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Self-guided tours & group itineraries

Here are four suggestions for one day itineraries.

The Picturesque Wye Tour

It’s more than 250 years since William Gilpin took a boat tour down the River Wye in 1770, an event that heralded the birth of British tourism. This tour explores what inspired Gilpin (and Turner and Wordsworth amongst many others) as you retrace his journey down the Wye Valley.

Download the Wye Tour visitor guide

Glorious Gardens of Monmouthshire

Monmouthshire is known as a 'Gardener's County' with both contemporary and historic gardens, large and small, to view and explore. Start in the south at the rediscovered Dewstow Gardens and Grottoes, the largest and most important Pulham site in Wales.

Then head up the Wye Valley to the contemporary romantic Veddw House Garden with its geometric yew-hedged secret rooms. Next on the itinerary is the Wye Valley Sculpture Garden nestled in its tranquil and secluded setting on a gentle sunny slope in Tintern.

From there head north to the 12 acres of pristine arts and crafts gardens at High Glanau, designed by H. Avery Tipping in 1922.

End with a visit to Llanover Garden, a stunning 15 acre historic garden with unusual herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees, and a circular walled garden, surrounded by parkland. This garden features in the November edition of RHS Garden Magazine and is particularly stunning in autumn.

Food & History

Discover the very best of our history and food with our Explore Monmouthshire itinerary, taking you from the middle ages to modern vineyards.

Start at the Norman Caldicot Castle and its idyllic country park; travel onto the Victorian Old Station Tintern; visit the Georgian Shire Hall in Monmouth; follow up with wine tasting at White Castle Vineyard; and finally, settle in for a sumptuous Afternoon Tea at The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny.

The Agincourt Wales Trail

Explore the landscape into which Henry V was born, where he tested his military tactics, and from where he drew vital support for his campaign in France.

The Battle of Agincourt, on 25 October 1415, is one of the best-known events in British history. The Agincourt Wales Trail links eight locations across the region, telling the stories of the people and places that played a role in the famous battle.

The story of Henry V’s forces epic defeat of a much larger French army has been immortalised in tales, plays and poetry familiar to all. What is less well known is the role played by Wales in Henry’s stirring victory. Five hundred Welsh archers and 23 men-at-arms travelled to fight in France – many of them from the Breconshire and Monmouthshire region – along with a contingent of archers and miners from the Forest of Dean. Discover how that loyalty was rewarded as Welsh nobles grew in wealth and status and we move towards the birth of the Tudor dynasty.

Building on the success of the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt in 2015, a new interpretation trail has been developed to commemorate Wales’ Agincourt connections.

The Agincourt 600 Commemorative Fund has worked with the Woodland Trust to plant trees at many of the locations to provide a permanent memorial which will grow and develop as the years go by. Following the Trail will allow visitors to learn more about the Agincourt story as they explore the region.

Download the Agincourt Wales Trail guide

During the Battle of Agincourt, King Henry V kept the crown jewels in a tower at St Pierre, near Chepstow. Today this is the Marriott St Pierre, a hotel and golf club set around the medieval manor house.

Tour Guides

Make the most of your visit to the region by hiring the services of a professional tour guide. Members of the Wales Official Tour Guide Association are the only guides officially recognised to be able to guide in Wales. They provide highly trained, professional and experienced Blue Badge Guides, who will help bring your journey to life.

There are dozens of guides, each with their own specialisms, interests and language skills. Blue Badge Guides can take you all over the region, whilst Green Badge Guides offer a more specialist and localised expertise.

To find a guide to suit your needs, visit www.walesbestguides.com

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Coed Y Bwnydd Hill Fort & Woodlands

Address

Coed Y Bwnydd, Bettws Newydd, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1JS

Telephone
01874625515

brecon@nationaltrust.org.uk

Usk

Coed y Bwnydd is the largest and possibly best-preserved Iron Age hill fort in Monmouthshire, with a history of human involvement stretching back more than 2,000 years.
Birch Tree Well NGS Garden

Type

Type:

Garden

Address

Birch Tree Well, Upper Ferry Road, Penallt, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 4AN

Telephone
01600 775327

gillian.bourchier@btinternet.com

Penallt, Monmouth

Situated in the heart of the Lower Wye Valley, amongst the ancient habitat of woodland, rocks and streams
St Bridget's Church Skenfrith

Type

Type:

Church

Address

St Bridget's Church Skenfrith, Skenfrith, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 8UH

Telephone
01873 821405

revjean.prosser@btintern.com

Abergavenny

St. Bridget’s is an ancient church, consecrated in 1207, which has seen the worship of God through many centuries. This is one of the oldest churches in continuous use in Monmouthshire.
Chepstow Castle (Cadw)

Type

Type:

Castle

Address

Chepstow Castle, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 5EY

Telephone
03000 252239

ChepstowCastle@gov.wales

Chepstow

Beautifully preserved Chepstow Castle is a history lesson in stone. A massive and mighty medieval fortress. Spectacular River Wye setting. Impressive exhibition with life-size models.
Goytre Wharf & Canal Visitor Centre

Type

Type:

Heritage Centre

Address

Goytre Wharf & Canal Visitor Centre, Llanover, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 9EW

