Abergavenny
Abergavenny (Welsh: Y Fenni) is a town of 12,500 people (2011) in Monmouthshire in southeast Wales.
Understand
A thriving town, Abergavenny prides itself as a gateway to South Wales and the eastern gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park where you can enjoy a relaxing short break or longer holiday amidst beautiful countryside. The town itself nestles within the beautiful Usk Valley at the point where the river emerges from amongst the mountains to flow through lowland Monmouthshire. The mass of the Black Mountains and their highly individual outliers of Sugar Loaf and Skirrid (Welsh: Ysgyryd Fawr) form a spectacular northern backdrop to the town. Along with Blorenge to the south, the opportunities for walkers are hugely varied.
Get in
On the A465 Hereford - Neath and A40 London-Fishguard road between Monmouth and Brecon.
Trains run hourly from Cardiff Central, taking just over an hour via Newport, Cwmbran and Pontypool. From Abergavenny they continue to Hereford then either to Holyhead (for ferries to Dublin) or to Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly.
π Abergavenny railway station is east side of town. There's a staffed ticket office, cafe and indoor waiting room.
Stagecoach Bus X3 runs every two hours from Hereford, taking just over an hour; it then becomes an hourly service to Pontypool.
Bus X4 runs once a day from Merthyr Tydfil via Ebbw Vale.
See
- π Abergavenny Castle. Castle 24 hr, Museum Th-Tu 11:00-16:00. The castle dates back to 1087; it was damaged in the 1404 GlyndΕ΅r rebellion and abandoned. Just to be on the safe side, in 1645 Charles I had the remains "slighted" - demolished beyond further use. Later visitors found the ruins picturesque and in 1819 a hunting lodge was built within, in the style of a miniature "keep". This now contains the museum. Free.
- π Sugar Loaf (Pen-y-fΓ’l) is the mountain of 1955 ft (596 m) rising two miles north of town. Its conical peak looks volcanic, but it's all sandstone. It's part of Brecon Beacons National Park, and the landscape is managed by the National Trust, with wild sheep grazing. There are several access paths, such as the NT car park south in Usk Valley.
- π Grosmont Castle, Grosmont. A ruined castle.
- π Llanthony Priory. A ruined former Augustinian priory.
- π White Castle. A medieval castle.
Do
- Abergavenny Food Festival is held in mid-September.
Buy
- Supermarkets: Morrisons on Park Rd is open M-Sa 07:00-22:00, Su 10:00-16:00.
- Markets: Tuesday is the main event in the market hall, with over 200 stalls. There's also a Friday and Saturday general market, and a bric-a-brac and flea market on Wednesday. They all run 09:00-17:00. The craft fair is second Saturday of the month, the antiques fair is third Sunday, and the artisan market is fourth Thursday.
Eat
- π The Greyhound Vaults, Market St, β +44 1873 858549.
- π The Walnut Tree, Llanddewi Skirrid, β +44 1873 852797.
- Fig Tree Espresso, 15 Neville Street, β +44 7702 580071 (mobile), figtree@abergavennycoffee.co.uk. Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM. Established in 2013 by a young couple and set in a Grade 2 Listed Georgian Townhouse, this small cafe has quickly become the place to go to get your caffeine fix in Abergavenny. Using coffee beans that have been roasted less than half an hour away and making all of the cakes and savouries themselves, this place is definitely local. Also, there is a rear courtyard to sit and enjoy your drink.
- π The Crown at Pantygelli, Old Hereford Rd, Pantygelli NP7 7HR, β +44 1873 853314. M 6-11PM, Tu-F noon-11PM, Sa Su 8:30AM-11PM. Excellent dining at this country gastro-pub.
Drink
- The Kings Arms. Great social spot in the town centre. Generally quite quiet during the week but much busier on a Friday and Saturday night, often with live entertainment. Home to the Tudor Microbrewery serving a selection of local ales.
- π The Skirrid Mountain Inn (few miles north of Abergavenny), β +44 1873 890 258. It claims to be the oldest pub in Wales.
- Sugar Loaf Vineyards are on Dunmar Farm, up Pentre Lane north side of town. They produce red, white and rose wines and offer vineyard tours in season.
Sleep
- π The Old Pandy Inn & Black Mountain bunkhouse, Hereford Road, Pandy, β +44 1873 890208. The Black Mountain Lodge is at the Old Pandy Inn, a 17th-century country inn some 4 miles north of Abergavenny, 15 miles south of Hereford at the foot of the Black Mountains. The Offa's Dyke Path is some 400 yards away.
- π The Angel Hotel, 15 Cross St., β +44 1873 857121.
- π Llanthony Priory Hotel, Llanthony NP7 7NN, β +44 1873 890487. Charming but simple hotel within the ruined priory, and it may have been the prior's lodge. Rooms have no en suite or any kind of plumbing, and four are in the tower up a spiral staircase. No children under 4 or dogs. Open all year but Nov-Mar only F-Su. B&B double Β£100.
- π The Hardwick, Old Raglan Rd NP7 9AA (off A40 three miles south of town), β +44 1873 854220. Restaurant with rooms in old pub. Assistance dogs only. B&B double Β£120.
Connect
As of March 2022, Abergavenny has 4G from O2 and Vodafone, and 5G from EE and Three.