Holiday rentals in Abergavenny

The Welsh market town of Abergavenny sits in verdant countryside between the Black Mountains, midway between Cardiff and the cathedral city of Hereford. You’ll find well-preserved historical remains and ruins from Abergavenny’s medieval past scattered throughout the city. The town centre teems with cafes and restaurants, from tea rooms and cosy cafes to brasseries and pubs focusing on locally sourced ingredients. Independent shops and market stalls line the streets, and the Market Hall, whose grand clock tower rises above the area, hosts flea markets every week as well as monthly farmer’s markets and craft fairs throughout the year.

Abergavenny’s location on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park gives you access to a plethora of nature walks, including the Llanfoist Canal West Walk, along with more challenging hikes to the summits of the Sugar Loaf mountain and the Blorenge. A 15-minute drive south of town, the Goytre Wharf and Canal Visitor Centre’s industrial heritage buildings provide an exceptional backdrop for scenic walks and bike rides through lush fields and woodlands. If you’re tempted to sail along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, you can hire canoes and canal boats here.

The crisp autumn air and the changing colours on the surrounding hillsides make October and November some of the best times to book holiday cottages in Abergavenny. Shades of ochre, gold, and crimson cloak the valleys and Sugar Loaf Mountain, and the orchards are brimming with apples. Just remember to pack a warm waterproof layer, as temperatures start to drop as summer comes to an end, and rain is always a possibility.

The town hosts events, markets, and festivals throughout the year. At the end of May, the Abergavenny Rotary Club hosts the Abergavenny Steam Rally in Bailey Park, capped with a parade of steam engines and vintage vehicles. For two days during September, the town hosts a food festival, and the whole town comes to life with food stalls and chef demonstrations. At the end of November, Christmas lights illuminate the town centre, kicking off the festive season.

Abergavenny Museum

Situated on the grounds housing the ruins of the town’s Norman castle, the Abergavenny Museum features changing exhibitions and displays that share insight into the market town’s history. Explore a traditional Victorian farmhouse kitchen, WWII air raid shelter, and a grocery shop. Children can have fun with Castle Explorer rucksacks and activity sheets, and the museum staff are always happy to answer questions about the town and surrounding area.

White Castle

The 12th-century White Castle is a moated medieval castle 15 minutes east of town. Although it mostly lies in ruins, the outer ward has remained intact, and its imposing structure forms a dramatic presence against the rolling countryside. The castle features four round towers, two of which frame an impressive gatehouse. Bring lunch with you, so you can relax at an on-site picnic table after wandering the grounds.

St Issui Church

A narrow, flower-lined path leads to the 11th-century St Issui Church, which sits atop a hillside 20 minutes from the town centre, overlooking verdant valleys towards the peak of Sugar Loaf. Don’t miss the intricately carved 15th-century rood screen made of Irish bog oak, and the wall painting depicting the Day of Judgement.