Moongate Cottage guidebook
Shopping and local history
Our local town with the UK's only remaining medieval fortified river bridge. A lovely shopping area down the length of Monnow Street with lots of independent shops. A hidden gem is the Savoy theatre in Church Street with its mix of cinema and live shows (now fully reopened post-Covid).
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Monmouth
Our local town with the UK's only remaining medieval fortified river bridge. A lovely shopping area down the length of Monnow Street with lots of independent shops. A hidden gem is the Savoy theatre in Church Street with its mix of cinema and live shows (now fully reopened post-Covid).
A local market town, Ross is best known for its ancient market house that dominates the centre of town. A lovely setting on the red sandstone cliffs above the river Wye, it is a steep climb up to the top of town. Lots of independent shops, alleyways and places to explore.
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Ross-on-Wye
A local market town, Ross is best known for its ancient market house that dominates the centre of town. A lovely setting on the red sandstone cliffs above the river Wye, it is a steep climb up to the top of town. Lots of independent shops, alleyways and places to explore.
An historic market town set at the south eastern end of the Brecon Beacons National Park, nestled between the three peaks of the Sugarloaf, Blorenge and Skirrid mountains. Becoming well known as a destination for foodies as well as outdoor enthusiasts, with its annual Food Festival in mid-September.
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Abergavenny
An historic market town set at the south eastern end of the Brecon Beacons National Park, nestled between the three peaks of the Sugarloaf, Blorenge and Skirrid mountains. Becoming well known as a destination for foodies as well as outdoor enthusiasts, with its annual Food Festival in mid-September.
Set in the rural landscape of Herefordshire, Hellens is a much-loved Tudor/Jacobean home with an incredible tapestry of stories, characters, art, furniture, grounds and gardens. Open for guided tours from April to October along with our vintage tearoom.
Also Hellens Garden Festival in June each year and lovely market for local produce on the first Saturday of each month.
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Hellens
Set in the rural landscape of Herefordshire, Hellens is a much-loved Tudor/Jacobean home with an incredible tapestry of stories, characters, art, furniture, grounds and gardens. Open for guided tours from April to October along with our vintage tearoom.
Also Hellens Garden Festival in June each year and lovely market for local produce on the first Saturday of each month.
Sightseeing
An ancient hill fort site with spectacular views over the River Wye and a great place for walks.
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Symonds Yat Rock
An ancient hill fort site with spectacular views over the River Wye and a great place for walks.
https://www.puzzlewood.net/index.php
A lovely woodland experience for children, known as the site of filming for many well known productions including Merlin, Star Wars and The Secret Garden.
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Puzzlewood
Perrygrove Roadhttps://www.puzzlewood.net/index.php
A lovely woodland experience for children, known as the site of filming for many well known productions including Merlin, Star Wars and The Secret Garden.
A Gothic masterpiece of the Middle Ages, put into ruin during the Reformation, but still very impressive in its setting on the bank of the river Wye. Approached from the Monmouth side by a drive through the picturesque Wye Valley and beyond to the castled town of Chepstow.
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Tintern Abbey / Abaty Tyndryn
A Gothic masterpiece of the Middle Ages, put into ruin during the Reformation, but still very impressive in its setting on the bank of the river Wye. Approached from the Monmouth side by a drive through the picturesque Wye Valley and beyond to the castled town of Chepstow.
Nature
https://www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk
A variety of sculptures set in the woodland trails of the Forest of Dean.
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Skulpturenpfad im Forest of Dean
Speech House Roadhttps://www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk
A variety of sculptures set in the woodland trails of the Forest of Dean.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sugarloaf-and-usk-valley/features/the-sugar-loaf
One of the highest peaks of the Black Mountains with spectacular views over the market town of Abergavenny and into South Wales and the Brecon Beacons. Other hill walks nearby include the Skirrid and Blorenge.
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Sugar Loaf
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sugarloaf-and-usk-valley/features/the-sugar-loaf
One of the highest peaks of the Black Mountains with spectacular views over the market town of Abergavenny and into South Wales and the Brecon Beacons. Other hill walks nearby include the Skirrid and Blorenge.
https://butterflyzoo.co.uk
An indoor (hot and steamy) tropical setting, teeming with exotic butterflies from around the world - great for children.
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Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo
https://butterflyzoo.co.uk
An indoor (hot and steamy) tropical setting, teeming with exotic butterflies from around the world - great for children.
A beautiful and rugged range of hills forming the easternmost part of the Brecon Beacons, multiple activities for hillwalkers, mountain bikers and horse riders.
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Black Mountains, Wales
A beautiful and rugged range of hills forming the easternmost part of the Brecon Beacons, multiple activities for hillwalkers, mountain bikers and horse riders.
