To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Learn more
To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Learn more
To build your own Itinerary, click 
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
We’ve taken picnicking seriously for years in Monmouthshire. In fact, the Round House on the Kymin was built in 1794 by the Monmouth Picnic Club to provide a breathtaking spot for lunch, overlooking this border market town in the Wye Valley. With very little effort you can pick up some tasty local produce in our delis, bakeries and farmers’ markets to make a delicious picnic. Then all you need is an amazing view and something to occupy the younger members of your party. Below are our five favourite picnic spots, and see our 'Buy Local' page for suggestions on where to buy the ingredients for your perfect picnic. Look out for locally made picnic rugs and willow baskets (for that authentic feel) direct from the makers at Court Cupboard Craft Gallery.
Of course we can’t do anything about the occasional spot of rain.
First up, a place so synonymous with picnics it has it in its name : Black Rock Picnic Site. Located on the Wales Coast Path near Caldicot, it offers great views over the Severn Estuary and plenty of space to relax and enjoy your picnic.
Check out the recently installed sculptures at the site. The Engineer stands at the top of the old slipway, looking out across the water towards the Prince of Wales Bridge. This sculpture was inspired by the 19th century civil engineer Thomas A. Walker, who undertook the completion of the Severn Tunnel and built Sudbrook for the tunnel workers. The second sculpture is a wooden Fisherman wading through the grass in the picnic area, holding a lave net with a wooden salmon leaping out of the grass ahead of him, to celebrate the lave net fishing heritage of the area.
You can work up an appetite by walking the 3 mile Black Rock Health Walk, which takes in parts of the Wales Coast Path and the Gwent Levels.
Enjoy a picnic on the banks of the River Usk at Castle Meadows. This is where we say “Please keep on the grass. Lie Down. Roll around on it and forget all the worries of the past two and a bit years”. There's 20 hectares of meadowland, so plenty of space. Once you're relaxed you can explore the area on the 1 mile Castle Meadows Health Walk.
Another nearby option are the grounds of Abergavenny Castle, which are open every day 11am - 4pm. Combine your picnic with a trip to Abergavenny Museum (within the castle), open every day except Wednesdays.
High above Monmouth stands the Kymin, a wooded landmark hill offering 9 acres in which to stroll. It's been a renowned picnic site since the 18th century, and was so famous that even Admiral Nelson visited in 1801. Offering breathtaking views over Monmouth (and as far as the Brecon Beacons), it's a perfect spot for a picnic. From the town, it's possible to walk (1.5 miles uphill following the Offa's Dyke footpath) or drive (steep with hairpin bends) off the A4136.
Enjoy your picnic in the beautiful surroundings of the medieval Caldicot Castle. Entry is free, and there's plenty of outdoor space within the castle to relax. There's also a tea room to buy food and drink if you prefer.
The castle is set in a 55-acre country park with large areas of woodland, a reach of the River Nedern, and pleasant open parkland to enjoy. You can take it all in on the 1 mile Caldicot Castle Health Walk.
Goytre Wharf is located on the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal (known affectionately as the Mon & Brec), considered by many to be Britain's most picturesque canal. The canal is a diverse natural habitat - a colourful nature trail in all seasons - and home to an impressive array of historical industrial heritage. It's a long distance path for walkers and cyclists and a pleasant route for exploring by electric day boat, kayak or narrowboat. There's a lovely onsite cafe called 'Penelope's' at Goytre Wharf where you can buy hot and cold drinks and food, or you can just bring a picnic and sit on the grass next to the lime kilns. You can also hire boats at the site from ABC Boat Hire.
© Visit Monmouthshire 2024. All Rights Reserved
