You live here so you already know that the county boasts some top-notch restaurants and pubs. We’ve got growers and makers, real ales, posh teas, wild walks. Monmouthshire has it all. But it’s easy to forget the amazing experiences on offer right here on our own doorstep.
Matthew Dawkins, chef at the Star Inn Llansoy
The Abergavenny Food Festival Fringe brings it all together and celebrates the joy of food, drink, hospitality and creativity across the whole community. It complements the main event’s core weekend programme (15 and 16 September). Thanks to funding from adventa (as part of Monmouthshire’s wide-ranging Rural Development Plan) this is the perfect opportunity to have a holiday at home. See why Monmouthshire is proud to be known as ‘The Food Capital of Wales’.
The whole programme can be viewed online at www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com or you can pick up a printed version at Abergavenny’s Borough Theatre, the Tourist Information Centre (Abergavenny and Monmouth) or the One Stop Shop. Meanwhile, here’s a sample of what’s on offer.
Medieval vestments: Our Lady and St. Michaels Church
Check out our local restaurants. There’s a centenary supper for Captain Scott at St Michael’s Centre, an Australian Wine Dinner at The Bell at Skenfrith, a Gourmet Mystery Supper at The Crown at Whitebrook and a beer tasting evening at the Star Inn at Llansoy; and that’s just for starters. So what’s your cup of tea? The Angel Hotel, holders of an Award of Excellence from the Tea Guild invite you to try something refreshingly different from their extensive list.
As well as fabulous festive menus you can go on a walk to Sugarloaf Vineyard, or take part in a Wine Walking and Wildlife trip to two farms – Gadr Farm and the Wernddu Vineyard and sample wine cider and perry as well. The Tretower Apple Festival has over one hundred varieties on display and there’s a Rare Plant Fair at Llanover Gardens including specialist exhibits of herbs, wild flowers and edible plants.
Browse the exhibitions and absorb a wealth of original talent. The line-up includes ‘A Theatre of Plates’ at The Art Shop, Abergavenny, with an exhibition of artist-decorated vintage reclaimed ceramics. At Craft Renaissance ‘Make Your Mark’ will showcase new work from recent graduates including printmaking and ceramics.
There are plenty of hands-on activities. Penny Lewis of The Culinary Cottage Cookery School is running a morning workshop, ‘Mouthwatering Monmouthshire’; there’s a two-day Introduction to Permaculture at Llanant Farm in Raglan, and you can try out butchery techniques with Beavan Family Butchers.
Abergavenny’s Churches are putting on a feast of plenty too. There’s a rare chance to see Medieval ecclesiastical treasures of Wales at Our Lady and St Michael’s Church , Cornerstone Evangelical Church is hosting a two-day programme of dems and workshops to coincide with the Festival weekend and the Salvation Army is running a soup kitchen.
Don’t forget the Made In Monmouthshire Arts and Craft Village in Tiverton Place!
We won’t! 🙂
Remember the Open Garden at Llanover on Sunday 21st with a foodie twist – healthy eating workshops from Maggie’s 11am – 4pm.