Emma’s guidebook

Emma
Emma’s guidebook

Sightseeing

Llandegfedd Lake is just a few miles away from the Studio and can be seen from the bedroom window, it spans the beautiful, rolling landscaped countryside of Monmouthshire and Torfaen. This stunning visitor attraction is owned and cared for by Welsh Water for your enjoyment. With over 400 acres of water, woodlands & grasslands to explore, you can experience every type of benefit that being close to water has to offer. Get closer to nature by exploring one of our footpaths and way-marked walks, ideal for kids to play in, climb through and explore. Choose your own path from a gentle stroll through the fields to a brisk 6 mile hike around the lake and surrounding area. This year we have opened up new pathways making them more accessible, enjoyable and picturesque. We are designated a Site of Special Scientific (SSSI) for our importance to over-wintering wildfowl. To protect wintering birds the Lakeside Trail and Up North and Back Trail are closed annually from 1st October to 1st March. The waterside restaurant, with unrivalled panoramic views of the lake, offers a variety of freshly prepared food including hearty breakfasts, daily specials and popular favourites.
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Llandegfedd Reservoir
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Llandegfedd Lake is just a few miles away from the Studio and can be seen from the bedroom window, it spans the beautiful, rolling landscaped countryside of Monmouthshire and Torfaen. This stunning visitor attraction is owned and cared for by Welsh Water for your enjoyment. With over 400 acres of water, woodlands & grasslands to explore, you can experience every type of benefit that being close to water has to offer. Get closer to nature by exploring one of our footpaths and way-marked walks, ideal for kids to play in, climb through and explore. Choose your own path from a gentle stroll through the fields to a brisk 6 mile hike around the lake and surrounding area. This year we have opened up new pathways making them more accessible, enjoyable and picturesque. We are designated a Site of Special Scientific (SSSI) for our importance to over-wintering wildfowl. To protect wintering birds the Lakeside Trail and Up North and Back Trail are closed annually from 1st October to 1st March. The waterside restaurant, with unrivalled panoramic views of the lake, offers a variety of freshly prepared food including hearty breakfasts, daily specials and popular favourites.
Big Pit National Coal Museum is an industrial heritage museum in Blaenavon, Torfaen, Wales. A working coal mine from 1880 to 1980, it was opened to the public in 1983 under the auspices of the National Museum of Wales.
Big Pit Station
Big Pit National Coal Museum is an industrial heritage museum in Blaenavon, Torfaen, Wales. A working coal mine from 1880 to 1980, it was opened to the public in 1983 under the auspices of the National Museum of Wales.
‘Tower of Strength on a Hill of Dreams’ The Folly Tower holds a special place of affection in the hearts of all native Pontypudlians. The tower was built c.1765 by John Hanbury Esq. of Park House, Pontypool. It served no practical purpose in that it had no floor or roof originally. It is said that it was fashionable at the time for landed gentlemen to build to 1,000 ft high, and the tower was built on the highest part of the ridge in order to achieve this. It was however 2ft short when completed! It commands views of both the rugged and beautiful parts of Gwent and it is said that no fewer than seven counties are visible from the tower on a clear day.
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Folly Tower
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‘Tower of Strength on a Hill of Dreams’ The Folly Tower holds a special place of affection in the hearts of all native Pontypudlians. The tower was built c.1765 by John Hanbury Esq. of Park House, Pontypool. It served no practical purpose in that it had no floor or roof originally. It is said that it was fashionable at the time for landed gentlemen to build to 1,000 ft high, and the tower was built on the highest part of the ridge in order to achieve this. It was however 2ft short when completed! It commands views of both the rugged and beautiful parts of Gwent and it is said that no fewer than seven counties are visible from the tower on a clear day.
Walking distance from our Airbnb - Blaen Bran Reservoir was built in 1884 as a direct result of Disraeli's Public Health Act of 1875 and the population explosion in the area following the opening of the Main Adit of Cwmbran Colliery in 1879 and the expansion of steel and tin plate works in Cwmbran. A second, smaller reservoir was built above it in 1930, with a pumping station and filter beds, known locally as "The Water House" (especially when asking for a bus ticket for the Upper Cwmbran terminus) on the site of the former brickworks which closed in 1916. Welsh Water still maintain equipment here despite the associated reservoir being defunct since the opening in 1965 of Llandegvedd Reservoir.
