Liz's Guidebook to Monmouth
Entertainment
Monmouth has a lovely old cinema showing the latest films as well as NT Live showings. There is also a fabulous new modern theatre and a number of pubs offering live music. Monmouthshire and the surrounding areas have some pretty amazing festivals too!
The Monmouth Savoy is the oldest theatre site in Wales and is run by a team of volunteers and theatrical enthusiasts. The cinema has new digital equipment and shows most of the current movies with adult tickets from just £5
24 locals recommend
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
Church StreetThe Monmouth Savoy is the oldest theatre site in Wales and is run by a team of volunteers and theatrical enthusiasts. The cinema has new digital equipment and shows most of the current movies with adult tickets from just £5
The Blake Theatre in Monmouth is a venue for premier music, theatre and live events.
7 locals recommend
The Blake Theatre
Almshouse StreetThe Blake Theatre in Monmouth is a venue for premier music, theatre and live events.
Great pub for live music on Sunday nights and the occasional mid-week event. Very friendly venue.
Queens Head Inn
1 St James StGreat pub for live music on Sunday nights and the occasional mid-week event. Very friendly venue.
Food scene
Here are some of my very favourite places to eat in (a 20 minute) walking distance from my place located in Monmouth town:
The Whole Earth Cafe and Bistro is owned and managed by a lovely Thai lady called Prae. She and her charming staff serve authentic Thai food on Friday and Saturday nights as well as traditional British breakfasts, snacks and light lunches during the week.
The cafe is small and not licensed so you’ll have to take your own wine. The food is lovely and the service is gentle. A real gem!
14 locals recommend
The Whole Earth Cafe Bistro
10 White Swan CtThe Whole Earth Cafe and Bistro is owned and managed by a lovely Thai lady called Prae. She and her charming staff serve authentic Thai food on Friday and Saturday nights as well as traditional British breakfasts, snacks and light lunches during the week.
The cafe is small and not licensed so you’ll have to take your own wine. The food is lovely and the service is gentle. A real gem!
Really excellent contemporary Indian food. I love it, my friends love it and the service is superb.
8 locals recommend
Jewel Balti Contemporary
39 Drybridge StReally excellent contemporary Indian food. I love it, my friends love it and the service is superb.
This is the closest of the many Indian restaurants in Monmouth to my place. It's been here as long as I can remember and has a good local following. 20 minutes walk from my front door.
10 locals recommend
The Misbah Tandoori
9 Priory StThis is the closest of the many Indian restaurants in Monmouth to my place. It's been here as long as I can remember and has a good local following. 20 minutes walk from my front door.
Favourite places to eat out of town
We are so lucky to have some superb award-winning restaurants in Monmouthshire serving gorgeous food in exceptional surroundings. There are also some superb pubs serving local ales and ciders and pretty decent pub food.
These recommendations are just a little bit out of Monmouth town and you'll need to drive or take a taxi.
The Stonemill is just a short drive out of Monmouth and is worth the trip for the fabulous fine dining and beautiful interior. Sunday lunch is especially good!
22 locals recommend
Stonemill Restaurant
B4233The Stonemill is just a short drive out of Monmouth and is worth the trip for the fabulous fine dining and beautiful interior. Sunday lunch is especially good!
My favourite place for lunch, dinner and Sunday Lunch. The Saracens is a popular pub close to Symonds Yat and is located on the banks of the river Wye. Great atmosphere and very dog friendly (in the bar or outside terrace).
59 locals recommend
The Saracens Head Inn
My favourite place for lunch, dinner and Sunday Lunch. The Saracens is a popular pub close to Symonds Yat and is located on the banks of the river Wye. Great atmosphere and very dog friendly (in the bar or outside terrace).
Love, love, love this pub by the river Wye. Small inside but has a garden and tables by the river. Typical pub food and the most amazing range of local Welsh and Herefordshire cider. Try Black Dragon (if someone else is driving) or Happydaze!
40 locals recommend
The Boat Inn
Lone LaneLove, love, love this pub by the river Wye. Small inside but has a garden and tables by the river. Typical pub food and the most amazing range of local Welsh and Herefordshire cider. Try Black Dragon (if someone else is driving) or Happydaze!