Exercise
https://www.forestryengland.uk/cannop-cycle-centre
A cycle centre set on the site of an old colliery. Provides cycle hire. Ride the family trail on the old railway track or try the challenging mountain biking trails through the forest.
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Cannop Fahrradzentrum
New Roadhttps://www.forestryengland.uk/cannop-cycle-centre
A cycle centre set on the site of an old colliery. Provides cycle hire. Ride the family trail on the old railway track or try the challenging mountain biking trails through the forest.
Numerous canoe hire companies locally for a paddle down the River Wye, Canadian canoes and kayaks available, a lovely way to see the countryside at a relaxed pace.
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Symonds Yat Canoe Ltd
3 Ashes LnNumerous canoe hire companies locally for a paddle down the River Wye, Canadian canoes and kayaks available, a lovely way to see the countryside at a relaxed pace.
History
https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/raglan-castle
A wonderful medieval castle, destroyed following one of the longest sieges of the Civil War, but still very impressive with imposing views over the surrounding countryside. Recommended to all ages.
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Schloss Raglan
Castle Roadhttps://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/raglan-castle
A wonderful medieval castle, destroyed following one of the longest sieges of the Civil War, but still very impressive with imposing views over the surrounding countryside. Recommended to all ages.
A fantastic medieval castle, partially destroyed under siege in the Civil War and boasting the only surviving mortar from that time - 'Roaring Meg'.
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Burg Goodrich
Castle LaneA fantastic medieval castle, partially destroyed under siege in the Civil War and boasting the only surviving mortar from that time - 'Roaring Meg'.
https://www.herefordcathedral.org
The beautiful medieval cathedral at Hereford, containing the 14th century Mappi Mundi world map and the largest remaining example of a Chained Library in existence.
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Hereford Kathedrale
Cathedral Closehttps://www.herefordcathedral.org
The beautiful medieval cathedral at Hereford, containing the 14th century Mappi Mundi world map and the largest remaining example of a Chained Library in existence.
https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caerleon-roman-fortress-and-baths
Visit Carleon, site of the Roman Legionary fortress Isca. Here you can wander around the ancient amphitheatre remains or visit the well preserved fortress baths and swimming pool.
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Caerleon
https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caerleon-roman-fortress-and-baths
Visit Carleon, site of the Roman Legionary fortress Isca. Here you can wander around the ancient amphitheatre remains or visit the well preserved fortress baths and swimming pool.
https://deanforestrailway.co.uk - Founded by the Dean Forest Railway Society in 1970, the Dean Forest Railway runs along part of the old Severn & Wye Railway lines, which were first built as a tramroad over 200 years ago.
The current railway line is approximately 4 1/2 miles long, running from Lydney Junction Station (close to the mainline railway station and a short walk from the harbour) at the south end of the line to Parkend (a small forest village) at the north end of the line. The main station of the railway is located at Norchard, on Forest Road, in the middle of the line, where you will find a large, free car park and our shop, museum and café.
We run our steam train services on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from mid-March to early November, plus our Santa Specials in the run up to Christmas and our Mince Pie Specials after Christmas up to New Year’s Day. We also run lots of evening specials, including our Evening Fish & Chip Suppers, Dining Trains, Murder Mysteries and Gin Trains.
We pride ourselves on offering a friendly service, and giving you a relaxing journey through the beautiful, scenic forest.
Dean Forest Railway Parkend Station
New Roadhttps://deanforestrailway.co.uk - Founded by the Dean Forest Railway Society in 1970, the Dean Forest Railway runs along part of the old Severn & Wye Railway lines, which were first built as a tramroad over 200 years ago.
The current railway line is approximately 4 1/2 miles long, running from Lydney Junction Station (close to the mainline railway station and a short walk from the harbour) at the south end of the line to Parkend (a small forest village) at the north end of the line. The main station of the railway is located at Norchard, on Forest Road, in the middle of the line, where you will find a large, free car park and our shop, museum and café.
We run our steam train services on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from mid-March to early November, plus our Santa Specials in the run up to Christmas and our Mince Pie Specials after Christmas up to New Year’s Day. We also run lots of evening specials, including our Evening Fish & Chip Suppers, Dining Trains, Murder Mysteries and Gin Trains.
We pride ourselves on offering a friendly service, and giving you a relaxing journey through the beautiful, scenic forest.
Family fun
http://www.mazes.co.uk
Set next to the Butterfly Centre near Symond's Yat, this is a lovely place to visit for all ages. Lots of fiendish puzzles in the visitor shop too.
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The aMazing Hedge Puzzle
http://www.mazes.co.uk
Set next to the Butterfly Centre near Symond's Yat, this is a lovely place to visit for all ages. Lots of fiendish puzzles in the visitor shop too.
https://museum.wales/bigpit/
An exciting day out, especially for children, to visit a former working coal mine. Opportunities to don your hard hat and head torch and take a trip underground 300 feet with a former miner and learn about the hard life of work at the coal face. Lots to see and do above and below ground, including a meal at the pithead cafe.