Blaen Bran Reservoir
Walking distance from our Airbnb - Blaen Bran Reservoir was built in 1884 as a direct result of Disraeli's Public Health Act of 1875 and the population explosion in the area following the opening of the Main Adit of Cwmbran Colliery in 1879 and the expansion of steel and tin plate works in Cwmbran. A second, smaller reservoir was built above it in 1930, with a pumping station and filter beds, known locally as "The Water House" (especially when asking for a bus ticket for the Upper Cwmbran terminus) on the site of the former brickworks which closed in 1916. Welsh Water still maintain equipment here despite the associated reservoir being defunct since the opening in 1965 of Llandegvedd Reservoir.
You can walk to this pond from our Airbnb. Beautiful scenic walk, great for the dogs to have a swim too…. Or you!
Cwm Lickey Pond
You can walk to this pond from our Airbnb. Beautiful scenic walk, great for the dogs to have a swim too…. Or you!
Morris's of Usk
FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT FROM NATURAL RESOURCES WALES AND CAERPHILLY COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL, CWMCARN FOREST DRIVE HAS WELCOMED VISITORS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER SIX YEARS. Just a 10-minute drive from Junction 28 of the M4, you can head for the hills and experience a drive around the spectacular Cwmcarn Forest. Meander around the twisting bends and allow the enchanting forest to immerse you into tranquility where you can truly leave the rest of the world behind. Park up at one of our seven car parks to absorb the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside or settle at one of the many picnic and BBQ spots to relax and take it easy. Let the children burn off some energy in not one, but THREE new adventure playgrounds, sensory tunnels, woodland sculpture trail or follow the several all-ability trails along the route. Having closed in 2015 to allow for the felling of 150,000 trees affected by the disease Phytophthora Ramorum, we are thrilled to once again welcome visitors back to our popular outdoor attraction.
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Cwmcarn Wald
Cwmcarn Forest Drive
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FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT FROM NATURAL RESOURCES WALES AND CAERPHILLY COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL, CWMCARN FOREST DRIVE HAS WELCOMED VISITORS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER SIX YEARS. Just a 10-minute drive from Junction 28 of the M4, you can head for the hills and experience a drive around the spectacular Cwmcarn Forest. Meander around the twisting bends and allow the enchanting forest to immerse you into tranquility where you can truly leave the rest of the world behind. Park up at one of our seven car parks to absorb the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside or settle at one of the many picnic and BBQ spots to relax and take it easy. Let the children burn off some energy in not one, but THREE new adventure playgrounds, sensory tunnels, woodland sculpture trail or follow the several all-ability trails along the route. Having closed in 2015 to allow for the felling of 150,000 trees affected by the disease Phytophthora Ramorum, we are thrilled to once again welcome visitors back to our popular outdoor attraction.
Life was hard for a Roman legionary in first-century Wales. When he wasn’t cooped up in his barracks or being barked at by a centurion he was out risking his life in skirmishes with ancient Britons. But here in Isca, one of just three permanent legionary fortresses in Britain, there were compensations. He could always hang out with his friends at the fortress baths – or take a stroll to the amphitheatre to watch the gladiators. Inside a modern covered building in today’s Caerleon you can still explore the remains of the immense natatio, or open-air swimming pool, that once held more than 80,000 gallons of water. Thanks to the wonders of film projection you’ll glimpse a Roman soldier still diving the depths today. You can also see the cramped rooms where the men slept and stored their weapons – the only Roman legionary barracks still on view in Europe. And you can walk through the great north entrance into the most complete Roman amphitheatre in Britain and imagine the din of 6,000 people baying for blood.
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Römische Festungsbäder von Caerleon
High Street
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Life was hard for a Roman legionary in first-century Wales. When he wasn’t cooped up in his barracks or being barked at by a centurion he was out risking his life in skirmishes with ancient Britons. But here in Isca, one of just three permanent legionary fortresses in Britain, there were compensations. He could always hang out with his friends at the fortress baths – or take a stroll to the amphitheatre to watch the gladiators. Inside a modern covered building in today’s Caerleon you can still explore the remains of the immense natatio, or open-air swimming pool, that once held more than 80,000 gallons of water. Thanks to the wonders of film projection you’ll glimpse a Roman soldier still diving the depths today. You can also see the cramped rooms where the men slept and stored their weapons – the only Roman legionary barracks still on view in Europe. And you can walk through the great north entrance into the most complete Roman amphitheatre in Britain and imagine the din of 6,000 people baying for blood.
