Rhiannon’s guidebook - walks, sightseeing, food and drinks, kids stuff, adrenaline activities and wellness.
Rhiannon
Rhiannon’s guidebook - walks, sightseeing, food and drinks, kids stuff, adrenaline activities and wellness.
Sightseeing and local festivals
there's some great wild swimming around the back of the castle and a great picnic spot in the castle grounds
31 locals recommend
Skenfrith Castle
there's some great wild swimming around the back of the castle and a great picnic spot in the castle grounds
Crickhowell
great for super local shops, lovely cafes and river walks.
canoeing, walking or just popping by the saracens head for a lovely cold beer and some absolutely amazing food - don't forget to book if you want to visit. about a 25 min drive from the site.
191 locals recommend
Symonds Yat
canoeing, walking or just popping by the saracens head for a lovely cold beer and some absolutely amazing food - don't forget to book if you want to visit. about a 25 min drive from the site.
a bit of a drive but a lovely one! Great bookshops to visit on a rainy day!
286 locals recommend
Hay-on-Wye
a bit of a drive but a lovely one! Great bookshops to visit on a rainy day!
Awesome lake to paddle board, canoe and kayak safely. There’s also sailing and swimming slots. Very good for kids and we’re suits provided.
24 locals recommend
Llandegfedd Reservoir
Awesome lake to paddle board, canoe and kayak safely. There’s also sailing and swimming slots. Very good for kids and we’re suits provided.
Great walks and art about a 50 mins drive away. You can rent bikes and there are cycles tracks all around the woods. Great for all ages. Great for sunny days and when the weather isn’t so great.
90 locals recommend
Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail
Speech House RoadGreat walks and art about a 50 mins drive away. You can rent bikes and there are cycles tracks all around the woods. Great for all ages. Great for sunny days and when the weather isn’t so great.
Wye Canoes Ltd
Raglan Castle
Castle RoadGreat for a rainy day. Fab castle with lots to see.
Gorgeous Victorian reservoir with incredible views and a little mountain bothy to light a fire in and have a snuggly lunch on a cold day!
10 locals recommend
Grwyne Fawr Reservoir
Gorgeous Victorian reservoir with incredible views and a little mountain bothy to light a fire in and have a snuggly lunch on a cold day!
Great music festival in crickhowell, tickets need to be booked in advance and so do taxis, which cost approx £30 each way.
17 locals recommend
Green Man Festival
Great music festival in crickhowell, tickets need to be booked in advance and so do taxis, which cost approx £30 each way.
The town comes alive! Not to be missed food festival! Don’t forget to get taxis booked early as there aren’t many available during the food festival.
29 locals recommend
Abergavenny Food Festival
63 Frogmore StThe town comes alive! Not to be missed food festival! Don’t forget to get taxis booked early as there aren’t many available during the food festival.
About an hour drive from us, but great music, good and vibes.
17 locals recommend
Brecon Jazz Festival
8 Bell LaneAbout an hour drive from us, but great music, good and vibes.
Awesome literary festival. We’ve seen the most incredible speakers - John snow the news reader, Kate tempest the spoken word artist, Robert plant from led zeppelin and a whole host of other people! Cheap events, food and music. Highly recommend. No entry fee.
35 locals recommend
The Hay Festival
Brecon RoadAwesome literary festival. We’ve seen the most incredible speakers - John snow the news reader, Kate tempest the spoken word artist, Robert plant from led zeppelin and a whole host of other people! Cheap events, food and music. Highly recommend. No entry fee.
A 40 mins drive from the barn. Great for a rainy day. There’s also lovely forest walls for sunny days. A gorgeous Welsh love letter to the lady of the castle. Stop in Newport undercover food market on your way home. Great selection of street food all under one roof.
168 locals recommend
Castell Coch
A 40 mins drive from the barn. Great for a rainy day. There’s also lovely forest walls for sunny days. A gorgeous Welsh love letter to the lady of the castle. Stop in Newport undercover food market on your way home. Great selection of street food all under one roof.
Wernddu Golf Club
Old Ross RoadFlood lit driving range, club house and pitch and put.
Pubs, restaurants, vineyards and bakeries
Great wine tasting and lunch spot with great views and awesome walks up the mountains -park in st marks vale car park and walk up through the woods. the main car park at the top is closed at the moment
40 locals recommend
Sugarloaf Vineyards
Pentre LaneGreat wine tasting and lunch spot with great views and awesome walks up the mountains -park in st marks vale car park and walk up through the woods. the main car park at the top is closed at the moment
awesome Michelin start restaurant - just ten minutes in a cab from the barn.
