ABERGAVENNY makes for the perfect mix of
culture, history and hillwalking. While Wales’ book
capital Hay-on-Wye might boast more culture and
at first seem just as close to the Black Mountains,
Abergavenny is actually better situated to access
the mountains via road.
The town itself has an old-world feel: markets
three days a week; medieval castle and town
walls; several small museums; and a wide range
of quaint, independent cafés and shops. If it’s
nightlife you are after, you will have to settle for
a small bar or pub. Perhaps the highlight of its
calendar is the star-studded Abergavenny Food
Festival, which this year takes place over the
weekend of 21-22 September.
Two of the only retail chains with outlets in the
town are Mountain Warehouse and Trespass,
which says a lot about Abergavenny’s walking
calibre. And from its centre one can walk to any
of the three overlooking hills: Blorenge (561m),
Ysgyryd Fawr (486m) or Sugar Loaf (596m).
The real fun involves several mountains in the
eastern part of the Brecon Beacons National
Park, north of Abergavenny. Waun Fach (811m)
is the highest and northernmost, and it’s only a
40-minute drive away. Near Waun Fach you will
also find the UK’s southernmost bothy, Grwyne
Fawr, close to the reservoir of the same name.WALK
HERE- SUGAR LOAF
A relatively quick summit can be
achieved here from Llanwenarth
car park. However, a tougher,
more rewarding (and car-free)
route is a 9-mile circuit from
Abergavenny. It leads you through
historic woodland before the
gentle incline of the hill. - WAUN FACH
Take in the highest of the Black
Mountains plus the Grwyne Fawr
reservoir and bothy, with a
9.2-mile circuit from the (free)
Mynydd Du car park involving
one of the steadiest 800m climbs
you’ll ever find. The reservoir’s
incredible dam more than satiates
the appetite for spectacle.
Photo: ShutterstockABERGAVENNY
SAM LEWIS RECOMMENDS A VISIT TO THIS HISTORIC TOWN
AT THE SOUTH-EAST OF THE BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL
PARK, WITH EASY ACCESS TO GREAT WALKSWALKERS'
GUIDEWHERE TO STAY Budget: The
Great Western Both B&B and hostel, it
has worked this way since 1850. Stands
opposite train station, a 15-minute walk
from town centre. £16 per night. Breakfast,
packed lunch and evening meals can all be
added. greatwesternabergavenny.com
Mid-range: Plas Derwen Sleepy country
inn with great pub food and drink. Head
back in time for an evening meal in their
beautiful garden. tinyurl.com/plasderwen
Splurge: Angel Hotel Former Georgian
coaching inn offering rooms and cottages,
plus a plethora of indulgent foods: afternoon
tea, an exhaustive breakfast menu and the
eclectic drinks list at the stylish evening bar.
http://www.angelabergavenny.com
WHERE TO EAT Pizzorante Pizzeria
and restaurant in the centre with local
ingredients and homemade dishes.
The prices are more reasonable than some
of the fancier hotels around, and they offer
every Italian dessert you can imagine.
pizzorante.co.uk
WHERE TO DRINK The Foxhunter
Bar The Angel Hotel undoubtedly has the
finest watering hole in Abergavenny.
With no expense spared on the classic
decor, they also offer a wide variety of
craft ales, cocktails and wines.
http://www.angelabergavenny.com
TRAVEL Abergavenny can be reached
via train from Cardiff in under 40 minutes
with no changes, or from London (just over
two hours) or Bristol (one hour) with one
change. These times are as fast as or faster
than travelling by car.
DID YOU KNOW? Abergavenny is
a pre-Roman settlement, meaning ‘river
of the blacksmiths’ in Old Brythonic.
Archaeological digs have found the
foundations of Roman barracks, granary
and fort, as well as armour and debris.12 The Great Outdoors July 2019ALMANAC