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Tours > Wales > Monmouth
Monmouth
Monmouth can rightly be called the Gateway to South Wales; for millenia, its strategic position where the River Monnow flows into the Wye, controlled the main routes into the Vale of Glamorgan, the main route into South Wales. Its imposing medieval fortified bridge-gateway (the last survivor in Britain still in regular use) over the Monnow, marks its significance as head of the Lower Wye Valley and the capital city of the Welsh county of Monmouth (Gwent) created in 1535 by Henry VIII. The great archway, dating from 1270 was a toll house with portcullis, eyelets for the archers and apertures from which to pour boiling lead on the heads of attackers. The town's network of old, narrow streets contain many fascinating Tudor and Georgian buildings.
Not much remains of the Castle except for the Norman keep, or Great Tower, but the adjacent Great Castle House, built in 1673 is worth a visit. The warrior-king, Henry V was born in the castle, a fact commemorated by the name of Agincourt Square, where Shire Hall prominently displays a statue of the warrior king who used the services of Welsh archers "wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps." Here is also a statue of Charles S. Rolls, a founder of the famous Rolls-Royce Company and also the first man to fly across the English Channel and back again without landing (in 1910 he became the first Briton killed while flying). The Monmouth Museum contains memorabilia connected with Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton; more artifacts and portraits are found at the 18th century Round House and Naval Temple on the wooded Kymin Hill.
From London, the M4 takes you to South Wales over the Severn Bridge; the A466 then takes you directly to Monmouth following the course of the Wye, through the much-praised, deeply wooded valley of the same name. The town can be reached from Gloucester on the A40 (via Ross on Wye).
Next Stop: Raglan Castle
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