Stay with Ty Gwyn Holidays and you’re perfectly placed to explore on two legs, two wheels, four wheels or four hooves (or even with paddles)! Whatever flicks your outdoor-loving, history-hunting or shop-surfing switches, you’ll find something nearby.
Wonderful walks and wanders
Some of our local favourite routes take in Ewyas Harold Common or Garway Hill. Both have stunning views, wild ponies and a warren of walks to explore. There are also lots of beautiful walks from the farm on public footpaths. We have lots of walking books and OS maps, just ask if you would like to borrow.
If you want to head further afield, why not head up the Skirrid, Sugar Loaf and Black Mountains. These are the biggest hills you can see as you look to the right from the garden. More hill walking includes the wonderful Pen Y Fan and the Brecon Beacons. Other famous walks include Offa’s Dyke Path and Wye River Walk – both impossible to do in a day but you can pick sections to do and come back and do more another time!
There is a wonderful canal that links Abergavenny and Brecon. Great to walk or cycle – or perhaps hire a boat for the day?
Local attractions and activities
Rowlestone Court ice cream parlour
Turn left out of the farm and it’s about a mile down the road on the right. Mary makes the most magical homemade ice cream using milk from Mark’s dairy herd. Their café has at least 16 flavours of ice cream and several sorbets. There are also play areas, and woodland walks featuring some historic lime kilns. Open Easter–September, Weds–Fri 11.00–16.00 and Saturday and Sunday 11.00– 17.00. Also open Bank Holiday Mondays. Dog friendly.
Canoeing
Herfordshire and Monmouthshire are excellent place to explore the rivers by canoe or kayak, which can be hired at various places all along the River Wye including Glasbury, Holme Lacy (Lucksall) and Symmonds Yat. Half-day and full-day trips are available. Most routes include riverbank pub for refreshments, and a trip back to the start in a van (so you don’t have to paddle upstream!).
Golden Valley Llamas
Located just a mile away is Golden Valley Llamas. You can go llama trekking for 2 to 2.5 hrs for £45pp. This is an exclusive experience starting with bringing in your allocated llama and grooming it before heading through Ewyas Harold village and up to the common. That’s not something you get to do every day!
www.oldkingstreetfarm.co.uk/llamatrekking.html
Historical sites
You could spend your whole trip visiting the area’s characterful churches!
However, if you just want to look up a few, don’t miss Dore Abbey, just 3 miles from Penylan. Built in 1147 this beautiful abbey is teeming with history and beauty. Hereford Cathedral is the grand home to the Mappa Mundi. Llanthony Priory is on the way towards Abergavenny and is a great place to explore. Local churches full of charm include St Peter’s Church, Rowlestone; Ewyas Harold; Wormbridge; and Kilpeck, with its infamous gargoyles.
There are a number of castles just a stone’s throw away (no pun intended). Our favourites include those at Longtown, Grosmont, Skenfrith, and Goodrich.
Kentchurch Court & Gardens
Three miles down the road is the beautiful Kentchurch Court & Gardens. This historic house dates back to the 14th century and has been in the Scudamore family for over a thousand years! The garden is peaceful and full of wonderful fragrance. There is also a little tea room with an honesty pot. This will sound strange, but the toilets are very grand!
Oldfield Forge Experience Days
Six miles away is Oldfield Forge Experience Days. This is a family run, traditional Blacksmith’s Forge with a variety of experience packages available.
Viking Games
If you’re up for a bit of action, then head to Kevin and his family to introduce you to the Viking Games! This involves traditional Nordic games including axe throwing, bullrings, archery, kubb, molkky and stige. Situated on the same site you will also find Battlelands Painting Balling/Laser Clays. It’s just four miles from here.
The Hill Billy Gin School
Our friends over at Black Mountains Botanicals invite you to make your very own bottle of gin. Book in advance and let them know you are staying with Ty Gwyn Holidays – hopefully they will be able to squeeze you in!
www.blackmountainsbotanicals.co.uk
Ewyas Harold Craft Centre and Café
A vibrant community hub, offering courses and a gallery for local artists. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am till 4pm. Every Friday there is the Coffee and Craft Club from 10am till 1pm.
Millikin Ceramics, Unit 3, Kingstone, HR2 9NF 07733 263008
Becky has been throwing clay for over 20 years, and you can join her in her workshop near Kingstone and make your own bespoke piece of pottery. You can even have your pieces glazed and posted to you at a later date.
Retail therapy
We are lucky to have plenty of ‘black and white’ market towns nearby (so called due to the black timbers and white render or brickwork of the buildings). Hereford, Ross-on Wye, Leomister and Ledbury all have independent shops and are great places to wander around and do a spot of shopping.
Markets take place in both Hereford and Abergavenny. Get there by car or by catching a bus from Pontrilas village. General markets are every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday in Abergavenny. The flea market is on Wednesdays and the craft fair is second Saturday of the month. The artisan farmers’ market is the fouth Thursday of the month.
In Hereford there are retail markets Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The craft market
is on Thursday and on the first Saturday of the month.
Paintings
The framed paintings in Yarlington Dairy are works of art by our lovely friend Rachel Sudworth. Her studio is located just around the corner and viewings of her other work can be made via appointments. More details are on the leaflet at the back of this pack.
Dried flowers
The beautifully collated dried flower arrangements have been commissioned by another lovely local lady called Natalie Seber. The posies can be bought and taken home (minus the container) for £25. Or you can get in touch with her via her Facebook page and choose your own colour theme and style.
Check out the Cider Shack!
The completely unique Cider Shack has been more than a year in the making.You may have seen it on the telly – it was a star of the BBC’s ‘My Unique B&B’. This cosy cabin suits couples or solo travellers who adore the outdoors and crave the quirky but love a few little luxuries (such as the famous outdoor bath!).
Discover the Dairy!
The Cider Shack has a cottage-shaped cousin: Yarlington Dairy. It’s a beautiful new holiday let with stunning views of the Monnow Valley. Quiet, comfortable and boasting a luxury bath in the bedroom, it’s perfect for couples on their own, or with a baby or toddler (and/or a dog or two)!
Come and stay or just drop by for a cider!
Penylan Farm is kinda close to everywhere but feels miles from anywhere. Cardiff and Bristol are an hour and Birmingham about 90 minutes. We’ve a licenced shop stocked full of our cider and perry plus a range other goodies from other local producers. Sit, relax and enjoy a few free tastings!