Burton House, Monmouth

Gwent. Sleeps up to 8

Monmouth Town Monmouth is a town that looks forward as well as backwards and its events programme is a particular draw - with the Monmouth Festival, one of Europe’s largest free music festivals, and the Monmouthshire Show, the largest one-day show in Wales. Within the pretty little town you will find an eclectic mix of independent shops, cafes and bars alongside some fascinating buildings - the Savoy Theatre, a Grade II listed site and the oldest Cinema in Wales, Monmouth School, founded in 1614, and Monnow Bridge which is the sole medieval fortified bridge still standing in Britain - it even played a part in the English Civil War! The River WyeHire a canoe or kayak - just two minutes’ walk away at The Monmouth Activity Centre. It is possible to canoe on the river for over a hundred miles from Hay on Wye to Tintern Abbey. The River Wye is one of the most unspoiled rivers in the UK giving shelter to a dazzling array of birds and other wildlife. Tuition available for all ages and levels. Puzzle Wood, Forest of DeanJRR Tolkien is reputed to have taken his inspiration for the fabled forests of Middle Earth from this unique and enchanting place in the beautiful and historic Forest of Dean. The TV series of Dr Who and Merlin have been filmed here and the woods were also used as a location for the filming of Star Wars - amongst many other big budget films. Explore a mile of meandering pathways, with fantastic tree and rock formations, through this truly unique fourteen acre ancient woodland. Symonds YatFamed for its natural river scenery and wooded expanses, Symonds Yat Rock is a limestone outcrop rising some five hundred feet from the banks of the River Wye as it winds its way through a deeply wooded gorge. You can cross the river by a hand-pulled rope ferry to cross between the villages of Symonds Yat East and Symonds Yat West. The limestone bluffs of Symonds Yat rock have been a traditional nesting site for the majestic Peregrine Falcon. You may see them as you wander the slopes of the rock but there is also an RSPB site with volunteers on hand to help you spot the elusive birds and their young high up on the cliffside. Raglan Castle If, as they say, an Englishman’s home is his castle, then William Herbert’s Raglan is the Welshman’s equivalent. Built for show rather than with battle in mind, it still held off parliamentarian forces for thirteen weeks in one of the last sieges of the Civil War. Even though the castle was eventually taken and systematically destroyed by parliament, enough of it still remains to impress. Tintern Abbey and the Old StationTintern Abbey’s beauty once inspired the romantic poet Wordsworth and visitors love its charm to this day. Roam the evocative ruins and learn more about their history - or enjoy a picnic in the picturesque grounds. For family fun visit The Old Station which nestles beside the River Wye at Tintern. This idyllic 10-acre site boasts the best of all that Monmouthshire has to offer There is fantastic food and an award-winning tearoom, family events and live music throughout the summer, a children's' play area and a zip wire - all making for a great base for walks along the Wye Valley!Chepstow CastleChepstow was the first of Britain's stone-built strongholds. Started during the infancy of castle building, it was improved throughout the centuries right up to the Civil War and beyond. Because of this it is one of the few castles in Britain which traces the evolution of medieval military architecture from start to finish. Sugarloaf Mountain and Sugarloaf VineyardsThe gentle, rounded heather and bracken-clad shoulders of the mountain are crisscrossed with paths which provide an exhilarating place to walk and take in the landscape’s rugged wilderness throughout the year. The mountain is a haven for upland wildlife – wildly tweeting skylarks soar into the sky, house martins and swallows flit to and fro and red grouse skulk in the heather, while Buzzards and the occasional red Kite soar overhead.· After your walk chill out at the Vineyard and enjoy fine welsh produce and sample the home grown wines. Good Food around MonmouthMonmouthshire has a well-deserved reputation for fine dining and innovative cuisine with exquisite menus at the Whitebrook Restaurant or the Walnut Tree. After an exhilarating day on the Wye or rambling in the Forest of Dean be sure to make time for real ales and divine home cooked local produce at the Ostrich, Newlands. Settle by the fire and mull over the next days' adventures! Festivals for AllThe Monmouth Festival, held over 9 days in summer, is an eclectic showcase of music. Also held in summer and now over 30 years old and here to stay - the Hay Festival is a carnival of ideas and stories. The Green Man Festival is a great mix of contemporary music and performing arts held every August. The Abergavenny Food Festival held in early autumn is a showground for Britain’s top chefs and the best produce with plenty of free samples to be had. Abergavenny MarketAbergavenny Tuesday Market is well known as one of the major markets in Wales. Visitors come from far and wide to enjoy a traditional indoor and outdoor market with over 200 stands selling a huge range of goods. There are smaller but equally good markets held on Friday and Saturday. Sample Welsh Cheese and a myriad other delicious goodies.

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