Our Guide to Abergavenny (20 mins drive)
A market town with lots of independent shops and a few regular high street names, lots of cafes and a Tesco Metro, Morrisons and Waitrose (out of town), plus a few tucked away favourites. Best to avoid Mondays and Sundays when many places are closed.
Bean & Bread Café for great coffee, all day brunch, pastries and cocktails. Closed Mon and Tues. 36 Lion Street / NP7 5PE / www.beanandbread.co.uk
Art Chapel Café for coffee & tea and good lunches from a seasonal menu. Also holds music events, art exhibitions and special suppers. Tucked away behind the Market Hall on Market Street / NP7 5NT / www.artshopandgallery.co.uk / 01873 736430 /
Local cheeses and brews at Madam Fromage tucked away at the bottom of Nevill Street off the main High Street / NP7 5AD / 01873 856118 / www.madamefromage.co.uk
Great bread, beer, sandwiches and pastries at The Angel Bakery Deli. Opposite Angel Hotel on Cross St / NP7 5EU / www.theangelbakery.com
Also stock up on Shepherds Ice Cream tucked away on Market Street NP7 5SD / www.shepherdsicecream.co.uk
The Market Hall hosts a range of markets, including general market (Tuesdays, Fridaysand Saturdays), Flea Market (Wednesdays), Antique & Collectors Fair (3rd Sunday of the month), Arts and Craft Fair (2nd Thursdayof the month), Craft Fair (2nd Saturday of the month) and a Farmers Market (4th Thursday of the month).
Abergavenny castle is one of the best examples of a motte and bailey castle in Britain, and is home to a museum. Usually open every day – free entry. NP7 5EE / www.abergavennymuseum.co.uk
There is also the small Baker Street Cinema and Borough Theatre, and the Abergavenny Food Festival takes place in September / www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com
Tourist Information Centre is at the Tithe Barn, NP7 5ND. More info at abergavenny.org.uk/ abergavennynow.com
Parking try Brewery Yard Short Stay (NP7 5SD) behind Morrisons/ beside Art Chapel Café or Fairfield Long Stay opp Morrisons (NP7 5SG)
Further into Wales, on the other side of the Black Mountains is Crickhowell, and if you’re heading that way Book-ish Bookshop and Café is a good stop off (www.book-ish.co.uk / NP8 1BD).