Welsh fortress-palace transformed into regal residence The unmistakable silhouette of Raglan crowning a ridge amid glorious countryside is the grandest castle ever built by Welshmen. We can thank Sir William ap Thomas, the ‘blue knight of Gwent’, for the moated Great Tower of 1435 that still dominates this mighty fortress-palace. His son Sir William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, created the gatehouse with its flared ‘machicolations’. These stone arches allowed missiles to be rained down on attackers. But Raglan came 150 years later than the turbulent heyday of castle-building. It was designed to impress as much as to intimidate. Under various earls of Worcester Raglan was transformed into a magnificent country seat with a fashionable long gallery and one of the finest Renaissance gardens in Britain. But loyalty to the crown was to prove its undoing. Despite a garrison of 800 men and one of the longest sieges of the Civil War, it fell to parliamentary forces and was deliberately destroyed. Among the looted treasures was a piece of Tudor wooden panelling, now proudly displayed in the visitor centre after being rescued from a cow shed in the 1950s.
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Schloss Raglan
Castle Road
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Welsh fortress-palace transformed into regal residence The unmistakable silhouette of Raglan crowning a ridge amid glorious countryside is the grandest castle ever built by Welshmen. We can thank Sir William ap Thomas, the ‘blue knight of Gwent’, for the moated Great Tower of 1435 that still dominates this mighty fortress-palace. His son Sir William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, created the gatehouse with its flared ‘machicolations’. These stone arches allowed missiles to be rained down on attackers. But Raglan came 150 years later than the turbulent heyday of castle-building. It was designed to impress as much as to intimidate. Under various earls of Worcester Raglan was transformed into a magnificent country seat with a fashionable long gallery and one of the finest Renaissance gardens in Britain. But loyalty to the crown was to prove its undoing. Despite a garrison of 800 men and one of the longest sieges of the Civil War, it fell to parliamentary forces and was deliberately destroyed. Among the looted treasures was a piece of Tudor wooden panelling, now proudly displayed in the visitor centre after being rescued from a cow shed in the 1950s.
Unlike most castles, Usk Castle has been a private family home since 1908. Before this, it has been a farmhouse, a dame school, home to a fern collector and now is open to the public to share it’s beautiful, historic setting. The Inner Ward of the castle is a large grassy area which has played host to many marquee receptions, picnics, plays, concerts and pageants. The Castle House itself is a family home and is not open to the public except in May each year (see opening times). The gardens immediately around the house and tithe barn are private, but open once a year as part of the National Open Gardens scheme.
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Castle House, Usk
Monmouth Road
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Unlike most castles, Usk Castle has been a private family home since 1908. Before this, it has been a farmhouse, a dame school, home to a fern collector and now is open to the public to share it’s beautiful, historic setting. The Inner Ward of the castle is a large grassy area which has played host to many marquee receptions, picnics, plays, concerts and pageants. The Castle House itself is a family home and is not open to the public except in May each year (see opening times). The gardens immediately around the house and tithe barn are private, but open once a year as part of the National Open Gardens scheme.

Food scene

The Queen Inn is a traditional pub located in Upper Cwmbran, South Wales, and is well known for their top quality food around the local area. The owners of 17+ years wholeheartedly support the future of veganism, two of the three owners being vegan. For January 2022, their menu will be 100% vegan and will feature pub classics like cottage pie and lasagne. Beyond Veganuary, The Queen will then aim to have 50% of the menu as plant based. Located at the bottom of Blaen Bran woodland, they’re in an amazing location for mountain walks. They love dogs and even offer vegan sausages and vegan dog’s ice cream on the menu!
The Queen Inn
Upper Cwmbran Road
The Queen Inn is a traditional pub located in Upper Cwmbran, South Wales, and is well known for their top quality food around the local area. The owners of 17+ years wholeheartedly support the future of veganism, two of the three owners being vegan. For January 2022, their menu will be 100% vegan and will feature pub classics like cottage pie and lasagne. Beyond Veganuary, The Queen will then aim to have 50% of the menu as plant based. Located at the bottom of Blaen Bran woodland, they’re in an amazing location for mountain walks. They love dogs and even offer vegan sausages and vegan dog’s ice cream on the menu!
Sugarloaf Vineyard’s 5 acres of vines sit in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park, a stone’s throw away from Wales’s foodie capital Abergavenny.
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Sugarloaf Vineyards
Pentre Lane
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Sugarloaf Vineyard’s 5 acres of vines sit in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park, a stone’s throw away from Wales’s foodie capital Abergavenny.
