Activities
​Top Barn and Long Barn Wales provide the opportunity for our guests to enjoy a wide range of activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful countryside walk, a day of fishing, or a chance to explore local attractions, there's something for everyone.
The cottages are only metres from Offa's Dyke footpath situated in an area of 'Outstanding Natural Beauty' and there are numerous activities in the adjacent Forest of Dean including cycling, canoeing and rock climbing. In addition, we are close to other points of interest including Tintern Abbey, Symonds Yat, numerous castles including Chepstow and Raglan and only an hour’s drive away from the tallest mountain in South Wales, Pen Y Fan, located in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
We are ideally situated between Cardiff and Bristol, with easy access to both via car or train from Abergavenny or Newport.
There are several excellent golf courses within 30 minutes drive of the property including The Celtic Manor Resort, St Pierre and Rolls of Monmouth.
Walking
There are a number of national and regional walking routes in the area including Offa’s Dyke Path, The Wye Valley Walk, The Wysis Way, Highmeadow Trail, the Three Castles Walk and The Monnow Valley Walk.
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Monmouthshire Walks and Trails
Otherwise there are several footpaths on and around the Kymin which can be accessed directly from the door and which are suitable for dogs.
Beechenhurst and Cannop Ponds are both good places to start exploring the forest on foot or bike. The Sculpture Trail provides an interesting walk around the forest starting at Beechenhurst.
Cycling
Bikes can be safely kept behind the barns, and you are welcome to use the hosepipe and outside tap to clean the mud off your cycle when you return from exploring the trails in the Forest or along the river. Please ask about under cover storage which can normally be provided a short distance from the barn.
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Pedalabikeaway in the Forest of Dean where there are lots of cycle trails for all abilities.
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Launch Bikes – Beaufort Arms Court Monmouth
Beechenhurst and Cannop Ponds are both good places to start exploring the forest on foot or bike.
Outdoor Activities
We offer the option for guests to hire a hot tub from Cardiff Hot Tub Hire which can be located on the patio during their stay for that extra special addition to experiencing the view. Please ask for details prior to booking as availability may vary.
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The Forest of Dean provides a range of mainly outdoor activities including canoeing, walking, abseiling and cycling. It is approximately 15 minutes away.
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Golf
There are numerous nearby golf courses. The Celtic Manor resort and St Pierre are the most prestigious but local courses include Rolls of Monmouth, Monmouth Golf Club and Forest Hills.
Shopping
Monmouth
Monmouth has the only remaining fortified bridge in the UK. It is also the birth place of Henry V, the scene of the Monmouth Revolts and has links with Rolls of Rolls Royce fame and Lord Nelson who often visited the town. Queen also recorded Bohemian Rhapsody at Rockfield Studios just outside the town, and the location was featured in the film ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.
Monmouth is the first Wikipedia town. See also Visit Monmouthshire
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Hereford
Hereford is about 30 minutes drive and has a good shopping centre, Cathedral housing the historic Mappa Mundi, and is the home of several cider producers.
Cardiff, Bristol and Gloucester are all within an hour’s drive as is Hay-on-Wye Hay which is worth a visit with its plethora of bookshops. Abergavenny and Chepstow are about 30 minutes’ drive and can be reached by local bus.
History & Culture
The Kymin
You can walk or drive to the top of the Kymin where there is the Round House which is a National Trust property and has exceptional views. There is also the Naval Temple which was built to commemorate both the Battle of the Nile and famous Admirals.
The Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean has its own history and industrial heritage.
Speech House, Forest of Dean Heritage Centre, Clearwell Caves are all of interest.
Symonds Yat village has a range of pubs and an old hand pulled ferry.
Castles
There are a number of castles within a short distance that can be reached by car - or on foot, walking between them. Most popular to visit are Raglan and Chepstow which are looked after by CADW, and Goodrich.
Housed within Hereford Cathedral is one of the world's unique medieval treasures believed to have been made in around the year 1300 showing the history, geography and destiny of humanity as it was understood in Christian Europe in that period.
Tintern Abbey
Tintern Abbey is the beautiful Cisteran abbey dating back to 1131.
The Roundhouse at The Kymin
Raglan Castle
Nature
At both Top Barn and Long Barn, the south facing patio is ideal for a relaxing drink any time of the day, a barbeque on a warm evening, or you can wrap up in the winter and feast your eyes on the stunning star-filled night skies. The Kymin benefits from minimal light pollution, so is an ideal vantage point.
We are close to nature, and it is not unusual to see rabbits, badgers, foxes, deer and bats in the vicinity or even venturing into the garden in a quiet period for a munch on the grass or hedgerows.
There are normally animals in the field adjacent to the barns and we offer the opportunity to feed the sheep and chickens when we are able to. This has proved very popular with guests, particularly our younger guests.
Symonds Yat Rock has fantastic views of the Wye Valley and Peregrine Falcons nest in the rock face.
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Puzzlewood is an ancient woodland that you can explore. It has also featured in several films and TV productions including Star Wars, Merlin and Doctor Who.
Path on The Kymin
Stunning river .....
Family activities
Whilst at the barns, our younger guests may like to join us animal feeding or picking fruit from the trees.
There is a wide range of activities suitable for family members of all ages in the area. For the younger children you may enjoy exploring the following:
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Perrygrove Railway and Treetop Adventure
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Food & drink
The area has a reputation for good food and slow eating. The Abergavenny Food Festival is held every September.
There are also smaller food festivals in the Forest of Dean in October and Hereford in August.
Pubs
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Newland The Ostrich
Staunton The White Horse
Symonds Yat village has a range of pubs and an old ferry including The Saracens Head
Trellech The Lion and Clytha The Clytha Arms
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Other Eateries
The Pig and Apple is a bistro based on a local working farm near Penallt serving light lunches and supper.
The Red Door Deli is based at Mitchel Troy Garden Centre and does good value home cooked breakfasts and Sunday lunches.
Michelin starred The Walnut Tree
Tea and Coffee Shops
In Monmouth – the Tea room at La Piazza, Salt and Pepper, Coffi Lab (very dog friendly)
The teas at The Angel, Abergavenny have won national awards
There are an increasing number of vineyards within 10 miles of the barns. Have a look at the Vineyard Trail
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White Castle Vineyard
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Sugar Loaf Vineyard
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The Dell
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Tintern Parva
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Ancrehill Vineyard
Abergavenny Market
Local beers in one of the great pubs in the area
Award winning Afternoon Tea at The Angel, Abergavenny
Set Jetting
Several films and TV shows have been filmed in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
Puzzlewood is an ancient woodland that you can explore. It has also featured in several films and TV productions including Star Wars, Merlin and Doctor Who.
Filming Young Sherlock in Monmouth
