MONMOUTHSHIRE - A BRIEF HISTORY
Monmouthshire, a county of great diversity, is one of the fascinating border counties which comprise theWelsh Marches. Gently rolling hills in the rural north-east of the county meet the wilder hills of the Black Mountain range in the north-west (part of the Brecon Beacons National Park); while the lower, more populated country to the south-west is in contrast to the dramatic gorges of the Wye Valley above Chepstow in the south and east. Now a peaceful and tranquil part of the country, it used to be a great deal livelier with all the border warfare of previous centuries. Prehistoric tribes, Roman soldiers, Christian missionaries and medieval warlords have all made their mark here. In AD75, the Romans established an important base at Caerleon, which today, complete with amphitheatre and barracks, is one of the most varied and fascinating Roman sites in Britain. Since the Normans came to the area in the 11th century, the Welsh, English and Marcher Lords fought hard over control of the territory. They have left a colourful legacy: there are more castles per square mile than probably any part of the UK. All their fascinating history makes for endless sightseeing opportunities from this perfectly-situated Welsh holiday house .
WELSH CASTLES AND CHURCHES
The Monnow valley forms a break in the natural defences of the southern part of the Welsh border, which is the reason why the Normans built a trio of castles to guard this particular route of communication. There are plenty more in Monmouthshire and in the surrounding counties - but Grosmont, Skenfrith and White Castle are the most important in the immediate locality of our Welsh holiday cottage. White Castle, just a few miles from Blaentrothy Holiday House, is very impressive, as it is the most complete of the three, and has a full moat and a wonderful view.
Llanthony Abbey, a Cistercian monastery in the Black Mountains just below Offa¹s Dyke path, is definitely worth a visit, and conveniently has a pub right within its walls.
Interesting churches abound, and among the best are in Grosmont, Cwmyoy, Partrishow, Kilpeck and Abbey Dore. If you choose a holiday in Wales at our holiday house then you will have plenty of wonderful Norman castles and churches to explore on your doorstep.
