Located north of the town centre, this former fruit farm, adjacent to a golf club and driving…
Our View
The varied ancient semi-natural woodland of the Coed-y-Cerrig NNR north of Abergavenny contains magnificent beeches, bluebells and butterflies. The wet woodland area at the bottom of the valley is populated mainly by alder and willow, while on the drier soil of the slopes, ash and hazel flourish. Beech, oak and small-leaved lime dominate the hilltop. Although the wet woodland covers a small area, it is considered to be one of the best examples of an alluvial forest in the UK. Wildflowers include yellow pimpernel, herb Paris, wood anemone, bluebells, primroses, lords-and-ladies, nettle-leaved bellflower and early purple orchid. Hazelnuts scattered across the forest floor indicate the presence of dormice, which nest either in dense undergrowth, holes in trees or in boxes specially put up for the purpose. A good range of birds can be seen including woodland warblers and woodpeckers. Numerous butterfly species have been noted here, including the rare silver-washed fritillary.
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Discover Monmouthshire
In their bid to control the borderlands of Monmouthshire – also known as the Marches – the Normans built a triangle of castles: Grosmont, Skenfrith and White. At first, they were simple wooden structures strengthened by earthworks, but when the lively Welsh refused to stop attacking them, it was decided more permanent fortresses were needed. All three are worth a visit and the views from the battlements at White Castle over the surrounding countryside to the Black Mountains are stunning, as is all the scenery in this area – consisting of a patchwork of low hills, hidden valleys, fields criss-crossed with hedgerows and small belts of woodland.
Monmouth itself makes a great base to explore the beautiful Wye Valley, as well as being known as the home of Rockfield Studios, where Queen recorded Bohemian Rhapsody in 1975. The largest town in the county, Abergavenny is creating a name for itself as the foodie capital of the Usk Valley, and has held a weekly cattle market on the same site since 1863. Its location just six miles from the English border means it’s often described as the ‘gateway to Wales’.
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