For years this superb award-winning restaurant has been attracting diners from all over the world. The food is an eclectic mix, based on Shaun Hill’s personal taste, paired with sound cooking techniques; rather than a particular country's cuisine. A unifying feature is the core of excellent ingredients.
If anyone wanted to treat me to lunch or dinner this would be my first choice in Monmouthshire. Excellent food at respectably fair prices.
81 locals recommend
The Walnut Tree
For years this superb award-winning restaurant has been attracting diners from all over the world. The food is an eclectic mix, based on Shaun Hill’s personal taste, paired with sound cooking techniques; rather than a particular country's cuisine. A unifying feature is the core of excellent ingredients.
If anyone wanted to treat me to lunch or dinner this would be my first choice in Monmouthshire. Excellent food at respectably fair prices.
Located in Llandenny - not actually in Raglan - but worth the countryside drive to eat excellent pub food. The Raglan Arms has won many awards and is justifiably on the expensive side if you want to go for the full three courses. Lunch is also excellent and less £s!
6 locals recommend
Raglan Arms
Located in Llandenny - not actually in Raglan - but worth the countryside drive to eat excellent pub food. The Raglan Arms has won many awards and is justifiably on the expensive side if you want to go for the full three courses. Lunch is also excellent and less £s!
Sightseeing
Monmouth is located in the beautiful Wye Valley and there are many walks and special places to visit.
76 locals recommend
Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Monmouth is located in the beautiful Wye Valley and there are many walks and special places to visit.
Located on the very edge of Monmouth this Biodynamic and organic vineyard produces wines grown from grapes grown without the use of any pesticides. On Fridays and Saturdays the Winery, Vineyard and The Cellar Door are open for tours, tastings and a Welsh Cheese platter lunch. You can even adopt a vine as a special gift. I have taken guests and friends to visit and everyone has been super-impressed with the ethics, techniques and, of course, the wine!
Ancre Hill Vineyard
Rockfield RoadLocated on the very edge of Monmouth this Biodynamic and organic vineyard produces wines grown from grapes grown without the use of any pesticides. On Fridays and Saturdays the Winery, Vineyard and The Cellar Door are open for tours, tastings and a Welsh Cheese platter lunch. You can even adopt a vine as a special gift. I have taken guests and friends to visit and everyone has been super-impressed with the ethics, techniques and, of course, the wine!
I've been taking guests to the Sculpture Trail for years. It's been, and still is, one of my favourite places to walk and enjoy the art installations in the Forest of Dean. The cafe is great and there is a lovely play area for children. You can even hire the well kitted out BBQ field for private outdoor parties.
90 locals recommend
Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail
Speech House RoadI've been taking guests to the Sculpture Trail for years. It's been, and still is, one of my favourite places to walk and enjoy the art installations in the Forest of Dean. The cafe is great and there is a lovely play area for children. You can even hire the well kitted out BBQ field for private outdoor parties.
High up on top of the river Wye where it forms an ox bow loop you can see 5 counties from this spectacular viewpoint. There is also an RSPB lookout point (Peregrine falcons) and lots of arked walks leading fro the Yat rock. Perfect for all ages.
191 locals recommend
Symonds Yat
High up on top of the river Wye where it forms an ox bow loop you can see 5 counties from this spectacular viewpoint. There is also an RSPB lookout point (Peregrine falcons) and lots of arked walks leading fro the Yat rock. Perfect for all ages.
Great for hiring bikes for enjoying the cycle trails in the Forest of Dean. All size bikes available.
48 locals recommend
Cannop Cycle Centre
New RoadGreat for hiring bikes for enjoying the cycle trails in the Forest of Dean. All size bikes available.
The views! Oh the views...
Drive (or walk - if you're fit) up to this truly amazing viewpoint and gaze at the Brecon Beacons, Hay Bluff, The Sugar Loaf and the panoramic view of Monmouth town. On the other side of the hilltop is England - the start of the Forest of Dean. The Kymin has an historic round house and Naval Temple to see as well as the most beautiful walk through the Beaulieu woods. If you see a woman with two beagles up there it will be me. My favourite place to walk my dogs.
24 locals recommend
The Kymin
The views! Oh the views...
