Cap Glas Farm Cottage

The cottage is an ideal base from which to explore the Black Mountains. These are the most easterly peaks in the Brecon Beacons National Park offering less challenging walking with spectacular views. There are well marked paths through beech and oak woodlands on many lower slopes and across beautiful open moorland and heather which changes colour with the seasons. Walk from the cottage directly to the Sugar Loaf (1,995 feet), or Brynarw. For a full day’s walk, take in the site of the roman fort on the Gaer and walk along the ridge to the Gwynne Fawr Reservoir. Alternatively start from the tiny hillside church of Partrishow and walk along Partrishow Hill to Llanbedr or join Offa’s Dyke running along the Hatherall ridge just above the leaning tower of Cwmyoy Church. Or take The Three Castles walk which combines a visit to White Castle, Grosmont and Skenfrith castles. Maps can be provided.

For further details on activities in the Brecon Beacons see www.brecon-beacons.com.
Visit the waterfalls at Ystradfellte or explore the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal with its 7 locks at Llangynidr.

Cycle route 42 is close to the cottage and there are plenty of local outlets for cycle hire. The cottage has a lockable shed for bike storage. Visit www.cyclebreconbeacons.com for information on mountain biking in the national park or try the cycle route in the Forest of Dean.

The cottage, once a small dairy farm, is surrounded by typical welsh hill farms, most of which have grazing rights for sheep on the mountains. Bird lovers will find plenty of diversity in this mixed upland/farmland locality. As well as commoner species you may see or hear owls, curlew, hawks, buzzards, woodpeckers and cuckoos and the red kite is now well established not far away at Hay Bluff.

Riding, hang-gliding and pony trekking are popular activities. Canoe hire on the Wye is available at Monmouth.

On ‘indoor days’ try the rope centre at Llangorse Lake, see www.activityuk.com.
Game and coarse fishing (still, river and sea) are available locally, subject to byelaws, licences and fishing seasons. See www.fishing.visitwales.com.

There is an excellent mix of golf courses. The Monmouthshire Golf Club at Abergavenny and Wernddu (with driving range) are 10 mins drive from the cottage. Also accessible are the Rolls at Monmouth, the Marriott St. Pierre at Chepstow, the Celtic Manor at Newport, and less well known Raglan Parc, Woodlake and Alice Springs.