – try Glasbury by The River Café. Boating on The Brecon and Monmouth canal – from Goytre, Brecon etc Beaches on The Gower – try Three Cliffs Bay, Rhossili Bay.
Plus…..Castles, Caves and Coal Mines
Some other favourite attractions are The Big Pit at Blaenavon – fascinating tour of old coal mine with excellent museums; castles at Raglan, Caerphilly and Chepstow; tiny gems of churches at Patrishow, Cwmyoy and Kilpeck; Tredegar House near Newport; St Fagan’s outdoor National Museum of History just outside Cardiff (Wales’s most visited heritage site) and Dan yr Orgof Show Caves in the western Brecon Beacons
Eat, Drink, Shop
Abergavenny is a little town that punches well above its weight! Drive or walk just a couple of miles down the hill from Porth-y-Parc to the pretty bustling streets, lined with independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants – and the renowned Food Festival in September.
Drink, dine and chat at The Angel Hotel– breakfast, coffee, lunch, tea, dinner or just a drink – friendly staff – a fabulous all rounder; great cafes (try The Chapel Art Shop and Café behind the market); excellent restaurants – whether you’re after a special dinner (we love The Gaff in the town centre) or just cheap and cheerful suppers; characterful pubs like The Station at the bottom of Chapel Road, our “local”.
Stock Up in Abergavenny Market (Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays) and locals like The Angel Bakery, Marches Deli and Chester’s Wines…. If you need a supermarket there’s Waitrose, Morrison’s, Aldi, Tesco Metro.
Browse and Buy in quirky independents such as The Art Shop, The Wool Croft, Cook’s Galley, Alison Tod hats….
And… there’s a castle with museum, a cinema, a theatre, a Leisure Centre….
Beyond Abergavenny, worth a visit are Crickhowell (voted UK’s best High Street); Brecon (Friday Market, cathedral, Jazz Festival in August, Baroque Music Festival in October); Monmouth (pretty old buildings in the County town); Hereford (Cathedral, Mappa Mundi); Hay-on-Wye (Book Festival, end of May); Cardiff – Wales’s capital – just an hour away, with all the above and more!
“So many places to visit within easy reach…the cake was much appreciated at the top of Pen-y-Fan!”
Alison
