Wye Valley & the Royal Forest of Dean

Coleford

Coleford is a small market town in the west of the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, two miles east of the Welsh border and close to the Wye Valley.

 

Monmouth

Monmouth is a Welsh border market town situated at the confluence of the Rivers Wye, Monnow and Trothy. With its bustling main street it makes a great destination for a day out! Perhaps best known as the birthplace of Henry V, Monmouth boasts a whole host of historical sites, people and buildings from the Nelson Garden to The Town Hall. It has a medieval 13th-century bridge over the river Monnow, unique in Britain, the only remaining fortified river bridge in Great Britain with its gate tower standing on the bridge. Such bridge towers were common across Europe from medieval times, but many were destroyed due to urban expansion, diminishing defensive requirements and the increasing demands of traffic and trade.

 

Tintern Abbey

The Cistercian abbey of Tintern is one of the greatest monastic ruins of Wales. It was only the second Cistercian foundation in Britain, and the first in Wales, and was founded on 9 May 1131 by Walter de Clare, lord of Chepstow. It soon prospered, thanks to endowments of land in Gwent and Gloucestershire, and buildings were added and updated in every century until its dissolution in 1536. However, it was never very large and important, and its history was relatively uneventful. Its position well away from the Welsh heartland meant that, it suffered little in the periodic Welsh uprisings of the medieval period.

 

Chepstow

The historic walled border town and ancient port of Chepstow commands the entrance to the Lower Wye Valley in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The name Chepstow derives from the Old English words "Chepe" and "Stowe" meaning market place. Chepstow Castle, situated on a clifftop above the Wye, was established immediately after the Norman conquest and was extended in later centuries before becoming ruined after the Civil War and is often cited as the oldest surviving stone castle in Britain.

Discover the independent, locally run specialist shops in the town centre and the range of unique products on sale.

 

Dean Forest Railway

The 4 1/2 mile line runs through beautiful woodland and countryside offering visitors a chance to experience the relaxing pace of a typical country branch line.

 

Brecon

The town of Brecon nestles in the shadow of the majestic Brecon Beacons and has stunning and beautiful scenery.  It is rich in history and there is something of interest for everyone with interesting and unusual shops selling antiques, a wide range of local arts, crafts & books. The finest Welsh produce - fresh, locally sourced and prepared is available at the many restaurants, public houses, cafes, bars and shops.  

BELLS HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB

 

The Bells Hotel combines traditional, elegant style with convenient modern facilities to ensure your stay is as relaxing and welcoming as possible. There are 53 rooms available and two wheelchair accessible rooms. Each one of the rooms is en-suite with colour television, hairdryer, telephone and tea & coffee-making facilities. Situated within the old Bells Grammar School building, the Clubhouse features Potter’s Restaurant, which is named after local playwright Dennis Potter – a former pupil of the school. Open for breakfast and evening meals, Potter’s restaurant serves spectacular cuisine, made fresh with as much local produce as possible. The dedicated, talented team of chefs know exactly how to rustle up wholesome, traditional dishes which are firm favourites with diners. There is also a range of vegetarian dishes available and any other dietary requirements can be catered for.

 

The Clubhouse is also a popular spot for entertainment.

Bells Hotel & Country Club Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Dean Forest Railway