Food and drink near our Monmouthshire cottages

Staying at Foxes Reach or  Tintern Abbey Cottage puts you in easy reach of some of the best food and drink anywhere. Whether you plan to cook in the cottage, stroll to a village pub or spend the day exploring vineyards and farm shops, you will find plenty close by to make your stay a real treat.

Indulge in local food and drink in Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire is known as the food capital of Wales, a real treat if you like good food and drink. From farm shops and markets to vineyards and cider makers, there is plenty to taste and plenty to take home.

Local produce to enjoy during your stay
Fresh produce changes with the seasons, so there is always something different to try. Look out for local meats, cheeses, charcuterie and bottles to enjoy back at your cottage. We share details of specialist local suppliers, farm shops, farmers markets and restaurants in the app we provide to every booking, so you can find what you fancy quickly and easily. It all adds up to a memorable 5* foodie break.

When you buy local, you are supporting the farmers and makers who live and work here, many of whom we know personally. We love seeing guests discover new favourites, and we buy the same treats for ourselves.

Abergavenny Food Festival
If you visit in September, Abergavenny International Food Festival is a highlight. Bring flat shoes and a good appetite. Expect stalls packed with local produce, plenty to taste and buy, and demonstrations by well known chefs. It is an easy trip from the cottages and makes a full day out for food lovers.

Vineyards, breweries and distilleries
Monmouthshire has been growing vines since Roman times, and the tradition has never really stopped. The Cistercian monks at Tintern Abbey cultivated vines on the same slopes where they grow today. You can visit several local vineyards, including the prizewinning Tintern Parva vineyard, which is within walking distance of Tintern Abbey Cottage, and White Castle, well regarded for its sparkling wines.

Beer and cider lovers are well looked after too. Kingstone Brewery in Tintern, also within walking distance of Abbey Cottage, brews excellent real ales on site. Local cider makers use traditional apple varieties with wonderful names such as Foxwhelp, Tremlett’s Bitter, Dabinett, Yarlington Mill, Brown Snout, Michelin, Chisel Jersey and Ellis Bitter. Our favourites include Ty Gwyn and Apple County near Skenfrith, but there are many more to discover. In autumn, if you pass through Herefordshire you may see tractors hauling apples to the Bulmers and Westons presses, and in January some local orchards still hold traditional wassailing ceremonies. There is also a Cider Museum in Hereford for those who want to dive deeper.

In nearby Penallt, Silver Circle Distillery produces award winning Wye Valley Gin. You can book a course to make your own gin, join a tour, or simply visit for a cocktail and walk home afterwards. We have even supplied damsons from our own garden for their damson negroni.

Fresh fish and local specialities
For fish, it is well worth seeking out the award winning fish counter at Chepstow Garden Centre. They focus on quality and sustainable sourcing, and the difference compared with supermarket fish is clear. If you would like to order ahead of your stay, ask us for contact details and you can collect when you are here.

Restaurants and places to eat out
Our eating out list runs to around 40 places recommended by guests, and that is before you get to all the cafés, takeaways and snack bars in the market towns, so you will not run out of options. These are a few current favourites:
• The Black Bear, Bettws Newydd
• The Michelin starred Walnut Tree near Abergavenny, easy from all three cottages
• The Michelin starred The Whitebrook, just minutes from Foxes Reach and Tintern Abbey Cottage
• The Anchor, next to the Abbey in Tintern, only seconds from Tintern Abbey Cottage
• The Royal George in Tintern
• The Fountain Inn between Tintern and Trellech Grange, a proper old pub with open fires and much loved Sunday lunches
• The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny, popular for afternoon tea and its restaurant
• The Tudor Farmhouse at Clearwell in the Forest of Dean, winner of several awards

Whether you want fine dining, a long lazy lunch in a country pub or simple home cooked food after a day out, there is plenty close by.