A Microbar & Kitchen located in the idyllic town of Usk, South Wales run by award winning mixologist Christos Kyriakidis. Specializing in delicious charcuterie, cheese & seafood platters as well as tasty cocktails, over 100 gins, local ciders & ale
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The Mad Platter
7 Bridge St
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A Microbar & Kitchen located in the idyllic town of Usk, South Wales run by award winning mixologist Christos Kyriakidis. Specializing in delicious charcuterie, cheese & seafood platters as well as tasty cocktails, over 100 gins, local ciders & ale
Great food, live music, themed evenings.
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The Bush Inn
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Great food, live music, themed evenings.
The MUDDY TOAD | Bar & Restaurant Welcome to The MUDDY TOAD, we look forward to taking you on a culinary journey with a menu carefully crafted by Chef Tom Lodge inspired by seasonal and local produce. Introducing you to delicious wines, unique cocktails and a wholesome atmosphere with our fantastic front-of-house team. 'SIMPLIFYING PERFECTION'
The MUDDY TOAD
The MUDDY TOAD | Bar & Restaurant Welcome to The MUDDY TOAD, we look forward to taking you on a culinary journey with a menu carefully crafted by Chef Tom Lodge inspired by seasonal and local produce. Introducing you to delicious wines, unique cocktails and a wholesome atmosphere with our fantastic front-of-house team. 'SIMPLIFYING PERFECTION'
According to the visitors' comments, Italian dishes here are quite good and the menu is well-organized. That's a good idea to order nicely cooked chicken, lasagna and calamari. At this restaurant, guests may order good wine. The cosy atmosphere of Amici D’Italia Pontypool makes customers feel relaxed and have a nice time. The well-trained staff works hard, stays positive and makes this place wonderful. Professional service is something that people note in their reviews.
Amici D’Italia Pontypool
According to the visitors' comments, Italian dishes here are quite good and the menu is well-organized. That's a good idea to order nicely cooked chicken, lasagna and calamari. At this restaurant, guests may order good wine. The cosy atmosphere of Amici D’Italia Pontypool makes customers feel relaxed and have a nice time. The well-trained staff works hard, stays positive and makes this place wonderful. Professional service is something that people note in their reviews.
"Traditional Inn with welcoming hospitality, lovely accommodation, traditional bar serving a wide range of beers, spirits and ciders. Famous for our friendly welcome. We offer great quality home cooked food in out restaurant with generous portions. We source Locally grown and produced fresh foods that we serve in our Restaurant until 9pm"
Little Crown Inn Wainfelin
Elled Road
"Traditional Inn with welcoming hospitality, lovely accommodation, traditional bar serving a wide range of beers, spirits and ciders. Famous for our friendly welcome. We offer great quality home cooked food in out restaurant with generous portions. We source Locally grown and produced fresh foods that we serve in our Restaurant until 9pm"
This beautiful old pub and restaurant on Usk Road has been meticulously restored to its former glory of 30 years ago, when droves of customers would line the road, hand in hand, singing Auld Lang Syne. Just off Monmouthshire Canal on the outskirts of New Inn village, it’s quiet and peaceful, with a fantastic beer garden complete with gazebos and picnic tables, surrounded by open, picturesque fields. It’s also one of the best places around for proper pub grub: have a burger – you won’t regret it.
The Horse & Jockey
This beautiful old pub and restaurant on Usk Road has been meticulously restored to its former glory of 30 years ago, when droves of customers would line the road, hand in hand, singing Auld Lang Syne. Just off Monmouthshire Canal on the outskirts of New Inn village, it’s quiet and peaceful, with a fantastic beer garden complete with gazebos and picnic tables, surrounded by open, picturesque fields. It’s also one of the best places around for proper pub grub: have a burger – you won’t regret it.

