
One of the most picturesque counties in the UK, Monmouthshire sports undulating farmland, forests and mountains which are criss-crossed by rivers with a sprinkling of ancient market towns.
The Wye Valley combines a unique blend of Welsh and English character and is a place of stunning natural beauty.
Hotels and restaurants capitalise on the long tradition of tourism in these parts and make the best of the abundant local farm produce.
1861From the outside, this sturdy brick building looks like a sedate country pub, but the food is pitched at a higher level than that.
Cross Ash, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Angel HotelOriginally a great coaching inn on the London to Fishguard road, the Angel stands proud in the centre of Abergavenny, and has been privately run as a hotel since 2002.
15 Cross Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: British
Clytha ArmsA centuries-old converted dower house on top of a wooded hill is the setting for this thriving country pub/restaurant, which comes complete with all the trappings of a traditional local – table skittles to play, real ales to quaff and newspapers to read.
Clytha, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
FoxhunterMatt and Lisa Tebbutt have made a great job of transforming this one-time stationmaster's house into a relaxed and informal pub/restaurant of the best sort.
Nant-y-Derry, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Llansantffraed Court HotelBuilt on the site of a twelfth-century residence, this four-square Georgian house has been doing its duty as a country house hotel since the 1920s.
Llanvihangel Gobion, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
Llanwenarth HotelPerched on the east bank of the River Usk, this privately run hotel (formerly known as the Pantrhiwgoch) occupies a sympathetically extended sixteenth-century building with unrivalled views towards the Blorenge mountain.
Brecon Road, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: International
The HardwickAfter cruising around the top-end Michelin-starred London restaurant scene with the likes of Marco Pierre White, Stephen Terry got a taste for the informality of gastro pubs following a spell at the Walnut Tree, Abergavenny and – more recently - at the Pear Tree, Whitley in Wiltshire.
Old Raglan Road, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Malthouse'Absolutely first class food that has remained consistent for some years,' was one UK Restaurant Guide user's verdict on this long-standing Italian restaurant in a quaint brick and thatched building.
Lion Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Italian
Walnut Tree InnFor more than three decades the Walnut Tree was one of the UK's most iconic restaurants and a pioneer in the field of casual dining.
Llandewi Skirrid, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Modern British
The Crown at WhitebrookThere's something of a French auberge about this former pub in three acres of grounds close to the River Wye and Offa's Dyke path.
Whitebrook, Monmouth, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Modern French
The Beaufort ArmsYou can't fail to notice this handsome, white-painted coaching inn right at the heart of Raglan village, between the Wye Valley and the Vale of Usk.
High Street, Raglan, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The StonemillPeople have been known to motor from the Midlands to Monmouth for a meal at this converted sixteenth-century cider mill, set in landscaped gardens with self-catering cottages nearby.
, Rockfield, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Modern Welsh
Bell at SkenfrithDating back to the seventeenth century, this slate-roofed, white-painted pub has been given a new lease of life by current proprietors William and Janet Hutchings.
, Skenfrith, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Newbridge on UskFamous for its amazing location by a bridge over the River Usk at Tredunnock, the Newbridge Inn has morphed into the Newbridge on Usk and has found a new lease of life under the same ownership as the famous Celtic Manor Resort.
Tredunnock, Usk, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Traditional
Glen-Yr-Afon House Hotel, Clarkes RestaurantA delightful rural location in the lovely county of Monmouthshire overlooking the banks of the River Usk, Glen-Yr-Afon is just across the bridge, a five-minute stroll from the town.
Pontypool Road, Usk, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Raglan ArmsDeep in Welsh farming country between Usk and Raglan, this two-story 'red stone' hostelry has cleverly made the transition from drinkers' den to reputable pub/restaurant.
Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Three Salmons HotelRight in the centre of the lovely old market town of Usk, the Three Salmons Hotel is a charming, family run coaching inn that can trace its history back to the seventeenth century.
Bridge Street, Usk, Monmouthshire - Cuisine: Modern British