Things to do in and around Abergavenny

The lively market town of Abergavenny, on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park is famous for the Abergavenny Food Festival in September, and the The Abergavenny Writing Festival in April, but there’s plenty of things to see and do all year round.

Abergavenny Museum & Castle is your first stop for local history, with regular exhibitions and family activities available.

A short drive from Abergavenny lay the atmospheric ruins of Llanthony Priory. Built in the 13th century on the site of an older church, what remains today bears the scars of centuries of conflict and political upheaval. Despite all the drama, Llanthony Priory’s surviving windows and sweeping archways are still a powerful reminder of medieval Wales.

Beautiful Linda Vista Gardens in town are full of rose gardens and rockeries – and next to a free car park.

Close to Abergavenny are three peaks that just beg to be climbed: Sugar Loaf, Blorenge and Skirrid. Sugar Loaf is the only actual mountain, and for the hardier walker: Countryfile Magazine's six-mile walk from Llawenarth car park takes you to the summit through gorgeous woodlands and moorlands.

Blorenge’s summit is easier access – there’s a long, twisting road to the top – but the beech-tree lined walk to the stunning Punch Bowl lake shouldn’t be missed. The Skirrid is smaller, but jagged and dramatic, and its peaks an easy climb for kids. the views form the top are spectacular and you can see the Severn and the Malverns from here on a clear day.

The Three Castles Walk takes you on a 19 mile (30 kilometres) hike round the remote ruined Norman castles of Skenfrith, Grosmont and White Castle, built to control the borders. It's a meander though ancient villages and wildlife-filled farmland, with wide-ranging views across Monmouthshire.

Make the most of the countryside with a visit to Goytre Wharf and Canal Visitor Centre. It’s a great starting point for walks and bike rides along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal and through the fields and woodlands that surround it. Or hire a canoe or canal boat. There’s also a cosy café for post exploration refreshments.

A short trip from Abergavenny takes you to the town of Blaenavon. Once a busy landscape of mines and foundries producing huge amounts of steel and coal, it’s now a living reminder of Wales’ industrial heritage. For an immersive exploration of life as a coal miner, head to Big Pit National Coal Museum, our award-winning national coal museum. Take the 300ft journey down into the mine in the company of former miners to hear tales of those who once worked in these dark tunnels beneath the earth. Museum experiences don’t get much deeper.

Don’t forget to bring your clubs. The lush countryside around Abergavenny is home to a number of great golf courses. The Monmouthshire Golf Club is an 18-hole mature parkland course set against a backdrop of Blorenge, Sugar Loaf and Skirrid while, Wernddu has a nine-hole pitch and putt, a driving range and an 18-hole course. There’s also the classy Rolls of Monmouth, nestled in valleys not far from town.

Just a few miles down the road is the pretty village of Crickhowell. Winner of the Great British High Street Award 2018, its bustling main street is packed with independent shops and boutiques. It’s also a walker’s mecca, head to the Glanusk Estate (venue for the annual Green Man music festival) for a stroll along paths that wind through the estate’s green fields, trees and well-kept gardens.

The town centre is packed with independent coffee shops and restaurants. Time for a coffee break? Emmeline’s Tea Room provides amazing cake, Fig Tree Expresso has speciality brews, or book an award-winning afternoon tea at The Angel.

Something more substantial? Try Nepalese Gurkha Corner's unique dishes, including nettle curry. The Art Shop and Chapel uses locally sourced ingredients, with gluten free and vegan options.

If you want to push the boat out, head out of town to The Walnut Tree for some seriously fine dining.

Tour the Sugar Loaf Vineyard, on the lower slopes of Sugar Loaf mountain, and enjoy a taste of their award-winning Welsh wines. There’s also an onsite café and shop overlooking the Usk Valley.

Heading south from Abergavenny, Baffle Haus: The Cedars café and shop has been attracting motorcyclists from all over as a friendly pit stop for great coffee and local Welsh food.

If there's one thing market towns are good for, it's discovering independent shops, often hidden down intriguing back streets.

Explore places like Broadleaf Books, a second-hand book store packed with fascinating volumes. That’s Lovely That is full of handmade Welsh gifts, while Cuddle and Cwtch sell stylish clothing for kids and babies.

Creative folks will love Frogmore Street Gallery, an artists’ co-operative selling jewellery, woodwork, artwork and more. As well as selling beautiful textiles, Black Mountain Fabrics hold regular craft workshops. The Art Shop, based in a 16th century townhouse, is stocked with every art material under the sun. The upstairs gallery hosts fantastic small exhibitions.

Abergavenny's wonderful Market Hall is definitely worth a mooch around. Open regularly through the week with a variety of markets, there's sure to be something to pique your interest. The Farmers’ Market, full of locally sourced produce, is held on the fourth Thursday of each month throughout the year.

After a fun day exploring the area, you'll want a restful stay. From the elegant Gold award 4* Angel Hotel and the Abergavenny Hotel in the town centre, to cosy self-catering cottages, and luxury glamping in the countryside, you'll find a wide variety of accommodation options to suit all budgets.