Walking Breaks: Castle to Castle / Castle and Abbeys

The Three Castles Walk

Walking from Castle to Castle is the perfect walking break and antidote for modern day pressures. Here you will escape into the tranquility of this quiet and little known corner of Monmouthshire, where rural life has changed little over the centuries.

The Three Castles Walk links the Trilateral Castles, a triangle of Norman castles built by Hugh de Burgh, to maintain a grip and a line of defence along the turbulent Welsh Marches. Walking through the quiet Welsh border countryside of sheep pastures and patchwork fields, it is hard to imagine the peaceful countryside as the backdrop of fierce medieval conflicts.

Your walk takes you to White Castle, Castell Gwyn, a well-preserved fortress surrounded by its water filled moat, standing in isolation above the peaceful surrounding farmland with views across to landscape, to the Black Mountains, the Skirrid, called Holy Mountain, and the Brecon Beacons.

You will walk old monks path, along quiet riverbanks and an energetic ascent over Graig Syfyrddin descending to the sleepy little village of Grosmont to its Castle, fine church, old market hall, and narrow street, scene of dramatic encounters between Henry III and Llewellyn’s fierce Welshmen in 1233.

From Grosmont you walk along the unspoilt Monnow valley to the tiny hamlet of Skenfrith on the meandering river Monnow. Time appears to have stood still as you glimpse into the windows of picturesque rows of cottages that have sprung up around Skenfrith Castle and its gem of a C13 church and wooden belfry.

The Three Castles Walk Length of Walk: 17/24 miles / 27/38 km Start: Nr Abergavenny Finish: Nr Abergavenny Grade: Easy with moderate sections, rolling farmland, hillsides and pastureland.

Prices

Accommodation:
3 Star High Standard Country House Bed and Breakfast

Cost includes:
your accommodation on bed & breakfast basis, packed lunches, detailed maps and route descriptions, transfers on the walk where required. Dinner can be booked at either your accommodation or nearby Inns.

Getting there:
Getting there couldn’t be easier. There is a good Rail service from London Paddington to Abergavenny (2 ½ hours) Celtic Trails can arrange to collect and return you to Abergavenney Station for a small charge.

If coming by car secure parking is available at your accommodation.