The Otter Apartment Usk Monmouthshire, Monmouthshire

Monmouthshire. Sleeps up to 4

A fantastic apartment in the centre of the historical town of Usk.
Very spacious, retaining beautiful original features.
Exposed stone walls and beamed ceilings.
Recently completely refurbished throughout.
Two double bedrooms with flexible bed choices depending on your guest dynamic, from king to twin to 2 kings to 2 twins.
The choice is yours.
A newly fitted fully equipped kitchen and good size lounge with full dining table.
Winding, wide,original wooden staircase surrounded by stone walls.

The apartment is situated in the main high street in the centre of Usk, surrounded by some fantastic restaurants and shops and also centrally located for some of the most amazing walks or bike rides Wales has to offer.
The building the apartment sits in dates back hundreds of years and is directly opposite the second prison of Usk (Usk Gaol - Bridewell House - which dates back as far as 15th Century)
It is believed the building in which the apartment now stands is if the same period though little is known of its use.
Some say it was used as a place to rest and maybe a house of ill repute.
Many believe the property was once used as a hideout for notorious highwaymen.
They believe they would ‘strike’ when the wealthy rode over the bridge to the left of the apartment.
In the present day, it is used only for people to visit Usk and take in all the glories the beautiful town has to offer.

Over 3 floors, the apartment has a surprisingly large hallway, an original wooden stairs with exposed stone walls surrounding, this leads to the first floor where we have a spacious lounge/dining room and good size kitchen.
The wonderfully characterful door frames and low head height mean you need to ‘mind your head’ when entering.
Another stairs takes us to the next floor with 2 double bedrooms and a good size bathroom.
Oak beams above and original beam work in the walls have take a resemblance of the Tudor period.

Guests have access to the entire space.

We are available as and when you need us

SOURCE : WIKIPEDIA

Usk (Welsh: Brynbuga) is a town and community in Monmouthshire, Wales, 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Newport. It is located on the River Usk, which is spanned by an arched stone bridge at the western entrance to the town. Usk Castle, above the town, overlooks the ancient crossing point. It developed as a small market town, with some industry including the making of Japanware, and with a notable prison built in 1841/2. In recent years Usk has become known for its history of success in Britain in Bloom competitions, winning the Large Village award in 2005.

The Roman legionary fortress of Burrium was founded on the River Usk by the military commander Aulus Didius Gallus, around AD 55. He moved his XX Valeria Victrix legion into the area from its earlier base at Glevum (Gloucester).[6] It was the earliest legionary fortress in Wales and although the site was constricted by hills, subject to flooding, and not on a navigable river, it did offer good communications inland up the river. The fortress at Usk was surrounded by ramparts and covered a large area. However, by around AD 75 its disadvantages had become apparent and the Romans relocated their permanent military base further south to Caerleon, leaving only a small auxiliary fort and civilian settlement at Usk.

The Roman remains are buried on the southern side of Usk.Many of the Roman finds from Usk are now housed in the National Roman Legion Museum in Caerleon.

Norman times

After the fortress was abandoned, it continued to be occupied as a civilian settlement, with evidence of iron working. The Normans also realised Usk's geographical and military importance within the region, and the powerful de Clare family built Usk Castle as part of their plans for controlling the area's resources and people. The castle, now hidden from view by surrounding trees planted in the early 20th century, is one of the few castles still privately owned and occupied.

The town was laid out in rectangular building plots, centred on the market square. Markets were originally held in Twyn Square, twyn being a Welsh word for "hillock".

Charters

The town was incorporated by charters granted by Edmund Mortimer, Edward II, Edward IV, and succeeding monarchs.[Its location meant that it was inevitably frequently caught up in the border disputes between the English and the Welsh in this section of the Welsh Marches.

The Welsh Revolt

Usk was the birthplace of Adam of Usk. His chronicle records the 'Welsh Revolt' in 1403, when Owain Glyndŵr burned Usk to the ground while gaining control of much of South Wales from the English under King Henry IV and his son, later to become King Henry V. The important Battle of Pwll Melyn in 1405 occurred immediately north of Usk Castle, when English forces routed their Welsh opponents, causing much loss of life, including that of Owain's brother Tudur. After their defeat, three hundred Welsh prisoners were executed in front of the castle.[10] In 2005 the 600th anniversary of the battle of Pwll Melyn was commemorated by a son-et-lumiere show at the castle.

The town appears as "Uck" and "Branbuga" on the Cambriae Typus map of 1573.

The first stone bridge at Usk, replacing one of wood, was built to the designs of Welsh architect William Edwards. Unlike the bridge downstream at Caerleon, it withstood the great floods of 1795. The bridge was strengthened and widened in 1836, but two of its arches were destroyed by floods in 1877 and later replaced.

From the late 18th century, Usk became well known for the high quality of its japanware,[6] a process of decorating metals by applying a lacquer to tinplate. The process, known as Pontypool japan, was first developed in the west by Thomas Allgood of nearby Pontypool and was taken on in Usk in 1763 by his grandsons Thomas and Edward Allgood. Products from Usk included tin trays, jardinières, and coal boxes. However output declined with changing fashions in the 19th century, and the last Usk japanware was produced in 1860 on the site of what is now Bunning's builders' merchants.

Usk was a thriving market town in the first part of the 19th century, when many of its existing buildings were constructed, and into the Victorian era, although its population fell in the second half of the century as a result of agricultural depression.

It is important to note that property is in the very centre of Usk and so some road noise will be apparent.

This apartment is located in Usk. Clytha Park and Shell Grotto are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Bowlplex Cwmbran and David Broome Event Centre. Chepstow Racecourse and Dewstow Gardens & Hidden Grottoes are also worth visiting.

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