Introduction
Abergavenny has been called the food capital of Wales, and the claim holds up. The Food Festival each September draws serious chefs, producers and food writers from across Britain to a market town that already has an unusually high density of good places to eat year-round. The Angel Hotel is a genuine landmark; the Market Hall on Cross Street is Wales's best covered market on any given Tuesday and Friday.
What makes Abergavenny more than just a food pilgrimage is the landscape that surrounds it. The town sits at the foot of the Black Mountains with Sugar Loaf visible on the northwest horizon, the Blorenge to the south and the Skirrid to the east, three distinct peaks accessible from the town itself. You can eat well and walk hard in the same day, and that combination is unbeatable.
It's also the most accessible entry point into the Brecon Beacons from London, fast trains from London Paddington reach Abergavenny in under two and a half hours.
Getting There
Abergavenny sits on the Cardiff to London Paddington mainline via Newport, direct trains from London Paddington in about 2h 20m, Cardiff in 35 minutes. By car it's just over an hour from Cardiff, 25 minutes from the M4 junction 25. The A40 and A465 run through the town.
Areas to Know
- Town Centre. Cross Street, High Street, the Market Hall and the Angel Hotel
- Castle ruins. Norman castle with museum; free to explore
- Sugar Loaf. Trailhead from Llwyn-on; 45-minute walk to the summit ridge
- Frogmore Street. Independent cafés and shops; Grounds for Good Coffee
- Linda Vista Gardens. The hidden terraced gardens above the town
