Outdoor activities
We're on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park and we're surrounded by suberb walking territory – we have not one, but two, mountain ranges here, the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons.
It's also a great area for cycling, horseriding, bird-watching and fishing. There's also sailing and rowing on nearby Llangorse Lake.
Why not check out the new Brecon Beacons cycle touring route or Mountain Bike routes – find out more from the National Park website. For free events, activities and guided ranger-led walks and more see www.breconbeacons.org/explore
Eating out in the area
The Hardwick is our nearest restaurant and its run by award-winning chef Stephen Terry, pictured. It's said to be Michel Roux Jnr's favourite restaurant (Stephen's old boss). It was named Welsh restaurant of the year in 2012's National Restaurant Awards.
There's also the Walnut Tree Inn, near the Skirrid (around four miles from Hardwick Farm), The Foxhunter in Nantyderry, Monmouthshire (two miles from Hardwick Farm) and Llansantffraed Court Country House Hotel – a four-star hotel and restaurant, open to non-residents.
There are also plenty of marvellous pubs such as The Bear Hotel, in Crickhowell, an old drover's inn on the A40, five miles from the farm, and The Crown at Pantygelli, around two miles from Abergavenny (round the 'back' of the Sugar Loaf). For more great real ale pubs in Monmouthshire, read this local Camra member's guide.
Not forgetting... Abergavenny Food Festival in September, which attracts top name chefs who hold workshops and demonstrations and there are pop-up restaurants and food classes for kids.
History and heritage
Check out the stunning Raglan Castle, pictured, Chepstow (one of the earliest Norman fortresses in the UK), Carreg Cenin (near Llandeilo) and Tretower Court (near Crickhowell). And don't forget Abergavenny Castle as well as other heritage sites such as standing stones and hillforts. There are lots of Roman sites too – Caerleon (Roman Baths and amphitheatre) and Caerwent (Roman town) are among the best, plus check out the Sarn Helen Roman road near Brecon.
Of course, being Wales there are also plenty of industrial heritage sites like the famous Big Pit (National Coal Museum – take a trip down a mine) or check out Blaenavon Ironworks (Unesco World Heritage Site), the Brinore Tramroad and the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal.
Independent shops, galleries and theatres
Abergavenny has its share of independent shops – from art shop to music shop, wool shop to cookery shop as well as the fabulous Market Hall, pictured. You'll also find some great independent cafes including a cafe within Abergavenny Priory (in an old tithe barn next to the church). And don't miss the castle when you're in town (it's free – they've got some great hands-on history backpacks for kids).
Further afield you'll find independent shops, galleries, bookshops cafes and craft markets in Brecon, Hay-on-Wye and Crickhowell.
You'll find evening entertainment in Abergavenny at the Borough Theatre, the Baker Street Cinema and there are often classical music concerts in churches in town (from Abergavenny Symphony Orchestra and other groups).
The area is also home to two major music festivals in August – the Green Man Festival at the Glanusk Estate near Crickhowell and Brecon Jazz (which takes over the town's venues and streets for three days). We've also got the Hay Literary Festival within easy reach – it's held annually in late May / early June and is home to some of the biggest name authors and speakers from the world of politics, comedy and the media.
