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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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Tintern Abbey (Cadw) Group Visits

Address

Tintern Abbey (Cadw), Tintern, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6SE

Telephone
03000259238

shuna.williams@gov.wales

Chepstow

Cadw has a great deal to offer groups of all sizes.
Whitestone (NRW)

Address

Wye Valley Woodlands, NP16 6NF

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

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
St. Mary's Priory

Address

St. Mary's Priory, St Mary's Priory Centre, Monk Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5ND

Telephone
01873 858787

manager@stmarys-priory.org

Abergavenny

St Mary's Priory Church is the parish church for the town and community of Abergavenny and is one of the largest and finest parish churches in Wales.
Ancre Hill 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.
Monmouth Castle (Cadw)

Address

Monmouth, NP25 3BS

Telephone
0300 025 6000

cadw@gov.wales

Castle established by William Fitz Osbern in the late 11th century. The remains of the great hall date to the first half of the 12th century. Later remodelled by the Lancasters. Birthplace of Henry V.
Chepstow Castle (Cadw)

Address

Town Centre, 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.
Raglan Castle (Cadw)

Address

Raglan, Monmouthshire, NP15 2BT

Telephone
03000 252239

raglancastle@gov.wales

Monmouthshire

Remains of impressive fifteenth-century castle built by Sir William ap Thomas and his son William Herbert, remodelled by William Somerset, third earl of Worcester, 1549-89.
Finest late Medieval fortress in Britain. On-site exhibitions.
Sugar Loaf Vineyards

Address

Dummar Farm, Pentre Lane, Abergavenny, NP7 7LA

Telephone
01873 853066

sugarloafvineyards@gmail.com

Pentre Lane

Our wines have achieved Quality Status from the European Wine Standards Board and won awards in National Competitions. We have four varieties of white wine, our special blend of red wine and sparkling wine.
Kingstone Brewery Group Visits

Address

Kingstone Brewery, Meadow farm, Tintern, Monmouthshire, NP16 7NX

Telephone
01291 680111

info@kingstonebrewery.com

Tintern

Coaches are welcome. We offer tours, tasting and brewing experiences. Our tours range from 30 minutes to a full day and some tours include lunch.
Silver Circle 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.
Dewstow Gardens and Grottoes

Address

Caerwent, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, info@dewstowgardens.co.uk, NP26 5AH

Telephone
01291 431020

info@dewstowgardens.co.uk

Monmouthshire

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.
Grosmont Castle (Cadw)

Address

Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 8EP

Telephone
0300 025 6000

cadw@gov.wales

Monmouthshire

Substantial remains of thirteenth-century castle of Hubert de Burgh, raised on an earlier motte. It was later remodelled by the house of Lancaster.
Chepstow Castle (Cadw) Group Visits

Address

Chepstow Castle (Cadw), Town Centre, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 5EY

Telephone
03000259238

shuna.williams@gov.wales

Chepstow

Chepstow Castle has a great deal to offer groups of all sizes.
Church of St Stephen & St Tathan

Address

Church of St Stephen & St Tathan, Pound Lane, Caerwent, Caldicot, NP26 5AY

Telephone
07813 264429

sallyinglegillis@wentwood.church

Caerwent

This is perhaps one of the earliest Christian sites in the county, possibly in Wales
Silver Circle Distillery Group Visits

Address

Catbrook, Tintern, Monmouthshire, NP16 6UL

Telephone
073958 30615

hello@silvercircledistillery.com

Tintern

Silver Circle Distillery offers tours and tastings. In this combined tasting and distillery tour you will learn more about the process of making gin and the locally foraged botanicals that go into Wye Valley Gin. Coach parking available.
Shire Hall, Monmouth Group Visits

Address

Shire Hall, Monmouth, Agincourt Square, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 3DY

Telephone
01600 775257

enquiries@shirehallmonmouth.org.uk

Monmouth

Coach groups are welcome to Shire Hall. Guided tours can be arranged of the Assize Court and Holding Cells, but must be booked in advance.
Cornwall 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.
Rockfield Music Studio

Address

Rockfield Music Studio, Rockfield Leisure, Amberley Court, Rockfield Road, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 5ST

Telephone
01600 712449

lisaward@rockfieldmusicgroup.com

Amberley Court, Rockfield Road, Monmouth

Visit the famous recording studios on Rockfield Farm which have played host to many of the world’s biggest artists.
Chepstow Racecourse Group Visits

Address

Chepstow Racecourse, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, info@chepstow-racecourse.co.uk, NP16 6BE

Telephone
01291 622260

info@chepstow-racecourse.co.uk

Monmouthshire

Chepstow Racecourse offers group tours on racedays. Please book in advance.
The Untapped Brewing Co

Address

The Untapped Brewing Co, Raglan, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 2BX

Telephone
(0)7988 199 794

enquiries@untappedbrew.com

Usk

Here at Untapped Brewing we create some mighty fine Real Ales, for you to enjoy at home or in your pub of choice.