Abergavenny is known as "The Gateway of Wales", and in my opinion rightly so. The town is in the county of Monmouthshire, S. Wales meaning that although Welsh is spoken here there is not such hostility to non-Welsh speakers in local haunts as there is in N. Wales. It rests on the edge of the Brecon Beacons national park, so great for cycling and walking etc.

 

The town itself is reasonable in size, and has a good mix of chain store (New Look, Burtons, Wetherspoons) and independant stores. And it is these independant stores that make the town.

 

Some great places to check out are the "Miserible Cow" coffee shop in the small shopping courtyard near the west end of the high street, and for alcohol "The Hen and Chickens" is great. A good selection of local beers and friendly atmosphere in a rustic-chic setting. Ive been told that sometimes local poets and artist conduct impromptu performances - however I was not lucky enough to witness this on my stay in the town.

 

Near by, up the Blorange mountain in Blaenevon is the "Big Pit, National Coal Mining Museum". This is free entry and worth a visit for sure. You get the oppertunity to go down the old coal mine (again for free) and have an underground tour. A word of advice though, dont take anything with a battery into the underground tour, leave them in your car - should you have one - as they will be put into storage while you are down the mine for safety reasons. My stuff has always been quite safe there and is returned at the end. Give a few hours for this attraction, and expect school trips to be taking place - it seems to be very popular with French trips!

 

Abergavenny castle, and the castle meadow are beautiful in the right weather. Many times Ive taken my evening take-away meal down to the river in the meadow and ate it on the banks as the sun sets over the mountains. The castle houses the "Museum of Welsh Life", which isnt the great museum but worth a browse in.

 

 The market is held most days in the market hall along the main street and has many locally made items including soaps and cheeses. It also has a cheap cafe which serves good food and a cuppas.