Out and About in the Wye Valley

There is a great deal to experience in the immediate area and enough variety to provide something for everyone.

• Historical

  This whole area is steeped in history with sites dating from the Iron Age Silure Hillforts through Roman conquests and settlement to more recent times. The internationally famous Tintern Abbey is just 5 minutes away by road and the area is rich in medieval castles such as Chepstow and Raglan which are very well preserved and presented. Monmouth boasts some famous sons amongst whom are Charles Rolls (of Rolls Royce fame) whose family estate is close by and a part of which is a beautiful golf course today. Another famous lad from Monmouth was King Henry the 5th and Agincourt Square in the heart of the town has monuments to both of these historical greats. A few seconds out of the town there is the Kymin, a famous banqueting area in Georgian times and site of a memorial to famous British admirals such as Horatio Nelson. It is on the Offas Dyke path.

• Scenic Delights

  The Lower Wye Valley is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the reason why is obvious as soon as you are here. There are innumerable beautiful walks and hiking trails of all levels of difficulty as well as cycle tracks and bridal paths. The area is criss-crossed by country roads and lanes which make it very accessible to those less energetic souls. Cycling through the towns & along the A466 (Llandogo is the central point) is a wonderful experience. Of course, you can drive or do this on one of our local buses. Canoes are usually to be seen along the River Wye during the warmer months and can be hired by the day or the hour. More of interest further in the Walking/hiking Trails etc.

• Llandogo

  Llandogo is close to it all & yet a beautiful, sprawling & sheltered village. It is surrounded by lovely forest covered hills, with the odd settlement twinkling here & there. Footpaths zig-zag through & into the dense woodlands, alongside the almost a ”rainforest gorge” of the Cleddon Shoots (waterfall), which cascade down to the River Wye. There is the old pub, our historic church, the shop & old schoolhouse – now a gallery. Wordsworth found inspiration in our woods. Bertrand Russell was born right here, near the falls.

• Local Foods and Beverages.

  Visit local vineyards (of which there are several!) cider presses and breweries and sample their products at source. Local cheeses, fruits and jams can be purchased from farm shops and local markets. The area, particularly in and around Monmouth, is richly blessed with fine places to eat & we are spoiled for choice. It will be a pleasure to point you at as many of these establishments as time allows you to sample. Our own food is pretty good. Historic pubs abound to keep the thirsty occupied and entertained. Many real ales are to be found in small local breweries. The area was a major apple growing area. You will find in the area several old cider mills and we have one close to hand, just outside Tintern. Friendly folk & a good look at how the cider was & still today is being made. Well worth a visit.

• Shopping

  The historic market towns of Chepstow, Monmouth and Ross are close by and Monmouth offers a real & busy High Street with many a shopping opportunity as does Ross-on-Wye. When you are tired or your credit card overheats there are numerous delightful coffee shops to recuperate in. There are vibey markets in the area on specific days of the week. There are iconic browsers boutiques & shops like the antique emporiums, the farm stalls and the more famous such as our Stella Books. Always full of the rare, the out of print & collectable books as well as those more normal ones.(Of course there are also the usual supermarkets nearby.)

• Sporting Activities.

  Golf
  There are many beautiful golf courses in the immediate area. The Forest Hills is close, friendly & will give you a good time. Then, of course, we have The Rolls nearby, in Monmouth. We have an established relationship with a number of quality clubs in the area which will enable you to play at preferential rates. See our links page for the clubs involved.
  

  Horse Racing
  Chepstow Racecourse is well known to aficionados of the sport of kings. See more further along.
  

  Biking
  Cycling the area is a good experience and is a good way to see & experience the way of life in the area.
  

  Water Sports
  Canoes, Kayaks, are available through Active Way 2 Go and others. A more demanding but wonderful way to see the area particularly the stretch from Monmouth to here.
  

  So much more... Tennis, Gymnasiums & all those other active ways of living can be found.

• Art

  There are various galleries in the area such as Pat Yallup’s studio (www.patyallup.com) right here in Llandogo, local artist Mariana Robinson (www.mariana-art.co.uk) has a studio close by in St. Briavels and painting and other art courses are available from time to time. Then, of-course there is Denise Yapp who has her studio (www.deniseyapp.com) also, just along the road. An area which is absolutely wonderful to come along & enjoy as an artist or as a supporter.

• Music

  This is Wales. Music is part of life. Music is in the parks and all about in summer and in colder weather there are the pubs to keep you warm and entertained. Several concert halls such as St. David’s in Cardiff are easy to get to for more formal concerts and famous artists.

• Museums

  The Nelson, Monmouth and Chepstow Museum are all close to hand. However, the area abounds in historic sites & land marks like “Harold’s Stones” – a’la Stonehenge - in our neighboring little village. Virtually every market town has at least one museum and sometimes more. The Nelson Museum in Monmouth is justly famous for its collection of original Nelson artefacts and documents. Heritage sites such as Big Pit & Blaenavon are in reality open air museums and close by.

• Nature and Wildlife.

  Notable old trees, woods, like the fields of winter & then spring flowers, one after the other, abound. The foxes, badgers, deer, hedgehogs & the likes are often seen on the roadsides. To see a peregrine or a Goshawk is a joy & yet we have the birdsong of so many others “constantly” in spring & summer. The area is heavily forested and abounds in birdlife and local mammals, reptiles, amphibians and the rest. If you want to see the more unusual then we can offer the “hearkening rock” or the huge “suckstone”, both well worth a visit.

• Walking & Hiking Trails

  An absolutely wonderful & blessed area, steeped in history, boundless beauty, nature, fauna & flora. A delight whether on Offas Dyke, the Wye Valley Walks, on natures trails, in the forests above or around us, or, on the banks of the River Wye. You can walk the famous Wye Valley Walk, Offas Dyke Trail or the easier Trellech Treasures, Walls Walk, Redbrook Ramble, Penalt, and a host of others all nearby. The Piercefield Path or Coppett Hill Country are really good….to name but some.