Visits are free but check opening times.
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Big Pit Mining Museum
Forge Sidehttps://museum.wales/bigpit/
An exciting day out, especially for children, to visit a former working coal mine. Opportunities to don your hard hat and head torch and take a trip underground 300 feet with a former miner and learn about the hard life of work at the coal face. Lots to see and do above and below ground, including a meal at the pithead cafe.
Visits are free but check opening times.
https://deanforestrailway.co.uk - Founded by the Dean Forest Railway Society in 1970, the Dean Forest Railway runs along part of the old Severn & Wye Railway lines, which were first built as a tramroad over 200 years ago.
The current railway line is approximately 4 1/2 miles long, running from Lydney Junction Station (close to the mainline railway station and a short walk from the harbour) at the south end of the line to Parkend (a small forest village) at the north end of the line. The main station of the railway is located at Norchard, on Forest Road, in the middle of the line, where you will find a large, free car park and our shop, museum and café.
We run our steam train services on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from mid-March to early November, plus our Santa Specials in the run up to Christmas and our Mince Pie Specials after Christmas up to New Year’s Day. We also run lots of evening specials, including our Evening Fish & Chip Suppers, Dining Trains, Murder Mysteries and Gin Trains.
We pride ourselves on offering a friendly service, and giving you a relaxing journey through the beautiful, scenic forest.
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Dean Forest Eisenbahn
https://deanforestrailway.co.uk - Founded by the Dean Forest Railway Society in 1970, the Dean Forest Railway runs along part of the old Severn & Wye Railway lines, which were first built as a tramroad over 200 years ago.
The current railway line is approximately 4 1/2 miles long, running from Lydney Junction Station (close to the mainline railway station and a short walk from the harbour) at the south end of the line to Parkend (a small forest village) at the north end of the line. The main station of the railway is located at Norchard, on Forest Road, in the middle of the line, where you will find a large, free car park and our shop, museum and café.
We run our steam train services on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from mid-March to early November, plus our Santa Specials in the run up to Christmas and our Mince Pie Specials after Christmas up to New Year’s Day. We also run lots of evening specials, including our Evening Fish & Chip Suppers, Dining Trains, Murder Mysteries and Gin Trains.
We pride ourselves on offering a friendly service, and giving you a relaxing journey through the beautiful, scenic forest.
Food scene
The Garway Moon Inn
Decent local pub with great views and food.
Our nearest pub in the next village - Llangrove, serves food. A nice walk down market path from Welsh Newton Common to Llangrove, but a steep climb back again!
The Royal Arms
Our nearest pub in the next village - Llangrove, serves food. A nice walk down market path from Welsh Newton Common to Llangrove, but a steep climb back again!
https://www.thestonemill.co.uk - Highly recommended local restaurant, well established. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
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Stonemill Restaurant
B4233https://www.thestonemill.co.uk - Highly recommended local restaurant, well established. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
https://no3rossonwye.com - local restaurant in Ross on Wye, recommended. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Ross on Wye
Ross on Wyehttps://no3rossonwye.com - local restaurant in Ross on Wye, recommended. Closed Sunday and Monday.
https://kilpeckinn.com - Excellent local reputation for good food. Historic Romanesque church nearby is well with a visit too, amazing carvings.
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The Kilpeck Inn
Castle Parkhttps://kilpeckinn.com - Excellent local reputation for good food. Historic Romanesque church nearby is well with a visit too, amazing carvings.
https://thehostelrieatgoodrich.co.uk - Great local reputation for food, lovely setting.
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The Hostelrie at Goodrich
https://thehostelrieatgoodrich.co.uk - Great local reputation for food, lovely setting.
https://www.lapiccolamonmouth.co.uk - excellent local Italian restaurant in the centre of Monmouth, definitely recommended.
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La Piccola Italia
9 Oxford Sthttps://www.lapiccolamonmouth.co.uk - excellent local Italian restaurant in the centre of Monmouth, definitely recommended.
https://thelounges.co.uk/estero/ - easygoing cafe in the heart of Monmouth, opposite Waitrose. Caters to many food tastes, no booking necessary.
Castello Lounge
95-97 Monnow Streethttps://thelounges.co.uk/estero/ - easygoing cafe in the heart of Monmouth, opposite Waitrose. Caters to many food tastes, no booking necessary.
The Wild Hare restaurant - a lovely pub to eat at following a visit to Tintern Abbey or return from Chepstow Castle. Good food, wide variety including vegetarian/vegan.
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The Royal George Tintern
The Wild Hare restaurant - a lovely pub to eat at following a visit to Tintern Abbey or return from Chepstow Castle. Good food, wide variety including vegetarian/vegan.