Our Area

First class walking (the renowned 285 kilometre pathway following the route of Offa’s Dyke, constructed from AD785 and originally 27 metres wide and 8 metres high, passes only 600 metres away), horse riding, horse racing, caving, cycling, off-road and quad-bike driving, and many other activities are easily accessible to guests staying at Allt Yr Ynys, and the hotel lays at the centre of an area rich in cultural, historic and natural attractions.

Golfers of all standards are well catered for with 8 golf courses close to the hotel, and the nearest only a few minutes drive away.  These include:

Many major tourist attractions, sites of historic interest and other tourist amenities are within easy reach of the hotel including Hereford with its Cathedral, Mappa Mundi Exhibition and Chain Library.

Well preserved castles and abbeys such as those at Raglan, Chepstow, Tintern, Skenfrith, Grosmont, White Castle and Longtown are also easily accessible as are Abbey Dore with its Court Gardens, the 11th Century Priory at Llanthony (immortalised through the paintings of William Turner) and the twisted church tower at Cwmyoy.

Travel through the mystical Golden Valley or the mysterious Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains, or take a jaunt to Hay-on-Wye, home of the world-renowned literary festival, with  its myriad second-hand book and antique shops.

There are a multitude  of sites and attractions in and around Wales’ revitalised capital  city, Cardiff most notably:

  • the magnificent Millennium Stadium and its many world class sport and cultural events;
  • Cardiff Bay, Europe’s largest waterfront development.  Cardiff bay has been turned into a vast freshwater lake with the introduction of a barrage and is home to a number of attractions such as:
    • Techniquest Science Discovery Centre
    • The Welsh Assembly at the Pierhead
    • Butetown History and Arts Centre
    • Goleulong 2000 Lightship
    • The Norwegian Church Arts Centre
    • The brand new Wales Millennium Centre, a stunning and international arts centre
    • Atlantic Wharf Leisure Village

Also easily accessible are the natural attractions and stunning views throughout the Welsh Valleys (a visit to the Big Pit at Blaenavon - where entry to this World Heritage attraction is free - is a must), the Wye Valley, the  Vale of Usk and the Forest of Dean.

The following amenities for which we have special arrangements are available close to the hotel:

  • Quad- and four wheel drive safaris
  • Pony trekking/horse riding
  • Golf courses (8 within 30 minutes including the classic Rolls near Monmouth and the Celtic Manor Resort - venue for the Ryder Cup in 2010)
  • Caving and abseilling
  • White water rafting and canoeing
  • Hang- and para-gliding
  • Ballooning
  • Cycling
  • Painting
  • Lectured historical/cultural walks and tours.

Many of these activities are available at Mountain Mayhem, located just up the road from Allt Yr Ynys, and can be viewed on their web site.

We can also organise a wide range of special interest trips for a variety of group sizes. These cover a variety of interests including, but not limited to:

  • Church Architecture
  • The Marcher Castles
  • Mediaeval Urban Design
  • Geology and its associated land forms
  • Painting weekends
  • Mushroom trails
  • Murder mysteries
  • Bridge weekends
  • Wine appreciation weekends
  • Cider-making, gardens, vineyards, etc.

All special interest group trips are led by highly knowledgeable and qualified guides, a number of whom are leading authors or authorities on their special interest subjects.

Close to the hotel are the notable horse race courses at Hereford, Chepstow and Cheltenham (click on each for details of race cards, facilities and directions).

Race meetings are held at these courses throughout the year but the world renowned and highly prestigious  Cheltenham Festival starts on the 16th of March.  Allt Yr Ynys is an ideal base for visitors to the Cheltenham Festival, being only some 75 minutes drive time away from the ‘madding crowd’.  Transport can be arranged both to/from Cheltenham on race days as well as to/from regional airports should you be flying in.

Please call on +44 (0) 1873 890307 for rates and availability or e-mail on our enquiry form in the Contact Us page


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The Big Pit at Blaenavon