Several of our team recently spent a couple of days exploring South Wales, visiting a few of the historic towns, discovering fascinating attractions and enjoying the lush rolling countryside. Charlotte and Daniel have written a blog about the trip.

Tredegar House in South Wales

The Wye Valley and the Usk Valley

Our first stop was the wonderful Wye Valley Sculpture Garden. Walking through the snowdrop filled garden, we were able to appreciate the breathtaking scenery of the remarkable Wye Valley. From May until September, the three-acre garden hosts a sculpture exhibition, which features the work of local and national artists.

Wye Valley Sculpture Garden

At Silver Circle Distillery in the Wye Valley, we were met with a refreshing gin and tonic from our host Nina, who led a tasting session for us. The Silver Circle Distillery is a multi-award-winning craft spirits producer, named one of the best distilleries in Wales. During our tasting we learnt about the process of distilling, while enjoying some of the distillery’s own custom cocktails, including their unique Bloody Mary. The distillery is perfect for a tour and tasting - and you can leave with a bottle of your own specially created gin!

Gin tasting at Silver Circle Distillery

White Castle Vineyard near Abergavenny is an award-winning vineyard, owned by Rob and Nicola, who are both passionate about what they do and are full of amazing stories that will keep you hooked for your entire visit. Hear how they set up their vineyard and then created some of the best wines Wales has to offer. You can enjoy a tour and a tasting, and you can even adopt your own vine!

White Castle Vineyard

Set in the Usk Valley, beneath the Black Mountains, Llanover Garden was established in the 18th century. The vast estate surrounds an elegant stately home and features a walled Round Garden, extensive herbaceous borders and a stream that flows its entire length, tumbling into ponds and beneath bridges. Visitors can admire the magnificent London Plane trees planted over 200 years ago, as well as many other unusual trees and shrubs.

Llanover Garden

In and around Newport

We then headed down the Usk Valley to the city of Newport, to discover some of its attractions. Newport is famous for its long history dating back to Roman times, so a great place to start is at the Newport Medieval Ship Centre. This is the home of a very special 15th century ship, which was found in the River Usk in 2002 and is currently being restored. The visitor centre tells the story of the entire project, from the history of the ship to its discovery and restoration and the future of the project.

Just a short drive from Cardiff, the capital of Wales, and the scenic Wye Valley, Newport is a convenient base for exploring South Wales. A new attraction, which is hoping to open later this year, is the Newport Transporter Bridge. One of less than ten transporter bridges that still operate worldwide, it was opened in 1906 to help residents get from one side of the River Usk to the other. The visitor centre will share the story of this unique bridge, while giving people the chance to take a ride on the bridge and to climb to the top of the walkway for views over Newport. 

Inside Tredegar House

On the outskirts of Newport is Tredegar House, a National Trust property that dates back to 1612, and we were pleased to enjoy a tour of the house and gardens. The history of the site dates back to medieval times and the red brick structure that stands today was built by the Morgan family. Daniel enjoyed learning about the last Morgan to live in the house, Evan Godfrey, who was known for his wild parties and exotic pets, such as a kangaroo and an alligator to name just two!

Sir Briggs in the stables at Tredegar House

The house has amazing grounds and beautiful gardens and Charlotte’s part of the tour included seeing the amazing willow sculpture of the famous horse Sir Briggs, peering out from one of the stalls in the stables. He carried his owner Godfrey Morgan in the Charge of the Light Brigade and survived. He is remembered for his bravery and a statue of Sir Briggs also stands in the heart of the garden. 

There was a lot of ‘below-stairs’ history to enjoy too, looking at the life of the servants that worked for the Morgan family. It was especially interesting to see the head housekeeper's sitting room.

The industrial Welsh Valleys

One other thing that stood out for Daniel on the whistle-stop tour of South Wales was the Guardian, a 12-metre-high (40-feet-high) statue commemorating the Six Bells Colliery Disaster in 1960, when an underground explosion led to the loss of 45 lives. To memorialise the disaster that affected so many in the town of Six Bells, the Guardian was completed on the 50th anniversary. The statue of a miner with arms held out to embrace the town's people as their protector, or guardian, is very emotional, especially as you walk closer, and the statue seems to come to life. 

The Guardian at Six Bells

Our tour guide Alyson, who met us at Six Bells, joined us in Tredegar to take us on a tour of the early industrial town. Tredegar is famous for being the birthplace and home of Welsh Labour Party politician Aneurin Bevan, most well-known for his introduction of the UK’s National Health Service. 

The Town Clock in Tredegar

Magnificent Bedwellty House, a grade II listed Regency building in Tredegar, was donated to the public in the early 1900s and is now a hub for the community. It holds the council chambers which Aneurin Bevan would once have attended. Other places of interest in the town include Tredegar Museum, the Workman's Medical Aid Heritage Centre and the Town Clock. Close by are the Trefil Quarries which have been used on film and TV sets, including Merlin and Doctor Who. 

Sleeping and eating

Our team stayed at The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny and we couldn’t recommend it highly enough. Part of the Pride of Britain portfolio, it is a beautiful hotel with a pretty and well-kept courtyard. Charlotte said that the staff were fabulous throughout the whole stay – very attentive and nothing was too much trouble. There was a lovely ambiance with lots of seating areas, modern bedrooms, really good food and a first-class breakfast.

The Angel Hotel

Set between Abergavenny and Cardiff, the Black Bear Inn is highly recommended for lunch or dinner. Named as one of the UK’s top gastropubs, it offers an à la carte menu of seasonal British food which changes weekly. A cosy country pub with a small and interesting menu, it is well worth a detour. 

Black Bear Inn

Parkway Hotel & Spa in Cwmbran offers a great location for clients not wanting, or not having the budget, to stay in Cardiff. Their new Shepherd’s Hut accommodation offers a cosy and slightly different experience from the traditional hotel stay. It is more of a glamping experience, but with the use of the hotel and its facilities, including the spa, so it’s the best of both worlds! 

If you or your group would like to enjoy a visit to South Wales on a tailor-made tour of Wales or the United Kingdom, please do contact our friendly team today!