Monmouthshire

Perfectly nestled in the south-eastern corner of Wales, you’ll find something for everybody in Monmouthshire – including several quirky places to stay!

From the soaring heights of the Brecon Beacons National Park, to the fresh woodland that surrounds the River Wye (not to mention an array of pretty market towns in between), this is a county that packs an abundance of sightseeing opportunities into a relatively small space.

Abergavenny is Monmouthshire’s largest town (though if you want to blend in with the native Welsh speakers, you could refer to it as Y Fenni instead).

Surrounded by seven mountains, and a genuine haven for foodies – the Abergavenny Food Festival is a famed staple of every culinary calendar worth its salt – there are some wonderful independent shops and artisan markets to browse through.

Travel to Usk, to access one of the finest salmon fishing rivers in the country (the River Usk, of course!) and to explore its 11th century castle, itself the picturesque backdrop for a romantic garden. Gardens are popular here, in fact – Usk hosts a colour-strewn Open Gardens weekend every summer, and has won many horticultural awards.

Caldicot, meanwhile, is steeped in history, as the largest civilian settlement in Roman Wales. As you pass through, don’t forget to visit the town’s awe-inspiring castle and country park.

The historic county town of Monmouth, at the heart of the Wye Valley, is also well worth a visit – its medieval stone gated bridge is the only one of its kind that you’ll find in Britain. As you leave, you’re sure to feel that Monmouthshire is a true one of a kind setting itself.