Telephone
01873 880516

abclg@goytrewharf.com

Abergavenny

Goytre Wharf is a 200 year old industrial heritage site that includes a busy visitor centre and marina on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.
Dewstow Gardens and Grottoes

Type

Type:

Garden

Address

Caerwent, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, NP26 5AH

Telephone
01291 431020

info@dewstowgardens.co.uk

Caldicot

A Magical & Wondrous Place. One of the most exciting horticultural finds of recent years has been the underground Edwardian gardens at Dewstow House in Monmouthshire.
Rogiet Countryside Park

Type

Type:

Park

Address

Rogiet, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, NP26 3WF

Telephone
01633 644850

countryside@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Caldicot

A free entry countryside park on the Gwent Levels, managed by Monmouthshire Countryside Service.
Abbey Tintern Furnace

Type

Type:

Historic Site

Address

Tintern, Tintern, Monmouthshire, NP16 6TS

Telephone
01633 644850

countryside@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Tintern

This site contains the excavated and part restored remains of a 17th century ironworks, a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Located in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Cornwall House

Type

Type:

Historic House

Address

58 Monmow Street, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 3EN

Telephone
01600 712031

jane2harvey@tiscali.co.uk

Monmouth

Town house, dating back to at least the 17th century. Red brick garden facade in Queen Anne style, dating from 1752. Street facade remodelled in Georgian style (date unknown). Many original features, including fine staircase.
Penallt Old Church

Type

Type:

Church

Address

Penallt Old Church, Penallt, The Rhadyr, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 4SE

Telephone
07495 445807

karenann.nz@gmail.com

The Rhadyr, Monmouth

Penallt Old Church is the oldest building in the village. The focal point of the parish even for those who rarely worship in it. Visible from miles around it is a spiritual refuge for the local parishioners and the many who use the footpaths that…
Usk Castle

Type

Type:

Castle

Address

Monmouth Road, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1SD

Telephone
01291 672563

info@uskcastle.com

Usk

Usk Castle nestles on a promontory overlooking the lovely town of Usk, hidden from sight most of the time, but just waiting for you to explore the ruins.
Ancre Hill Vineyard

Type

Type:

Vineyard

Address

Rockfield Road, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 5HS

Telephone
01600 714152

joy.morris@ancrehillestates.co.uk

Monmouth

A young, family run vineyard on south facing slopes in the beautiful Monmouthshire countryside. Specialising in sparkling wine, and Pinot Noir.
Whitestone Picnic Site

Type

Type:

Forest or Woodland

Address

Wye Valley Woodlands, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6NF

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Chepstow

Whitestone lies adjacent to a section of the famous Wye Valley Walk. Visitors to the site can enjoy pleasant walks that take in a number of fantastic views across the Wye Valley
Woodlands Farm NGS Garden

Type

Type:

Garden

Address

Woodlands Farm, Penrhos, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP15 2LE

Telephone
01600 780203

Woodlandsfarmwales@gmail.com

Monmouth

In 2022 we’re opening every day from the 9th to the 22nd of April when the amazing cherry blossom and spring bulbs should be at their best.
St Jerome's, Llangwm Uchaf

Type

Type:

Church

Address

St Jerome's,, Llangwm Uchaf, Llangwm, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1HA

Telephone
+44 (0)204 520 4458

office@friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk

Llangwm, Usk

Grade I listed church with one of the finest medieval screens in South Wales and dazzling Pre-Raphaelite floor tiles
Wye Valley Meadery

Type

Type:

Brewery

Address

Unit 5F,, Castleway Industrial Estate, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, NP26 5PR

Telephone
07840 874567

hey@wyevalleymeadery.co.uk

Caldicot

We are a small, family run company founded by two brothers and based in the beautiful Wye Valley, in the Welsh borders.
Wye Valley Sculpture Garden

Type

Type:

Garden

Address

Wye Valley Sculpture Garden, The Nurtons, Tintern, Monmouthshire, NP16 7NX

Telephone
01291 350 023

info@wyevalleysculpturegarden.co.uk

Tintern

You can find this garden nestled in its tranquil and secluded setting on a gentle sunny slope in the heart of the Lower Wye Valley showcasing the Sculptures of resident artist Gemma Kate Wood
St Martin's Church, Cwmyoy

Type

Type:

Church

Address

St Martin's Church, Cwmyoy, Vale of Ewyas, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 7NS

mardyvicarage@yahoo.co.uk

Vale of Ewyas, Abergavenny

Visit the most crooked church in Britain at Cwmyoy.
Silver Circle Distillery

Type

Type:

Distillery

Address

Catbrook, Tintern, Monmouthshire, NP16 6UL

Telephone
073958 30615

hello@silvercircledistillery.com

Tintern

A brand new microdistillery in the Wye Valley
Silver Circle Distillery is a brand new craft spirits producer based in the beautiful village of Catbrook, deep in the Wye Valley Area Of Natural Beauty.
Monmouth Methodist Church

Type

Type:

Church

Address

16A St James St, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 3DL

Telephone
01600712202

ar.langford1@btinternet.com

Monmouth

Founded in 1835, Monmouth Methodist Church is one of Monmouth’s architectural “hidden gems”.