Abergavenny Things to Do Tips by Myfanwe Top 5 Page for this destination

St Marys Priory Church

St Mary's Priory Church has been described as one of the finest churches in Wales. It contains some superb monuments and sculptures, said to be among the most important collections of any parish church in Britain.

The Priory at Abergavenny was established at the end of the 11th century by the Norman lord Hamelin de Ballon to support a prior and 12 monks from the French Abbey of St Vincent and St Lawrence in Le Mans. Little remains of the original structure and most of the present church dates from the 14th century.

Guided tours can be arranged for any size of party by calling 01873 858787.

Address: Monk Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5ND

The Tithe Barn

This fantastic building has a long and fascinating history. It dates back to the 12th century, when it was built to house the tithes (taxes) paid by the local community to the monks of St Mary’s Priory. Over the years it has been used for many different purposes, from a travelling theatre in the 17th century to a carpet warehouse and discotheque in the 20th. It is now part of the St Mary’s Priory Church complex. It houses a food hall, shop, education centre and exhibition.

Address: Monk Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5ND

The Tannery

A tannery once existed in the grounds of this building which has now been turned into flats for the retired. The tannery was part of a thriving shoe-making industry in the town. The building is now part of Pegasus Court, a retirement housing complex.

Directions: Cross the road from the Tourist information and you will see the old Tannery on the road to your left.

King Henry VIII Grammar School

The King Henry VIII Grammar School was established in what was then St John's Church in 1542. It was supported for many years by tithes gained from the dissolved St Mary's Priory and from other properties. A new school was built in Penypound in 1898, and St John's then became a Freemasons' Lodge.

Admire the Great Georgian Buildings

As you walk down Nevill Street you will see some great Georgian Buildings which were built around 1750. As we were walking along we spotted a great fireplace just inside one of the buildings which is now being used as a solicitors.

Address: Nevill Street

The Periwig Makers!

Abergavenny was well known for the manufacture of white Periwigs. As you walk along Nevill street you can see a plaque stating 'On this site lived James Jones, hair bleacher circa 1741.

The Cow Inn

The Cow Inn, Nevill Street (now The Trading Post): In the 16th century, the Cow Inn was a substantial two-storied town house. During that time its was lavishly restored by the Vaughan family (of Tretower Court). There has been a restoration of the richly carved window sills and lintels, showing the family crest and various animals including dragons. The upper floor and horned cow-heads were almost certainly added when it became the Cow Inn.

Address: Nevill Street

Do the Heritage Trail

We picked up the leaflet from the Museum in the Castle but you should also be able to get it from the Tourist information near the main car park.

The leaflet highlights buildings of notable history. There are no less than 23 blue plaques in and around the streets of Abergavenny which give snippits of information relating to the history of the lovely old buildings such as the Georgian houses, medieval gate and the site of the periwig makers!! It was fun to do and took us about an hour to see everything. It was also a good way of getting to see everything of historic interest.

Directions: Around the streets in the Town Centre.

Visit the Museum

This little museum is hidden away in what used to be the Motte of the castle. The building is an attractive early 19th Century hunting lodge which also contains a lovely little gift shop. The museum contains artefacts from Roman times through to the 20th Century where there are exhibits of a bedrooms, a well stocked shop from years gone by and an anderson air raid shelter. Best of all, this fabulous little Museum is free of charge.

Directions: Inside the Castle grounds.

The Victorian Garden

Within the Castle grounds there is a delightful little Victorian garden. I visited in the winter so the herbs and flowers were not at their best but I could tell that it'd be worth going back in the summer to have a look at it in full bloom.

Directions: Inside the Castle grounds.