Plan your trek

walk here

Find a detailed route guide walking clockwise at visitmonmouthshire.com/thingsto-do/three-castles-walk.aspx.

All three castles are free to visit.

getting there

Skenfrith is the eastern tip of the loop, with limited parking by the castle and a layby on the B4521 just east of the river. Llanvetherine is close to the western tip, with a big layby on a bend of the B4521 just east of the village. Start from either, with the other as an overnight stop. No public transport.

where to stay

If you’re overnighting in Skenfrith, The bell (01600 750235, skenfrith.co.uk) was once a 17thcentury coaching inn and is now a boutique hotel with 11 gorgeous rooms from £150pn B&B. At the time of writing it is closed due to flooding: they should be open again soon and will be keen for your support! In Llanvetherine, there’s Church Cottage Camping (churchcottagecc.co.uk) if you fancy bringing a tent (from £15 for 2); a Wind in the Willows showman’s wagon which featured in the film (cottage-holiday-wales. co.uk, sleeps 2 from £142 for three nights); and luxury glamping lodges at Seven Hills Hideaway (sevenhillshideaway.co.uk, sleeps 6, from £435 for three nights). Further options on airbnb.co.uk, including Part-y-Seal B&B in Grosmont; do note that some of these have a 2-night minimum stay at weekends.

where to eat

The bell is renowned for its food with dinners like pan-fried fillet of wild sea bass (£20) in the restaurant and lunchtime ‘nibbles’ like roast pork and apple sauce ciabatta with fries (£9) in the Dog & boot bar. There’s also the angel Inn in Grosmont (01981 240646, angelinngrosmont.business.site) with mains including pie of the day (£12). For further refreshment a little off route look for the White Castle Vineyard at Llanvetherine (whitecastlevineyard.com, open Fri, Sat & Sun for tours and tasting) and the apple County Cider Company near Crossway (applecountycider. co.uk, open every day).

more information

See visitmonmouthshire.com or call abergavenny TIC on 01873 853254.