Things to Do in Monmouth, Wales: Best Sights & Walks

Monmouth is a historic town in Wales near the English border, with plenty of things to do. It sits where the River Monnow meets the River Wye and is surrounded by countryside. The town has become an endpoint for many of my hikes in the Wye Valley because of transport links back to my start points. When visiting with Henry, we found the pubs of Monmouth to be dog-friendly.

Monmouth: A Brief History

The town’s history dates back to Roman times, when there was a fort on the site called Blestium. Blestium was a small Roman fort and an ironworking centre in the then-Roman province of Britannia Superior. The fort was established before 55 AD, making it the earliest Roman fort in Wales.

Later, the Normans built a castle here in 1067, which eventually came into the hands of the Lancaster family. Subsequently, Henry V was born at the castle in 1386. In 1536, it became the county town of Monmouthshire.

Monmouth was an active market town; in more recent times, it has become a tourism centre in the Wye Valley.

Things to Do in Monmouth

Walking, outdoor activities, and following the heritage trail are among the most popular activities in Monmouth. There are 24 buildings listed on the Monmouth Heritage Trail.

Hiking

There are many hiking routes through the Wye Valley National Landscape, which is absolutely stunning. Particular highlights are the area between Monmouth and Symonds Yat. On the English side is the Forest of Dean, which offers countless hiking options.

Canoe or Kayak on the River Wye

The town is the endpoint of many River Wye canoeing and kayaking adventures. Options range from short half-day trips to longer multi-day adventures. The starting point can be Kerne Bridge, Ross-on-Wye, Hereford, or even further upstream. There are local companies that run river adventures, including Inspire2Adventure.

Monnow Bridge

The Monnow Bridge, or Pont Trefynwy in Welsh, is the last remaining fortified river bridge in Great Britain with a gate tower still standing. Bridge towers like these were common in Medieval Europe; however, quite a few no longer exist.

Monnow Bridge is a Grade I listed building because of its rarity and significance. It is pretty easy to find, as it’s in the town centre at the end of the principal shopping street. The bridge is very easy on the eye and popular with photographers and artists; it has an interesting history.

Shire Hall

In Agincourt Square is Shire Hall, a Grade I listed building. Shire Hall was built in 1724 and was the centre for the Assize Courts and Quarter Sessions of the county of Monmouthshire. In 1839/40, the court was the venue for the trial of the Chartist leader John Frost and others for high treason arising from their part in the Newport Rising. This building also served as the town’s marketplace.

Churches

Monmouth has a few notable churches. The Parish Church of Saint Thomas the Martyr, Over Monnow, and St Mary’s Priory Church are the two most significant and centrally located. St Mary’s Priory Church was founded as a Benedictine priory back in 1075; however, much of the current church dates from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Church of St Thomas the Martyr, next to the medieval Monnow Bridge, has parts that date from around 1180. It has a 12th-century Norman chancel arch; however, the exterior was rebuilt in the early 19th century. St Thomas’ is one of 24 buildings on the Monmouth Heritage Trail and is a Grade II listed building.

Castle & Regimental Museum

William FitzOsbern established Monmouth Castle between 1066 and 1069 to complement his other major castle in Chepstow. It was positioned on high ground, overlooking where the town’s two rivers meet. Originally, it was an earth-and-timber ringwork fortress. The castle is mentioned in the Domesday Book.

Nowadays, it is a Grade I listed building and a scheduled monument. It was once an important border castle and also the birthplace of Henry V of England. The castle stood until it was damaged during the English Civil War. After changing hands, being sabotaged and partially collapsing, the site was repurposed. Then the Great Castle House was built in its place. Nowadays, this is the headquarters and regimental museum of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers.

Walk to the Viaduct & Duke Of Beaufort Iron Bridge

A walk downstream along the River Wye takes you to two notable landmarks, a viaduct and a derelict bridge. This walk is part of the longer walk to Redbrook.

The Duke of Beaufort Iron Bridge is crossable and has some fantastic river views from the middle. Crossing the bridge can be part of a circular walk that starts in the town centre. The viaduct is uncrossable because a large section is missing.

River Monnow and Wye Converge

From the town centre, if you follow the River Monnow downstream, you get to the Chippenham Playing Fields. These have a variety of routes to walk around, including under the A40 and into a nature reserve. During the summer months, this area is home to wildflowers and butterflies. From here it’s simple to find the mud beach where the Monnow meets the Wye. This is a great place to sit and relax on a warmer day. It’s also a popular spot for dogs to have a paddle.

Wye Bridge

The Wye Bridge is the primary route into the town from England and is quite photogenic. It is a popular spot with artists, too. There has been a bridge here since the Middle Ages; it was originally wooden, but it was rebuilt in stone between 1615 and 1617. It was widened in the late 18th century.

Monmouth Music Festival

The Monmouth Festival takes place at the end of July and the beginning of August annually. This is a free festival with various performers appearing at venues across the town. The main stage is along the river; however, most local pubs host performances throughout the festivities.

Nearby Towns and Attractions

There are interesting towns and tourist attractions within a 30-minute drive or bus ride from Monmouth.

• Chepstow is a nearby town where the River Wye meets the mighty River Severn. The biggest attraction there is Chepstow Castle. Upstream is the picturesque market town of Ross-on-Wye, another nice place for a day trip.
• The Forest of Dean has some special attractions, including the Dean Forest Railway and the Sculpture Trail. These are ideal starting points to explore the forest.

Dog-Friendly Pubs and Restaurants in Monmouth

Some notable dog-friendly pubs are The Punch House in Agincourt Square and The Gate House near the iconic bridge.

The Punch House serves delicious food in a pleasant environment. It is dog-friendly and has rooms for visitors. The Old Nag’s Head is a good option if you enjoy music and beer.

Getting to Monmouth

Driving is by far the easiest method to get to Monmouth. There are also buses from nearby towns with railway stations. Towns with railways include Gloucester, Chepstow and Hereford.

Is Monmouth Worth Visiting?

Monmouth is a lovely little town, a perfect place to break up a longer hiking or river adventure along the Wye. There are many things to see and do, including historical sites. The town also has some dog-friendly pubs and is good for dining out.