Page 137 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

DRIVE 12: Borderlands to Beacons 135

9 Tretower Court and Castle A 19th-century hunting lodge, on the
Crickhowell, Powys; NP8 1RF site of the keep, houses Abergavenny
These two sets of buildings clearly Museum (open daily; closed Oct–May
illustrate the transition from castles Wed), with displays of local social
to houses in the borders, indicating history. However, the star attraction is
the advent of a more peaceful time. St Mary’s Priory Church. Founded in
Built by the Welsh nobleman Picard, 1087 as a Benedictine priory, it is one
c.1100, during the Norman advance of the finest churches in Wales. It has a
into Wales, this is one of the motte and huge 15th-century carved oak “Jesse”
bailey castles. In the 14th century, the sculpture – tracing Jesus’ lineage back
house became the main dwelling to Jesse – which is unique in size and
place. It is a rare intact example of a craftmanship. Also admire the fine
medieval manor house with a walled English School Renaissance alabaster
front and courtyard. Partly rebuilt in the tombs in the Herbert Chapel and the
15th century by Sir Roger Vaughan, it adjacent 14th-century Tithe Barn,
has great timber work and a garden. housing tapestry and exhibitions.
ª Continue along the road to return ª Return to A40 east, taking A4143, Above The ruined Norman tower of Tretower
to the A40 and carry on eastwards to then B4246 to Blaenavon. Park on site. Castle, near Crickhowell
Abergavenny. Park in the town centre.
q Blaenavon VISITING BLAENAVON
0 Abergavenny Gwent; NP4 9RN
Monmouthshire; NP7 5ND Set on a mountainside in a bleak and Blaenavon World Heritage Centre
Set in the Usk Valley with easy access awe-inspiring landscape, Blaenavon Church Road, NP4 9AE; 01495 742 333;
to the Brecon Beacons, Abergavenny rose to prominence at the start of www.visitblaenavon.co.uk
is superbly located. At its heart is the Industrial Revolution and is now
Abergavenny Castle, a classic motte a UNESCO World Heritage site. One EAT AND DRINK
and bailey structure from the 11th of several heritage attractions here, AROUND TRETOWER COURT
century. It saw three centuries of fierce Blaenavon Ironworks (Apr–Oct: open AND CASTLE
border fighting and was the scene daily; Nov–Mar: open Thu–Sun) was the The Bear Hotel moderate
of the infamous massacre of Welsh most advanced ironworks in the This atmospheric pub in Crickhowell, on
chieftains by the Normans in 1175. world when it was built in 1787. The the A40 outside Tretower, serves tradi-
vast infastructure includes mines, tional food such as Welsh beef burgers.
Below St Mary’s Priory Church, Abergavenny, water towers, steam-powered blast High Street, Crickhowell, NP8 1BW;
founded in the 11th century furnaces, casting houses and workers’ 01873 810 408; www.bearhotel.co.uk
cottages. The works fell into Nantyffin Cider Mill moderate
decline with the advent of This lovely old drovers’ inn, on the
large-scale steel making. A479 from Tretower to Crickhowell,
offers a high standard of cuisine using
The Big Pit: National Coal produce from local farms and estates.
Museum (open daily) is Brecon Road, NP8 1SG; 01873 810 775;
where the coal that fired www.cidermill.co.uk
the furnaces came from. In AROUND ABERGAVENNY
this fascinating industrial The Walnut Tree moderate–expensive
museum, ex-miners escort This well-known restaurant, just off the
groups around the mines, B4521 northeast of Abergavenny, is part-
90 m (300 ft) underground, operated by top chef Shaun Hill. The
and reveal the harsh lives food is well-flavoured modern British
of the men, women and and the set lunch is excellent value.
Llanddewi Skirrid, NP7 8AW; 01873
children who worked in dark 852 797; www.thewalnuttreeinn.com;
and damp conditions. closed Sun & Mon
DAY TRIP OPTIONS 4, stopping off at the church and before heading to Tretower Court
Hereford and Abergavenny make priory. Drive over Gospel Pass for a and Castle 9, and on to Llangorse
excellent bases for these trips. stroll around Hay-on-Wye 5. Lake 6 for a walk and some fishing
Follow the driving instructions, but or bird-watching. If there’s still time,
Churches, History and Books take a look around pretty Brecon 7.
Start in Hereford 1, with its grand return to Hereford on the B4352.
cathedral, and head to Kilpeck 2 for Family Activity Day Follow the driving instructions from
its church, then on to Abbey Dore Spend the morning touring the Abergavenny to Blaenavon and then
3 and the spectacular Vale of Ewyas industrial sites at Blaenavon q, follow the A40.

Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under £25; moderate, £25–£50; expensive, over £50

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