A walk around Castle Meadows and Linda Vista Gardens, Abergavenny
In the centre of Abergavenny, easily accessible from the town centre. Some 20 hectares of riverside meadow, next to the River Usk, with bordering trees, small copses, streams and ponds. Beautiful views of the River Usk, the Blorenge and of Abergavenny Castle and town.
The meadows are managed traditionally, being left to grow through spring and early summer, before a hay crop is taken. Through the second half of the year cattle graze the meadows. Adjacent to the meadows are Linda Vista Gardens and Abergavenny Museum and Castle.
The Route
Byefield Lane Car Park, near Linda Vista Gardens (Free except Tuesdays)
- Leave the car park from the SW (bottom right) exit & turn left
- After 100, turn left again and head across the meadow
- Turn right before the bridge over the River Gavenny and then right again to follow the bank of the Usk, all the way to Usk Bridge
- At the ‘Watery Steps’ information panel, turn sharp right and cross the meadow back to the car park
- Walk through the car park to Linda Vista gardens
- Turn left to walk along the grass terrace below the house
- Continue, keeping to the bottom of the hill and climb up gently to a red seat
- Continue round the perimeter of the garden back to the car park
Points of interest along the route
A. Castle Meadows is a large area of floodplain grazing land next to the River Usk; it is owned and managed by Monmouthshire County Council
B. Gobannium was a Roman fort guarding the road along the valley of the River Usk which linked to the legionary fortress of Burrium (Usk)
C. A castle was possibly constructed here by Hamelin (de Ballon) during the Norman Conquest of England and Wales before 1100
D. There are views of the surrounding hills, including Sugarloaf (to the north) and Blorange (to the south) property of Hamelin (de Ballon) who built a motte and bailey castle.
Walk information
Distance: 1.6 miles / 2.4 kilometres
Time: 45 minutes
Grade: Easy walk mostly level
Starting point: Castle Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5DL
Easy Abergavenny walks
There are plenty of walks without hills around Abergavenny. Here are some ideas:
- Circular walk from Llanfoist to Govilon by a circular route along Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and old railway line (3.7 km walk). Find all our walks along the Mon and Brec Canal here.
- Stroll around town via Castle Meadows and Linda Vista Gardens, Abergavenny
Popular walks around Abergavenny
- Abergavenny is surrounded by three mountains – the Skirrid, the Blorenge and the Sugar Loaf.
- Keepers Pond to the Blorenge, find the route here
- Abergavenny to Llanthony Priory , find the route here
- The Three Castle walk starts nearby and takes in Skenfrith, Grosmont and Whitecastle, three small but still impressive castles.
- The historic Offa’s Dyke footpath runs nearby. Built by Offa, King of Mercia in 757 to 796 AD the dyke formed the boundary between England and Wales, running 182 miles from Prestatyn in the north to Sedbury, near Chepstow in the south. There are several access points near Abergavenny – a good start (or end) point is Llanthony Priory. Find out more here.
- The Usk Valley walk
- The Wye Valley walk is a nearby long distance route.
- Find out more about all the walks Abergavenny here.
Find out what else you can do, where to stay and eat in Abergavenny here.