81 locals recommend
The Walnut Tree
awesome Michelin start restaurant - just ten minutes in a cab from the barn.
the head chef here was head chef at the walnut tree for over ten years - you know your in for a treat! they do a great lunch deal too and a really special Sunday lunch.
12 locals recommend
The Gaff
Unit 4 Lion Stthe head chef here was head chef at the walnut tree for over ten years - you know your in for a treat! they do a great lunch deal too and a really special Sunday lunch.
awesome local pub with great food and fun atmosphere. really nice covered beer garden. Ten mins drive from the barn. Lovely pub. Great, good value Sunday lunch. Book in advance as v popular.
13 locals recommend
The Hunters Moon Inn
awesome local pub with great food and fun atmosphere. really nice covered beer garden. Ten mins drive from the barn. Lovely pub. Great, good value Sunday lunch. Book in advance as v popular.
great to pick up lunch, bread or any essentials. their sausage rolls are next level! Run by the same team who own the walnut tree (Michelin star restaurant).
10 locals recommend
The Angel Bakery
50 Lower Castle Stgreat to pick up lunch, bread or any essentials. their sausage rolls are next level! Run by the same team who own the walnut tree (Michelin star restaurant).
Kong's Restaurant
Lion Streetbest chinese in Abergavenny!
Pizzorante
Market Streetbest pizza and pasta in Abergavenny.
Best booze shop ever! And you can sit outside and enjoy a glass on wine there too! They also do small plates, foodie pop ups and cocktails and music some evenings.
Chesters Wine Merchants
46 Cross StBest booze shop ever! And you can sit outside and enjoy a glass on wine there too! They also do small plates, foodie pop ups and cocktails and music some evenings.
You can go for a lush stroll along the canal twoards crickhowell and then come back and enjoy a street food pop ups here. We absolutely love it here. Pop ups change weekly. Check out their gram for details.
9 locals recommend
The Towpath Inn
49 Main RdYou can go for a lush stroll along the canal twoards crickhowell and then come back and enjoy a street food pop ups here. We absolutely love it here. Pop ups change weekly. Check out their gram for details.
You can easily spend a whole afternoon here drinking and eating a veggie or meat platter. Listening to rob tell you about his wonderful vineyard, plus it’s only about ten mins drive from the house. And, if your feeling energetic you could always walk it from the barn!
13 locals recommend
White Castle Vineyard
You can easily spend a whole afternoon here drinking and eating a veggie or meat platter. Listening to rob tell you about his wonderful vineyard, plus it’s only about ten mins drive from the house. And, if your feeling energetic you could always walk it from the barn!
Really great seasonal food. Money saving tip - go for lunch and eat off the snacks and starters menu. It’s great! Make sure you book as it’s very popular.
7 locals recommend
The Black Bear Inn
Clytha RoadReally great seasonal food. Money saving tip - go for lunch and eat off the snacks and starters menu. It’s great! Make sure you book as it’s very popular.
Wood fired cooking by a famous ex comedian.The food and company are absolutely extraordinary. It’s BYO and you can stay as late as you want! Might be best to book a cab!
12 locals recommend
Under The Nut Tree
Wood fired cooking by a famous ex comedian.The food and company are absolutely extraordinary. It’s BYO and you can stay as late as you want! Might be best to book a cab!
Absolutely gorgeous country pub run by the wild by nature team - an absolute must! Great to stop in after a visit to hay on wye
13 locals recommend
The Bulls Head
Absolutely gorgeous country pub run by the wild by nature team - an absolute must! Great to stop in after a visit to hay on wye
Great value local pub. Good to combine with walk along the Usk and around the bluebell woods in the hill fort.
12 locals recommend
The Clytha Arms
Great value local pub. Good to combine with walk along the Usk and around the bluebell woods in the hill fort.
Award winning whiskey and very good gin. Whiskey tasting available. Good to
Combine with a visit to waterfall country.
84 locals recommend
Penderyn Distillery Visitor Centre
PontprenAward winning whiskey and very good gin. Whiskey tasting available. Good to
Combine with a visit to waterfall country.
Great for a long lunch or their award winning afternoon tea on a rainy day. Excellent food.