Drive (or walk - if you're fit) up to this truly amazing viewpoint and gaze at the Brecon Beacons, Hay Bluff, The Sugar Loaf and the panoramic view of Monmouth town. On the other side of the hilltop is England - the start of the Forest of Dean. The Kymin has an historic round house and Naval Temple to see as well as the most beautiful walk through the Beaulieu woods. If you see a woman with two beagles up there it will be me. My favourite place to walk my dogs.
Tintern Abbey stands in roofless splendour on the banks of the River Wye between Chepstow and Monmouth. It was founded in 1131 by Cistercian monks.
In 1535 Henry VIII’s English Reformation was well underway and within a year Tintern Abbey surrendered in the first round of the dissolution of the monasteries.
Today visitors can wander through the glorious ruins and marvel at how much of this magnificent building still remains.
167 locals recommend
Tintern Abbey / Abaty Tyndryn
Tintern Abbey stands in roofless splendour on the banks of the River Wye between Chepstow and Monmouth. It was founded in 1131 by Cistercian monks.
In 1535 Henry VIII’s English Reformation was well underway and within a year Tintern Abbey surrendered in the first round of the dissolution of the monasteries.
Today visitors can wander through the glorious ruins and marvel at how much of this magnificent building still remains.
My favourite shops
I have never failed to find something lovely to wear in this shop. The staff are terrific and intuitively seem to know what will suit me best. If you love cotton, linen, wool and gorgeous colours this is the shop for ladies who don't do (much) bling but really want to look comfortably stylish.
Raft Clothing of Monmouth
102 Monnow StI have never failed to find something lovely to wear in this shop. The staff are terrific and intuitively seem to know what will suit me best. If you love cotton, linen, wool and gorgeous colours this is the shop for ladies who don't do (much) bling but really want to look comfortably stylish.
This is the nearest our small town gets to a department store! Primarily a kitchen shop Salt and Pepper has a fabulous cafe, a gift shop, a clothes shop and is staffed by the nicest of people.
Salt & Pepper Ltd
31-33 Monnow StThis is the nearest our small town gets to a department store! Primarily a kitchen shop Salt and Pepper has a fabulous cafe, a gift shop, a clothes shop and is staffed by the nicest of people.
Workshops and Courses
Didier and Dandelion offer creative craft workshops for individuals and small groups. The day courses include refreshments and are always great fun.
Didier & Dandelion Ltd
72 Monnow StDidier and Dandelion offer creative craft workshops for individuals and small groups. The day courses include refreshments and are always great fun.
Chapel Cottage Studio and Gallery is an Art teaching studio nestled into the Welsh countryside just 4 miles from Abergavenny.
Run by artist Jantien Powell and her daughter Tirza Snook, Chapel Cottage Studio hold a wide selection of art workshops suitable for all abilities.
Chapel Cottage Studio
Chapel Cottage Studio and Gallery is an Art teaching studio nestled into the Welsh countryside just 4 miles from Abergavenny.
Run by artist Jantien Powell and her daughter Tirza Snook, Chapel Cottage Studio hold a wide selection of art workshops suitable for all abilities.
Broadcaster and natural world expert Kate Humble has a a thriving rural skills centre in Penallt - just a few miles outside of Monmouth. Here you can learn rural skills, enjoy food and cookery courses learn a new craft or even how to keep bees. As a passionate bread maker I have attended sourdough bread making courses here and highly recommend thisvery special place of natural learning. Great cafe too!
11 locals recommend
Humble By Nature
Broadcaster and natural world expert Kate Humble has a a thriving rural skills centre in Penallt - just a few miles outside of Monmouth. Here you can learn rural skills, enjoy food and cookery courses learn a new craft or even how to keep bees. As a passionate bread maker I have attended sourdough bread making courses here and highly recommend thisvery special place of natural learning. Great cafe too!
Festivals
Abergavenny Food Festival enjoys an exceptional reputation as a place for chefs, food businesses, journalists, farmers and food producers to come together. Known worldwide as a popular event for everyone who loves food to explore and learn about new, traditional and innovative ingredients, products and cooking.
29 locals recommend
Abergavenny Food Festival
63 Frogmore StAbergavenny Food Festival enjoys an exceptional reputation as a place for chefs, food businesses, journalists, farmers and food producers to come together. Known worldwide as a popular event for everyone who loves food to explore and learn about new, traditional and innovative ingredients, products and cooking.