Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
walking
TALL
This area has more good hikes than you
can shake a walking stick at.
Offa's
Dyke Path
(www.offasdyke.demon.
co.uk) is a 177-mile hike from Chepstow
to Prestatyn on the north coast of
Wales, but little more than a third fol-
lows the 8th-century earthwork, which
protected the English from marauding
Celts. There is, however, a particularly
good stretch between the Llanthony
Valley and Hay-on-Wye. Take the Offa's
Dyke Flyer (linked to the Beacons Bus,
p. 696) from Hay to Llanthony and walk
back. The
Usk Valley Walk
(www.usk
valleywalk.org.uk) is a 48-mile walk that
starts at Brecon and mostly follows the
Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal tow-
path, with diversions through woods
and across fields, down to Abergavenny,
where it follows the River Usk down to
Caerleon, with occasional forays into
the hills.
18
Hereford across the border. There are regular buses: No. 20 from Hereford, no. 21
from Brecon, and no. X4 from Cardiff.
Abergavenny is a short drive along the A4042 from the M4, which links Cardiff
and London.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Abergavenny's Civic Society has laid out a
Town
Trail,
marking buildings and other points of interest with brass plaques. The
Tourist
Information Centre
is at the bus station on Monmouth Road (
&
01873/853254;
www.visitabergavenny.co.uk). It's open daily 10am to 5pm.
Exploring Abergavenny
Abergavenny Castle,
on Castle Street, is one of the best examples of a motte-and-
bailey castle in Britain. Although much has disappeared, including the bailey (court-
yard with outbuildings), the restored keep still sits on the motte (man-made mound),
giving a good impression of what it would have been like in the 12th century. Admis-
sion is free, and it's open daily from dawn to dusk.
Abergavenny Museum
(
&
01873/854282;
www.abergavennymuseum.co.uk) is in the castle keep, which
was rebuilt as the Marquess of Abergavenny's hunting lodge in 1818. There are
archeological finds (relics from the Roman fort of Gobannium) and lots of Welsh life,
with displays housing the contents of a farmhouse kitchen, a saddler's, and a grocer's.
Admission is free. The museum is open March to October, Monday to Saturday
11am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm, Sunday 2 to 5pm; and November to February, Monday
to Saturday 11am to 1pm and 2 to 4pm.
St. Mary's Priory Church,
Monk Street (
&
01873/853168;
www.stmarys-
priory.org), was the church to a priory set up by the first Norman lord of Abergavenny
in the early 12th century. It's now one of the biggest parish churches in Wales. It has
suffered much through the centuries: From (it is believed) Cromwell's rampaging
troops, leaving the tombs wrecked, to injudicious restoration. There's still plenty to
see, including the Norman font, carved 14th- and 15th-century monastic choir stalls,
and some still outstanding tombs. It's open daily 9am to 7pm year-round.
Llanthony Priory
(www.cadw.gov.uk; open daily; free admission) is a peaceful
ruin in a quiet valley just north of Abergavenny in the foothills of the Black Moun-
tains. It's an idyllic spot for a picnic or for a beer at the Llanthony Priory Hotel (see
“Where To Eat & Stay,” below). Talgarth, on the A479 at the northern edge of the