62 locals recommend
The Angel Hotel
15 Cross StGreat for a long lunch or their award winning afternoon tea on a rainy day. Excellent food.
The Whitebrook
Very special Michelin star restaurant. A treat :)
Boonta Too Thai Restaurant
22 Cross StGreat Thai food in town. BYO. Take away is very good value and great too.
Bean & Bread
36 Lion StAwesome brunch spot - great for vegan and veggies too.
Really special Indian restaurant. Lots of love goes into their food and everything they make is very unique.
11 locals recommend
Gurkha Corner Restaurant
10 Nevill StReally special Indian restaurant. Lots of love goes into their food and everything they make is very unique.
Sushi House
Great sushi house in town. Also does take away.
Lovely pub in the heart of crickhowell Pop along the river Usk for a lovely stroll and loop back through the glan Usk estate and along the canal. Finnish up with some lovely, hearty, local food at the black bear hotel. Pick a table next to the roaring fires.
55 locals recommend
The Bear Hotel
High StreetLovely pub in the heart of crickhowell Pop along the river Usk for a lovely stroll and loop back through the glan Usk estate and along the canal. Finnish up with some lovely, hearty, local food at the black bear hotel. Pick a table next to the roaring fires.
Lovely gastro pub. Right in the heart of grosmont. Go and visit all three castles - grosmont, whitecastle and skenfrith and Finnish up here for a lovely meal.
6 locals recommend
The Angel Inn
Lovely gastro pub. Right in the heart of grosmont. Go and visit all three castles - grosmont, whitecastle and skenfrith and Finnish up here for a lovely meal.
Awesome new bakery in town. Check out their gram to see their cult baked goods. The best brownie you’ll ever eat. For sure! Awesome selection of bread, croissants and cakes.
Ty Melin Bakery
Awesome new bakery in town. Check out their gram to see their cult baked goods. The best brownie you’ll ever eat. For sure! Awesome selection of bread, croissants and cakes.
The Art Shop & Chapel
Great brunch stop. Plus lovely art exhibitions upstairs and lovely gifts.
my favourite walks
gorgeous walks and views - park at the top car park and do a circuit all around the top.
37 locals recommend
Blorenge
gorgeous walks and views - park at the top car park and do a circuit all around the top.
awesome mountain walk - about an hour and a bit up. 10 mins drive from the house.
17 locals recommend
Ysgyryd Fawr
awesome mountain walk - about an hour and a bit up. 10 mins drive from the house.
lovely woodland walks - great for a rainy or sunny day. Great for dogs off the lead as there’s no 🐑
The Hendre
lovely woodland walks - great for a rainy or sunny day. Great for dogs off the lead as there’s no 🐑
you can cycle all the way to Brecon along this canal and stop at the many gorgeous pubs and will swimming pubs. this walk is also great for a rainy day. park at Abergavenny garden centre and head up the lane opposite, towards the blorenge.
67 locals recommend
Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal
you can cycle all the way to Brecon along this canal and stop at the many gorgeous pubs and will swimming pubs. this walk is also great for a rainy day. park at Abergavenny garden centre and head up the lane opposite, towards the blorenge.
Great mountain to visit, ten min drive from the barn. Drive to sugarloaf vineyards, go past it and keep driving up. Don’t stop going up until you can’t go any further. There’s a great car park near the base of the mountain with incredible views. Gets very busy on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.
94 locals recommend
Sugar Loaf
Great mountain to visit, ten min drive from the barn. Drive to sugarloaf vineyards, go past it and keep driving up. Don’t stop going up until you can’t go any further. There’s a great car park near the base of the mountain with incredible views. Gets very busy on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.
Lovely walk with scenic views. Park at mynydd du car park, take a picnic and see if you can find the bothy at the end of the reservoir to eat your picnic in!
10 locals recommend
Grwyne Fawr Reservoir
Lovely walk with scenic views. Park at mynydd du car park, take a picnic and see if you can find the bothy at the end of the reservoir to eat your picnic in!
The gateway to the Brecon Beacons - two great pubs in the village along with lovely waterfalls to visit a little further along from the village. Great day out from the barn.
Tal-y-bont
The gateway to the Brecon Beacons - two great pubs in the village along with lovely waterfalls to visit a little further along from the village. Great day out from the barn.
