Culture, Heritage and the Arts

For a more information on our stunning county, visit the Wye Valley and the Vale of Usk which has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and contains a number of sites of Special Scientific Interest.

The newly built architectural icon in Cardiff Bay is the Wales Millennium Centre.  The new home for the Welsh National Opera also hosts everything cultural from west end shows, to rock concerts to Max Boyce.  And  its just 50 minutes from Llansantffraed.

There are growing number of artists and crafts people taking their inspiration from the Monmousthire countryside, two of the larger centers are the Court Cupboard Gallery and Craft Renaissance.

Classical music fans will have already heard of the Wyastone Leys Estate and its purpose built concert hall overlooking the banks of the River Wye, but more comtemporary folk, rock and jazz can be found amongst the local communities at the vibrant Monmouth and Raglan Music Festivals.

The Great Outdoors and the Weather

Click here for the very latest news on when its going to rain next, and here for the best walking, climbing and outdoor sports weather in the Brecon Beacons National Park forecasts.  You can also hear a good hill forecast on BBC Radio Wales ( on 882 Medium wave ) at a couple of minutes to 7 am and 8 am.

The Brecon Beacons National Park covers 519 square miles of breath-taking mountainous countryside, over half of which is above 1,000 feet above sea level.  The Mountain Centre at Libanus, 5 miles South-West of Brecon, is the Parks most popular visitor attraction and at 1,100 feet offers some amazing views, and exhilarating walking.  You could also take in the National Showcaves at Dan-yr-Ogof on the way.

The Countryside Council for Wales has an excellent site that covers places to visit, mapped walks and of course, the country code.

Monmouthshire County Council's website has some brilliant country walks, many of them starting right from our door.

Just over the border is the Forest of Dean, and we are proud to be members of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism Association, who's excellent website has plenty of good ideas for things to do.

Days Out

We are blessed with loads of beautiful and awe-inspiring ancient buildings, the best of them just 5 miles down the road at Raglan Castle, if you are with the children don't forget to take swords, shields and suits of armour!  Tintern Abbey is one of Wales' top visitor attractions.

Just 10 minutes from us is the opportunity to try something unique in the world, the ultimate big boys toy.  Drive a 43 ton battle 600 horsepower battle Tank, it is mind-blowing!

.Big Pit, a working coal-mining museum, and one of the best days out in the country is about 20 minutes from the hotel at the World Heritage Site at Blaenavon.  The underground tours hosted by ex-miners are ideal for all ages.  We've been 20 times, and it's free... The unique Transporter Bridge over the River at Newport is an amazing feat of engineering, and a ride for your car suspended above the water is great fun for all small boys ( young or old! ).

 Food related Stuff

Abergavenny comes alive every year with an event made for gastronorms.  The annual Abergavenny Food Festival sees 30,000 foodies fill the area's hotels and restaurants for a week in September.  Voted the Greatest Event in Wales, its not to be missed.  Bigger, and in our humble opinion, better, than the Ludlow version ...

Other great places to eat nearby : The Foxhunter at Nantyderry, owned and run by Tv Chef, Matt Tebbutt and his wife Lisa is 10 minutes drive, the Newbridge at Tredunnock is perfect for a riverside lunch, and the Crown at Whitebrook has gained a coveted Michelin Star.

The newest of all, our favourite place to eat on a night off, closest to us, and owned and run by Stephen and Jo Terry, the Hardwick, has been around for a couple of years now, and this year retained its Bib Gourmand, very highly recommended.  Stephen also won the Great British Menu to take his fish dish, and welsh food, onto the world stage.  It was well deserved, and we are delighted for them both.  We may even be able to get a much sort after table there for you!

Our old Head Chef, Simon KIng, who met his now wife, Kate whilst they both worked at Llansantffraed, have now taken the plunge and opened their own fantastic eatery at nearby Cross Ash, called 18-61.

A useful site with lots of eccletic food producers, craftspeople and other unusual things to do can be found at adventa , a dynamic organisation charged with promoting the three mains themes of Food, Timber and Tourism within Monmouthshire.

Sporting Times

Wales and its people are famous for the passion it has for the game of rugby union.  At various levels rugby can be watched nearby, international test matches at the Millenium Stadium ( which also runs brilliant behind the scenes tours ), regional games at Newport and Gwent Dragons, and locally at Newport RFC and Pontypool RFC.

We have green fee and tee time arrangements at a number of local Golf Clubs, infact Monmoutshire has the highest concentration of golf courses of any Welsh county.  We can see one of Alice Springs Golf Club's two courses from our grounds.

Country sports lovers and game fishermen should check River levels at the Wye and Usk Foundations site, and the Monmouthshire Hunt's country.