26/12/17 - The Old Nags Head, Monmouth

Distance - 7 Miles
Geocaches - 3
Walk Inspiration - Jarrold Wye Valley, Walk 21


Another Xmas trip to the Wye Valley, an area that never disappoints a hardened Rambler.  This walk is an absolute boster.

We start in Monmouth.  The hardest part of the walk is working out how to escape the car park and then how to get back into it from the high street.  Its as if the town planners don't want you leave.

Once out, its over the ancient bridge and walking downstream to Upper Redbrook.  Beautiful.

Beautiful Wye Valley

At Upper Redbrook, we pick up Offa's Dyke path which provides some height.  The highlight is a hill called Kymin, which offers a couple of architectural oddities - a naval temple, built in 1800 to celebrate British victories at sea and the Round House - a place for the gentlemen of Monmouth to have a booze up.

Notice we were separated by a bit of barbed wire

Offa's Dyke Path

Views over Monmouth from the Kymin

Its a maze of bizzare little footpaths between dwellings clinging to the side of the Kymin to bring us back to town.

Plenty of pub choice, but we had to visit the town's sole entry in the 2018 Good Beer Guide.  The Old Nags Head is a wonderful old school boozer, quite busy today with people who still haven't had quite enough Xmas Cheer.

Old Nags Head

Front Bar and Pool Room are both full

I should have completed my research before heading off, as I failed to notice the pub forms part of the town wall defences.  The building incorporates a C13th round drum tower on the opposite side to the front door.  I did inadvertently visit the room from the inside, as part of my pub exploring

Beer wise, it's a Brains house with Rev James the best selling beer.   However, after yesterday's miscalculation with Port, I surprise Mrs M by taking only a lemonade.

Normal service to resume during my next blog.