Sport/Leisure

Get your fix of singletrack fun and downhill action at Cwmcarn’s mountain bike trails. Cwmcarn is less than half an hour’s drive from the Prince of Wales Bridge and just 10mins from J28 of the M4. The wild and more natural contouring singletrack trails are ‘Cafall’ and legendary ‘Twrch Trail’. Both Red graded trails will keep you firmly focused on your riding, but stop for a breather and look about and you’ll be looking out over the Bristol Channel. The Y Mynydd Downhill trail offers another extreme graded option for those joining the onsite uplift provided by Cwmdown, to book click here. Ps Cycles Shop is on site located in the main car park next to the mountain bike trails entrance. offering bike hire, bike servicing, mountain bike skills days, bike and accessories sales. Visit the Ps Cycles website Sometimes mountain bike trails are closed or diverted whilst maintenance work or other operations are underway at Cwmcarn Forest. Please follow any diversion signs or instructions from staff on site. For information on current closures or trail diversions, go to the Natural Resources Wales website by following this link – https://naturalresources.wales/days-out/places-to-visit/south-east-wales/cwm-carn-forest/?lang=en
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Cwmcarn Wald
Cwmcarn Forest Drive
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Get your fix of singletrack fun and downhill action at Cwmcarn’s mountain bike trails. Cwmcarn is less than half an hour’s drive from the Prince of Wales Bridge and just 10mins from J28 of the M4. The wild and more natural contouring singletrack trails are ‘Cafall’ and legendary ‘Twrch Trail’. Both Red graded trails will keep you firmly focused on your riding, but stop for a breather and look about and you’ll be looking out over the Bristol Channel. The Y Mynydd Downhill trail offers another extreme graded option for those joining the onsite uplift provided by Cwmdown, to book click here. Ps Cycles Shop is on site located in the main car park next to the mountain bike trails entrance. offering bike hire, bike servicing, mountain bike skills days, bike and accessories sales. Visit the Ps Cycles website Sometimes mountain bike trails are closed or diverted whilst maintenance work or other operations are underway at Cwmcarn Forest. Please follow any diversion signs or instructions from staff on site. For information on current closures or trail diversions, go to the Natural Resources Wales website by following this link – https://naturalresources.wales/days-out/places-to-visit/south-east-wales/cwm-carn-forest/?lang=en
Smugglers Livery & Equestrian Centre is the base for Smugglers Riding School and is situated in rural Manmoel. The establishment is owned and run by Melissa Burles BHS AI ISM. Smugglers Riding School is Licensed under Caerphilly County Borough Council, Insured with Caleb Roberts, underwritten by Shearwater and a BHS Approved Livery Yard, Riding School, Facility Centre and Assessment Centre.
Smugglers Equestrian Centre
Smugglers Livery & Equestrian Centre is the base for Smugglers Riding School and is situated in rural Manmoel. The establishment is owned and run by Melissa Burles BHS AI ISM. Smugglers Riding School is Licensed under Caerphilly County Borough Council, Insured with Caleb Roberts, underwritten by Shearwater and a BHS Approved Livery Yard, Riding School, Facility Centre and Assessment Centre.
Beautiful 18 hole parkland course Excellent changing facilities Driving range with power t technology Fleet of electric buggies Full catering facilities, seven days a week Fitness suite & saunas Conference facilities for corporate golf days Professional tuition available Buggy paths on 18 holes
GreenMeadow Golf and Country Club
Tre-Herbert Road
Beautiful 18 hole parkland course Excellent changing facilities Driving range with power t technology Fleet of electric buggies Full catering facilities, seven days a week Fitness suite & saunas Conference facilities for corporate golf days Professional tuition available Buggy paths on 18 holes
Organised Open Water Swimming We are a hub for heath wellbeing and recreation and recognise the physical and mental benefits of open water swimming. We are a SAFE Cymru Accredited Venue. SAFE Cymru (Safe Aquatic Facility Endorsement) is a brand new accreditation designed to support outdoor facilities in Wales. The accreditation has been developed by Swim Wales in close partnership with Welsh Triathlon and is recognised by Welsh Government, Sport Wales and AWWSG as the pinnacle of safe aquatic facility standards in Wales. SAFE Cymru is helping us promote and progress open water swimming safely. Swim Wales’ world class standard will provide the appropriate resources and standards which are needed to ensure safe participation in Wales.
Besucher- und Wassersportzentrum Llandegfedd
Sluvad Road
Organised Open Water Swimming We are a hub for heath wellbeing and recreation and recognise the physical and mental benefits of open water swimming. We are a SAFE Cymru Accredited Venue. SAFE Cymru (Safe Aquatic Facility Endorsement) is a brand new accreditation designed to support outdoor facilities in Wales. The accreditation has been developed by Swim Wales in close partnership with Welsh Triathlon and is recognised by Welsh Government, Sport Wales and AWWSG as the pinnacle of safe aquatic facility standards in Wales. SAFE Cymru is helping us promote and progress open water swimming safely. Swim Wales’ world class standard will provide the appropriate resources and standards which are needed to ensure safe participation in Wales.