Wye Valley & Vale of Usk Blog

If, like me, you are the sort of person who enjoys snooping into doorways and wonders what's behind every door, then you will love the 2011 Open Doors month this September. Run by the Civic Trust for Wales, on behalf of CADW, it allows you to 'open' the 'doors' of buildings and attractions across Wales, many of which do not usually allow people to enter. Here in the Wye Valley & Vale of Usk we are of course jumping in bed with this idea and allowing you guys to visit many attractions across the region.

A full listing can be found on www.opendoorsdays.org.uk but I'll give you the pick of the bunch here.

Newport: 3rd & 4th Sept.

At the start of the month is your chance to visit Newport. Many of its buildings are opening their doors, from St Woolos Cathedral to Newport Civic Centre, and from Malpas Court to Maindee Police Station.

However the pick of the bunch is probably Newport Castle. Nestled next to the river, this oft seen but seldom visited landmark is allowing you the chance to look around on the 3rd September (10am-2pm), following a talk on the history of the castle. This is very rarely open to the public so don't miss the opportunity!

Abergavenny: 4th & 25th

Sandwiching most other events between them, the two open days for the Abergavenny area are at the start and the end of the month. They offer a wide variety of rural attractions, including an 18th century Cider Mill and an odd little triangular house. But the pick of the bunch is St. Cadoc's Medieval Church, which contains a 15th Century wall painting of St. George fighting the Dragon. In the beautiful setting of Offa's Dyke, it is worth a visit, and includes a nice talk as well!

  Monmouth: 10th & 11th

Monmouth is bulging with places to visit, absolutely jam packed. Amongst the many places are Monmouth Police Station, the Regimental Museum, Shire Hall, the Round House and Nelson Temple on the Kymin and, my personal favourite, a salmon ladder. Yep, we have a salmon ladder.

However, the best has to be Monnow Bridge. This 13th Century construct has a nice little tower in the middle which you can clamber up into on these days!

Monmouth is so full of places to visit in fact, that they have provided a nice visitor guide to all the attractions. Check it out here: http://www.visitwyevalley.com/downloads/file/50/monmouth_open_doors

  Chepstow: 17th & 18th

Finally we have Chepstow. On the 18th the castle is hosting a Medieval Mayhem Day, with re-enactments, living history craft workshops & guided walks around the area. And on the 17th there is a chance for a guided tour around the town gatehouse, as well as access to the rooms above. These previously housed the town museum and prison, and are not usually open to the public.

So why not make the most of these fantastic opportunities to view places that you would not usually be able to enter?