Deborah Fraser, a writer, says that Wales is the best place to find delicious afternoon teas, great wine, and stunning scenery.
Today, she shares the top spots to visit.
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You don’t need to?
Monmouthshire is a special county in south-east Wales.
It’s the gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park and home to a sizeable swathe of the Wye Valley, where rolling hills, thick woodland and the meandering River Wye have made it one of the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
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Monmouthshire’s location and fertile land means it produces some of the best produce in the country, too, and with the annual Abergavenny Food Festival, a sprinkling of Michelin-starred restaurants and a fresh crop of local foodie businesses, you certainly won’t go hungry.
Enjoy the beauty of nature
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The Severn Estuary is the ultimate spot for a crash course in foraging, and Chloe, founder of Gourmet Gatherings, will lead you on a fascinating treasure hunt where you’ll nibble your way around the estuary, meadow and hedgerow.
The wild chef will have you sampling more than 30 plants, all bursting with flavour – it’s no surprise she supplies some of the best restaurants in the area.
A 90-minute guided walk costs £45, while a day’s Forage & Feast experience is £120 – and worth every penny, as you get to sit down to a 10-dish meal made using foraged ingredients.
Slow-roasted juniper, cider pulled venison wraps and porcini puff pastries are some of the options.Gourmetgatherings.co.uk).
Calon Rhaglan is also a restaurant located within the Raglan Country Estate’s 15-acre Raglan Country Estate.
Newly opened, it aims to get all its veg from within a five-mile radius, and it’s working towards zero waste.
The roasted Raglan lamb rump, £23, is incredible, as is the potato and leek strudel, £15 (Raglancountry.estate).
FYI
A host of famous musicians have recorded songs at the renowned Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, including Queen, Oasis, Simple Minds and Coldplay.
Wine & Mine
White Castle Vineyard in Llanvetherine is home to an award-winning wine.
Each year around 10,000 bottles are made, and each variety sells out quickly. Enjoy a tour with a wine tasting for £17 (Whitecastlevineyard.com).
Visit from May to October to coincide with growing season, but it’s particularly picturesque in September.
Bottles to take home start from £17, but before you get too tipsy, take in some sightseeing at the area’s landmarks.
A day exploring Raglan Castle, which dates back to 1435, is a history lesson in itself, or visit Abergavenny Museum, which hosts fun family activities and is a great spot for a picnic (Abergavennymuseum.co.uk).
The Big Pit National Coal Museum is just a short drive away. Take the 300ft journey to the mine and listen to stories from those who worked in the tunnels.Museum.wales/bigpit).
Take a bird’s-eye view
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The bustling market city of Abergavenny is surrounded by seven hills and mountain ranges, making it a great base.
Get the best views with an exhilarating hang-gliding or hot-air-ballooning session, or stay grounded with hikes, horse riding or mountain biking – you really can’t get bored (Activityuk.com).
This market is proud to be local. Abergavenny has a wide range of creative crafters as well as plenty of foodie souvenirs.
Meanwhile, the Angel Hotel, sitting right on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, is a former coaching inn with a Georgian facade and 34 guest rooms, costing from £155 per night (Angelabergavenny.com).
If you can’t nab a room, book in for a fab afternoon tea, from £40. Think hoisin duck samosas and brandy profiteroles – yum!
Plan your trip at Visitmonmouthshire.com.