The cottage nestles by the River Monnow at the foot of the Cat's Back and Black Hill: you could not find a better location from which to explore the Black Mountains and nearby Wye Valley. In terms of outdoor pursuits the area offers something for everyone, from mountain biking, pony trekking and spectacular walks to wild swimming, canal cruises and canoeing on the Wye. Several locally-renowned eateries and pubs lie within a few miles of the cottage and there are many quaint, picturesque villages to explore. You'll find a list of local activity providers and eateries plus contact numbers in the Welcome Pack we'll send to you before your stay. The nearby towns of Hereford, Abergavenny and Hay on Wye are well worth visiting, especially on market days. All offer a good variety of restaurants, bars, cafes etc. All three towns are focal points within the Welsh Marches; an area steeped in history and culture and fought over by the English and Welsh for centuries. Our personal favourite though is Hay on Wye, the world-famous town of books. It has its own uniquely relaxed vibe and, of course, is famous as the home of the literary and philosophy festivals. Hay Castle re-opened this year after a lengthy and highly successful renovation project and is a prime spot from which to survey the town centre. The endearingly quirky Richard Booth Cinema and The Globe live music venue both offer an enjoyable and unique night out at a reasonable price. Browse the many antique, book and vintage shops in the town and enjoy sitting out on the pavement seating offered by many cafes and just watch the world go by.