Self-catering holiday houses near Abergavenny

If you are interested in a food festival said by many to be the food equivalent of the FA Cup Final, then Abergavenny is for you. Usually held in early Autumn, it's a veritable feast of epicurean delight, taking in all aspects of food and drink. Fantastic for a big or small group to visit.

Annual food festival aside, Abergavenny is very much the natural gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park, with Sugar Loaf, Blorenge and Skirrid Fawr mountains surrounding it. Its position means it has always been an important market town, and this is reflected in the current range of retail, food, farmers, antique and craft fairs held in the town's market hall.

Abergavenny is acknowledged by many to be rich in religious heritage, a position maintained by St Mary's Priory Church, home of, amongst other artifacts, famous Jesse carving. Skirrid Fawr, the Holy Mountain, is the origin of many religious legends and the Llanthony Priory, now a ruin, has provided much motivation to religious writers and theologians over the centuries.

For big groups of walkers and explorers keen on history, the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site starts nearby the town and includes the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal.

Abergavenny large country house accommodation

Who's coming - family and friends? Self-catering rental houses look outfor Indoor heated swimming pools and hot tubs. Foodies, walkers, shoppers and culture-seekers return to Monmouthshire year after year.

Granary Cottage, sleeps 6 in Abergavenny.

Large family holiday rental in Monmouthshire near Abergavenny with 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6, Pet friendly, Cot Available, Swimming Pool.

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Foxes Reach - Hw7421, sleeps 6 in Monmouth.

Large country houses to rent in Monmouthshire near Monmouth with 4 bedrooms, sleeps 6, Pet friendly, Barbecue, Golf nearby, Baby and Toddler Friendly, Cot Available.

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Brambles - Hw7658, sleeps 6 in Monmouth.

Large holiday house to rent in Monmouthshire near Monmouth with 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6, Pet friendly, Pub within 1 mile, Cot Available.

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The Haybarn, sleeps 6 in Monmouth.

Self-catering accommodation in Monmouthshire near Monmouth with 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6, Pet friendly, Pub within 1 mile, Cot Available, All En-suite.

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King Offa Lodge - Uk10261, sleeps 8 in Monmouth.

Large rental cottage in Monmouthshire near Monmouth with 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8, Pet friendly, Barbecue, Golf nearby, Baby and Toddler Friendly, Cot Available, All En-suite.

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The Old School Penallt, sleeps 6 in Monmouth.

Outstanding large holiday house in Monmouthshire near Monmouth with 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6, Pet friendly, Barbecue, Ground Floor Facilities, Pub within 1 mile, All En-suite.

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Moving to the centre of the county, the lovely yet unusually bustling village of Raglan lies between the Wye and Usk valleys. If you are the organiser - arranging a holiday for a big group of family or friends for a holiday in Wales then foodies, walkers, fishermen, shoppers and culture-seekers will be very happy in Abergavenny.

The centre piece for the visitor is the wonderful Raglan Castle, perhaps one of the most modern of all Welsh Castles, dating back to the 15th Century and famous for being the site of one of the longest sieges seen during the English Civil War, a war that was rather unkind to its walls. June sees a wonderful rock, jazz, blues and classical music and dance festival held there each year, with a star studded gala held in the town's main hotel. The town is also well known for regularly winning Wales in Bloom awards for its fabulous floral displays.

If you are on a self-catering holiday and fancy making your own gourmet meal 'at home' there are regular farmers' markets in Abergavenny (4th Thursday each month) as well as in Brecon (second Saturday each month). They both have the freshest of produce, much of it locally grown, and being sold by the people who have produced it you will often be invited to taste before you buy. Local cooks can also be hired to cook for large groups - which is a wonderful treat for a special occasion of event.

At these farmer's markets you will find exceptional quality mountain lamb (keep a watch out for the local speciality Brecknockshire Cheviot), Welsh venison, local beef, and a variety of smoked products. You'll also find local cheeses such as Y Fenni (Welsh for 'Abergavenny') or St Illtyd, as well as cider, apple juice, mineral water and delicious ice cream.

Staying in South Wales near Abergavenny and walking Sugar Loaf, Blorenge and Skirrid Fawr.

Foodies, walkers, shoppers and culture-seekers return to Monmouthshire year after year.

There are also many cafes, pubs and restaurants close to Abergavenny and The Walnut Tree at Llandewi Skirrid is not too far away.

For those wanting to trace the steps of Marty Wilde's 1968 hit song 'Taking a Trip Up to Abergavenny', the town has been often cited as the "traditional gateway to Wales and the a Brecon Beacons National Park". It's a charming market town not only on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park but also near the wonderful Welsh Marshes. Although a compact town by all accounts, it is nevertheless a bustling commercial centre offering the visitor a staggering choice of independent shops that cry out to be browsed in.

The town, situated on a flood plain, is surrounded by some magical mountainous scenery including the Blorenge that proudly dominates the skyline and just outside the town the famous Sugar Loaf mountain. Take your friends on a walk to clear their heads after a celebration meal - a great way to end a house party weekend in Wales.