The region surrounding Abergavenny and Monmouth is blessed with some excellent restaurants and pubs, and, helped by the Abergavenny Food Festival, is becoming famous for local produce and great places to eat and drink. Do ask us or the cottage owner you have booked with for directions to any of these, or for more information. It is a good idea to book a place to eat at the same time as you book your cottage.

The Hunter’s Moon at Llangattock Lingoed or The Angel at Grosmont (01981 240646) are good 'local' pubs for atmosphere and friendliness.

The popular Crown Inn at Pantygelli (01873 853314) is excellent for both lunchtime and evening meals, and is reasonably priced. Sunday lunch is particularly good. Closed for food Monday. Advise booking. www.thecrownatpantygelli.com

The Walnut Tree Inn, opened by the renowned Franco Taruschio in the 1960s, is now run jointly by local hotelier William Griffiths and by the famous chef Shaun Hill (formerly of the Michelin-starred Merchant House in Ludlow), and, after a rocky interregnum, has blossomed again. It has recently been awarded one Michelin star. At Llandewi Skirrid, on the Ross - Abergavenny road. Tel: 01873 852797. Open Tues – Sat. Lunch: 12 to 2.30; dinner: 7pm to 10pm.  www.thewalnuttreeinn.com

The Hardwick on the old Raglan road, is a well-thought of newcomer and is our favourite place to eat. Owned and run by Stephen Terry, it specialises in local produce. 01873 854220. Stephen appeared in The Great British Menu, so we advise booking well in advance. Closed Sunday evening and all day Monday. Advise booking. www.thehardwick.co.uk

The Angel Hotel, Cross Street, Abergavenny (01873 857121) is getting better and better, and is one of the rare places open on a Monday evening. Superb afternoon teas. www.angelhotelabergavenny.com

The Foxhunter Inn at Nantyderry (01873 881101), near Usk, is an excellent place to eat – pitched at the more ‘restaurant’ end of gastropub cooking. The chef is Matthew Tebbutt, who trained under Marco Pierre-White and who has since worked in the kitchens of The Oak Room, The Criterion, Chez Bruce, Clarke’s and in both of Alistair Little’s Lancaster Road and Soho restaurants. www.thefoxhunter.com

On the A470 between Brecon and Builth Wells in Powys, you will find the Felin Fach Griffin (01874 620111). Opened in 2000 by Huw Evans Bevan and Charles Inkin, the restaurant has quickly gathered a plethora of critical praise. A convivial ‘gastropub’ with delicious food, the atmosphere is relaxed and fun.  Open every evening.  Closed Monday lunch-time. Advise booking. www.eatdrinksleep.ltd.uk

The Nantyffin Cider Mill between Crickhowell and Brecon for ‘the bistro food of rural France’ (01873 810775). Their Champagne and wine is well-chosen. Closed Sunday evening and all day Monday. www.cidermill.co.uk

Tucked away in the small village of Whitebrook in the Wye Valley, is the The Crown, another Michelin-starred restaurant. Under head chef James Sommerin, the Crown offers 'the total dining experience' described as ' fine modern dining with classical french disciplines', sourcing much of the produce used locally. It has also been voted by Johanson as having one of the top three wine lists in Britain (2006). Lunch or dinner is theatrical dining and definitely to be lingered over.

Take a trip across the border to The Cottage of Content pub at Carey in Herefordshire (01432 840242). It is just off the A49 between Ross-on-Wye and Hereford, and just beyond Hoarwithy, which has an extraordinary church. Good food, welcoming atmosphere. It's about 40 minutes drive. www.cottageofcontent.co.uk

For vegetarians (and others), a daytime eatery really worth visiting during a trip to Hereford, is the excellent café in All Saints Church right in the middle of the city (a short walk from the cathedral).

Pizza Express in Hereford is very child-friendly (offering child-sized pizzas and crayons and paper), and, as a compensation for the adults, overlooks the cathedral.

For an award winning curry visit the Misbah Tandoori in Monmouth 20 minutes away. This family run restaurant is a regular in the Good Curry Guide Top 100 Indian Restaurants and offers the finest Bangladeshi cuisine cooked in the traditional way. Only the finest ingredients are sourced and everything is cooked fresh to order.

Monmouth boasts a number of cafes and eateries, ideal for lunch, such as the Italian-style bistro Prego in Church Street, a Pizza Express in the high street, and The Whole Earth in White Swan Court, which has a healthy, organic menu. The Thyme Out Coffee Shop (above Salt and Pepper Cook Shop in the main street) offers a nice coffee, breakfast, lunch or delicious cakes at afternoon tea.

There is an excellent fish and chip shop at Ewyas Harold, The Old Stables (01981 240237 or 07970 361457). Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Untested tips from friends: Peterstone Court, Brecon (01874 665387)

We would recommend booking to avoid disappointment and telephoning to check on opening times, as they tend to change them alarmingly often.