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The all weather answer to days away in the Royal Forest of Dean [RFOD] is to
visit Hay-on-Wye or Cheltenham as both towns are dreams for literary and
musical enthusiasts, especially at their festival times. Hay Festival is
usually end May early June [check out with www.hayfestival.co.uk] and
Cheltenham Festival of Literature is October [see
www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk]
Within an hour's drive of the cottage is Hay-on-Wye which began its annual
carnival of words and music a dozen years ago. Now literary festivals [known as litfests] are a boom industry where readers, writers, publishers mix with
celebs, book lovers and browsers. The world's oldest and one of UKs
biggest all-round book litfests is in Cheltenham, 40 minutes drive from
High Beeches. As with Hay you will meet A-list authors speaking on
everything from sci-fi to science, via the Glory that was Greece, gardening,
cooking, crime, politics and philosophy! Great pubs and food in these
towns also.
Even outside litfest season you can still book yourself up visiting these
towns - and others in the RFOD & Wye Valley which are within easy travel
distance of High Beeches - such as Ross on Wye, Chepstow, Newent,
Abergavenny, Monmouth and Tintern - all of which have a ' way with
words ' in their many antiquarian & second-hand shops.
If not in the mood for books, browsing or visiting towns & villages:
you are spoiled for choice with activities and attractions.
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Lynda says, "Make Hay while the Sun Shines!"
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Owner Lynda with a big one!
Want to learn to fish. There are in-depth training sessions for youngsters provided by the Royal Forest of Dean Angling Club. All are welcome - no previous experience is necessary. Fishing equipment and refreshments provided. More info |
There are leisurely waterways and reservoirs such as Llandegfedd offering
dinghy sailing, windsurfing, rowing, canoeing with or without tuition. Raft
races, towpath walks, cruising and bank or boat fishing are all available
along the Wye, & in nearby Newport, Monmouth and at Symonds Yat.
Anglers will love both the Wye Valley and nearby Vale of Usk. The River Usk
is cherished by salmon and trout fishermen & the Usk & the River Wye, within 15
minutes walk from High Beeches, are two of Britain's cleanest, and a first
class salmon fishery also brimming with chub, barbel, roach & dace. Fishing
permits are available in local towns, or through the Fly Fishing Assoc.
County Councils or ask the Tourist Boards.
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Or why not visit castles & museums? Centuries of battle in this borderland
and Welsh Marches have left more castles than probably anywhere else in
Britain. From Roman fortress to Bronze Age monoliths, mythical links with
the Court of King Arthur to the birthplace of King Henry V at Monmouth,
latter within half -an-hour drive of the cottage.
Historic attractions such as the jewel in the crown of the Wye Valley - the best-preserved
medieval abbey of Tintern - is always worth a visit as is The Skirrid Inn
reputed to be the oldest pub in Wales!
There are also local markets, arts & crafts fairs with colourful stalls of
local produce, and weekly retail, car & flea markets offering great bargains.
Professional and amateur art exhibitions at interesting venues feature
throughout the area, as do public gardens, and many craftspeople also now
base themselves in this borderland betweeen England & Wales. Their work can
be seen throughout the RFOD, Wye Valley, and Heritage centres. Visit
the websites on the home page for more info.
So much to do and to see whilst based at the cottage, Cheltenham & Chepstow race courses offer a year-round fixture list of both
jump and flat race meetings : The RFOD is a premier golfing region
including championship courses at The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport and St.
Pierre at Chepstow as well as local ones near to cottage. Or try cycle
hire, and ride along two of the long-distance routes on the National Cycle
Network. Lon Las Cymru starts its 185 route in Chepstow heading north
through the Brecon Beacons to Snowdonia, or the 220 miles Celtic Trail
crossing Newport's famous transporter Bridge heading west. There is
also the most challenging of mountain biking including across the infamous
Llanthony Valley.
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Where England meets Wales as seen from the studio at High
Beeches - the Royal Forest of Dean, Wye Valley, Brecon Beacons, and the
views towards Symonds Yat + seven counties beyond including Herefordshire,
Powys and Gwent.
Of course you can taste temptation on the terrace, in the
conservatory or garden, savouring these scenes. Or you can escape to enjoy
all the enchantment and entertainment that is within easy travel distance of
the cottage.
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