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The picturesque village in northern Monmouthshire sits in the valley along the confluence of the rivers Gavenny and Usk in southeastern Wales. The ancient Celts first lived here, developing iron smelting. The Romans constructed a fortress here and named it Gobannium. The military establishment protected the valley and roads linking to other forts and additionally kept peace among the Silure tribes. The community developed and grew under the rule and protection of the Lords of Abergavenny, but frequently saw skirmishes between those who possessed the land and those desiring to conquer it.
In 1175, the land belonged to William de Braose. In a ploy to eliminate the Welsh from the area, Braose invited the princes to his castle for a Christmas feast. The princes arrived and in a gesture of peace relinquished their weapons before entering the fortress. Once inside, Braose’s army attacked, slaughtering the Welsh royals.
The medieval walled community experienced attack in 1404 by Owain Gwyndwr and his army. The warlord gained access with the help of a local who sympathized with the cause. Upon entering Abergavenny, Gwyndwr and his men pillaged the churches and homes, and then set the town on fire. The militia left the castle intact. In 1541, the community established a grammar school, named for Henry VIII.
In 1645, Charles I came to Abergavenny to preside over the trial of Trefor Williams, accused of treason for joining the Parliamentarians. During the 1600s, Abergavenny received a corporate charter, but because the chief officers refused to swear allegiance to William III, the charter was invalid and the community’s prosperity declined. In this era, Abergavenny also became popular for manufacturing Welsh flannel and periwigs, made from goat’s hair. During World War II, Rudolf Hess, aid to Adolf Hitler, spent time here in a local hospital after fleeing Germany.
Activities and Places to Stay
In the centre of town lies the Abergavenny Castle. The Civil War laid a good portion of the castle to waste, but some towers and parts of curtain walls remain. The Marquess constructed a hunting lodge on the site in 1818, which is now the castle keep and local museum. Among other exhibits, the museum features a recreation of a Victorian Welsh kitchen, a turn of the century saddler’s shop, a World War II air raid shelter and a 1950s grocery store. The facility houses a collection of artefacts from the Mesolithic period through the Middle Ages. One of the latest exhibits at the museum includes the History of the Welsh pirates. Artefacts include Napoleon’s famous hat and Nelson’s musket. Hear the tales about the infamous Sir Henry Morgan.
St. Mary’s Priory Church was initially the site of a Benedictine monastery. The original building, constructed in the 12th century, comprises the sanctuary. Other portions of the church date through the 1700s. The building contains elaborately carved stone tombs that span the life of the church. A unique woodcarving created in the 1400s depicts Jesse, the father of King David. The statue is all that remains of an elaborate display that illustrated the lineage of Christ. Finely carved monastic choir stalls seen in the church originated in the 1300s.
The site also has a medieval tithe barn used to house the taxes collected from the community for the support of the monastery. An interactive exhibit depicts the physical history of the church from Roman times. Visitors learn about the conflicts of war and the scandals experienced by the church.
Guests may journey to the foot of Sugar Loaf Mountain and visit a local winery. Learn about the winemaking process and sample the current vintage. Facilities also contain coffee shops that serve locally made cheeses and home baked goods. Local businesses include bike-hiring facilities, allowing guests to tour the countryside while cycling. Travel into the hills and the mountains on foot or by bike. Encounter natural wildlife and the beauty of the area. Enjoy a pleasant boat trip down the canal or indulge in a bit of angling. Companies offer excursions or rent boats for extended nightly or weekly cruising.
Places to Stay and Dining
Indulge in an affordable luxury stay at one of Abergavenny’s historic coaching inns. Enjoy the antique features intermingled with modern amenities. Many facilities offer traditional afternoon tea along with delicious traditional cakes, pastries and scones.
Guests have a fine dining experience at the Bell restaurant. Lunch menus include roasted pork belly with black pudding, caramelized apple and sage mashed potatoes. Other favourites include chicken and leek pie made with organic vegetables.
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