101 places to go – Abergavenny Food Festival special

We can’t lie, the fact that the Abergavenny Food Festival is taking place this weekend (17-18 Sept) did play a small part in our selection of the ‘Gateway to Wales’ for this week’s recommended place to visit. After all, we’re a little partial to a lot of food in the cottages4you office!  But that’s not to say we were completely led by our stomachs, as Abergavenny boasts enough attractions to make it the envy of many other regions.

For starters there’s the lovely setting; the region is framed by the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons National Park. And as you might imagine, that also means loads of opportunities for fantastic walks, such as the Offa’s Dyke path, Usk Valley Walk and Beacons Way – all of which provide the perfect excuse for a little over-indulgence at the Food Festival!

There are also regular markets, events and a range of great pubs and restaurants. In fact, there’s so much on offer in Abergavenny that we’ve decided to focus our recommendations on things to see, do and eat at the Food Festival!

•  The Party at the Castle on Saturday night sounds like the perfect way to combine food, fun and heritage! The event promises an enchanting evening of live music, entertainment, fireworks and food stalls. It starts at 7.30pm and runs until 11.00pm

•  If you’d like to combine your exploration of food with an equally satisfying journey through the region then one of the organised forays could be right up your street. You could take a fungus foray through the Marches area with local mushroom expert Sheila Spence. If messing about on the river is more your cup of tea then you can enjoy a guided fishing trip with Phil Starmore and members of the Abergavenny Game Fishing Association on the river Usk. Manage to catch more than a cold (brown trout is your goal) and TV chef Valentine Warner will then turn up to show you how to cook a tasty snack on the riverbank.

•  There’s plenty for young foodies too, with a Teddy Bears’ Picnic and Duck Race, a Family Welsh Picnic, Bush Craft workshops and much more!

Please search our featured range of holiday cottages if you fancy a break in Abergavenny this weekend.

Check out the event website for more info on the Abergavenny Food Festival.