On our doorstep! Walk the wye valley paths - park up at Monmouth or Symonds yat by the saracens head pub (highly recommended although you have to book)
76 locals recommend
Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
On our doorstep! Walk the wye valley paths - park up at Monmouth or Symonds yat by the saracens head pub (highly recommended although you have to book)
A whole valley of gorgeous waterfalls. Great adventure all year round. About an hour drive from the barn but a great day out. Park at the gwaun hempste car park and make sure you visit Sgwd eira - you can walk behind it! I spent my childhood in this gorgeous valley ❤️
39 locals recommend
Waterfall Country
2 High St A whole valley of gorgeous waterfalls. Great adventure all year round. About an hour drive from the barn but a great day out. Park at the gwaun hempste car park and make sure you visit Sgwd eira - you can walk behind it! I spent my childhood in this gorgeous valley ❤️
wild swimming
great wild swimming on the use, park up the car at the national trust car park and head down the track. keen following the river up and you'll see small tracks down to the river and perfect sunbathing spots.
Clytha
great wild swimming on the use, park up the car at the national trust car park and head down the track. keen following the river up and you'll see small tracks down to the river and perfect sunbathing spots.
Waterfall Country
2 High StGreat for swimming behind the castle. Lush for a picnic. Even on a really hot day it’s great as there’s loads of shade too.
31 locals recommend
Skenfrith Castle
Great for swimming behind the castle. Lush for a picnic. Even on a really hot day it’s great as there’s loads of shade too.
Kids
Great activity center and petting zoo for kids! Amazing for both rainy and sunny days. There’s an on-site cafe to get a yummy lunch too. Very good value for money.
Raglan Farm Park
Chepstow RoadGreat cycle hire to buzz around the Forest of Dean - try and make it to the saracens head for lunch!
48 locals recommend
Cannop Cycle Centre
New RoadGreat cycle hire to buzz around the Forest of Dean - try and make it to the saracens head for lunch!
Mystical woods, often used for film sets. About a 25 min drive from the barn.
159 locals recommend
Puzzlewood
Perrygrove RoadMystical woods, often used for film sets. About a 25 min drive from the barn.
Don’t want to walk down the wye valley!? Cruise instead! Great for a rainy day. Make sure you book the saracens head pub (it gets really busy) for after.
7 locals recommend
Kingfisher Cruises Symonds Yat
Don’t want to walk down the wye valley!? Cruise instead! Great for a rainy day. Make sure you book the saracens head pub (it gets really busy) for after.
Lovely adventure for little ones, especially good for rainy days.
55 locals recommend
Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo
Lovely adventure for little ones, especially good for rainy days.
A free and fun adventure for kids! You get to go in the lifts to go down into the mine shafts and crawl through one of you want! You just have to book a time slot.
174 locals recommend
Big Pit National Coal Museum
A free and fun adventure for kids! You get to go in the lifts to go down into the mine shafts and crawl through one of you want! You just have to book a time slot.
Pony rides, animal petting, all round kids fun. About a 40 mins drive from the barn. But a gorgeous drive right through the Brecon Beacons. Drop by the bear inn at crickhowell for a homey pub lunch with roaring fire.
38 locals recommend
Cantref - Adventure Farm
Pony rides, animal petting, all round kids fun. About a 40 mins drive from the barn. But a gorgeous drive right through the Brecon Beacons. Drop by the bear inn at crickhowell for a homey pub lunch with roaring fire.
Cute Farm Experience
Adrenaline adventure
Downhill mountain biking for grown up children and adults
15 locals recommend
Black Mountains Cycle Centre
Downhill mountain biking for grown up children and adults
Zip World Tower
Tallest mountain in South Wales - needs no introduction! Make sure you wear correct clothing to go up! And stop at the three horseshoes inn @ groesfordd on the way back! Their Sunday lunch is incredible!
225 locals recommend
Pen-y-Fan
Tallest mountain in South Wales - needs no introduction! Make sure you wear correct clothing to go up! And stop at the three horseshoes inn @ groesfordd on the way back! Their Sunday lunch is incredible!
Cardiff International White Water
Watkiss WayGo Ape Forest of Dean (Beechenhurst Lodge - Tree Top Adventure FORMERLY JUNIOR)
Speech House RoadWellness and spa treatments
A gorgeous little spa using clarins products - book in advance as it’s popular! Massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.
Claire Price Beauty Clinic
Hereford RoadA gorgeous little spa using clarins products - book in advance as it’s popular! Massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.
This is an absolutely gorgeous yoga studio in the heart of the brecons, it takes about 25 mins to get there and they have classes running most days.
Flexi Soul Yoga
Standard StreetThis is an absolutely gorgeous yoga studio in the heart of the brecons, it takes about 25 mins to get there and they have classes running most days.