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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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Wyndcliffe Court House & Garden School

Type

Type:

Garden

Address

Wyndcliffe Court House & Garden School, Wyndcliffe Court, St. Arvan's, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6EY

Telephone
01291 630027

sarah@wyndcliffecourt.com

St. Arvan's, Chepstow

Anthony and Sarah Clay are thrilled to welcome garden visitors.
Wyndcliffe Court House and Garden School is held in the Edwardian Motor House recently converted into a lecture hall for informative talks and demonstrations.
St. Mary's Priory, Chepstow

Type

Type:

Church

Address

St Mary's Priory, Upper Church St, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 5HU

Telephone
01594 530080

hillnoramay@aol.com

Chepstow

St Mary's Priory has been a centre for prayer and worship for over 950 years. St Mary's Priory is open each day as a blessing to the community. Please feel free to enter and just be.
Nelson Garden

Type

Type:

Garden

Address

13 Chippenhamgate Street, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 3UZ

Telephone
01600 710630

ngpt1802@yahoo.co.uk

Monmouth

Visit this hidden Georgian garden, a favourite of Admiral Nelson's, between 12 & 3pm every Friday during the Summer.
Llanover Garden

Type

Type:

Garden

Address

Ty Uchaf, Llanover, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 9EF

Telephone
07753423635

elizabeth@llanover.com

Abergavenny

A stunning & unique 15 acre historic garden with unusual herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees, a circular walled garden, streams, cascades, rills and ponds.
The Priory Monmouth

Type

Type:

Historic House

Address

Priory Street, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 3NX

Telephone
01600 712034

office@monmouthpriory.net

Monmouth

The Priory was founded in 1070 AD by Benedictine monks, and is one of the most historic buildings in Monmouth. Completely renovated a few years ago, the Priory offers very modern facilities for a variety of gatherings.
St David's Church, Llangeview

Type

Type:

Church

Address

St David's Church, Llangeview, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1NF

Telephone
0204 520 4458

office@friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk

Usk

Ancient church in an almost circular churchyard, with a 15th century rood beam and loft, and a wealth of 18th-century woodwork
Glebe House Garden

Type

Type:

Garden

Address

Glebe House Garden, Llanvair Kilgeddin, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 9BE

Telephone
01873 840422

joanna@amknet.com

Abergavenny

Visit Glebe House garden.
Raglan Castle (Cadw)

Type

Type:

Castle

Address

Raglan Castle, Raglan, Monmouthshire, NP15 2BT

Telephone
03000 252239

raglancastle@gov.wales

Raglan

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.
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.
Sugar Loaf Vineyards

Type

Type:

Vineyard

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.
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.
Rockfield Music Studio

Type

Type:

Educational Group Visits

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.
Woodhaven

Type

Type:

Garden

Address

Woodhaven, Itton, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6BX

Telephone
01291 641219

lesley@classics.co.uk

Chepstow

A modern house built on the site of a former sawmills for the Itton Court Estate. Garden of ⅔ of an acre developed over the last 20 years for year-round colour and interest.
St. Mary's Priory

Type

Type:

Church

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.
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 Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

Address

Chepstow Museum, Bridge Street, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 5EZ

Telephone
01291 625981

annerainsbury@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Chepstow

Chepstow Museum reveals the rich and varied past of this ancient town, once an important port and market centre. It's open 11am - 4pm.
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.
St Michaels Church

Type

Type:

Church

Address

Monmouth Road, Tintern, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6SE

Telephone
01594 530080

hillnoramay@aol.com

Chepstow

Whatever your faith , we welcome you to enjoy the tranquility of our church, a place of quiet reflection, where you join the many who have passed through it's doors over 13 centuries in fellowship and peace.
Parva Farm Vineyard

Type

Type:

Vineyard

Address

Parva Farm Vineyard, Tintern, Monmouthshire, NP16 6SQ

Telephone
01291 689636

parvafarm@hotmail.com

Tintern

Leave the crowds behind & stroll amongst the vines admiring the views of Tintern & the picturesque Wye Valley. Sample our award winning Welsh wines & mead & browse in our gift shop. Plant lovers will be interested in our garden & sales area
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