Mission to Capel-y-ffin
A sunday morning hike with the girls and a little grub!
Dont take the end too seriously.
The Grange, Abergavenny
The Grange, Capel Y Ffin, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 7NP, Wales
Click on the blue link above to read more about The Grange or to book your stay there.Or visit for bargain prices on many more hotels in Monmouthshire in the UK and around the globe.
BLACK MOUNTAINS YURT | Self Catering | Crickhowell, Mid Wales
Black Mountains Yurt | Crickhowell
At Black Mountains Yurt in Crickhowell, Wales our aim with everything we do is to tread lightly on the planet as much as possible. All our electricity is made by us from renewable sources, all heat and a lot of cooking depends on our wood supply. We aim to plant enough trees over the next decade (9000 in Winter 2016/17) to improve the environment in the countless ways that they do – speak to Keith about this!
We take responsibility for our own waste , recycling, composting and burning appropriately – we ask our guests to do the same whilst staying here as we have no rubbish collection facility.
We do our best for our wildlife, we are currently involved in badger vaccination programs , tree planting initiatives and try at all times to keep the river healthy to support the spawning salmon our otters to name a couple of local species. We really appreciate our guests as the income from Tŷ donkey and our yurt allows us to do this work.
Black Mountains Yurt has a log burner, bedding and towels are provided. Electric lighting is available through a solar panel and small battery bank. Free standing bath ,hot water and a flushing loo are situated in a converted railway carriage ( please note that hot water can be temperamental when temperatures drop very low in winter) .
Cooking facilities : 2 burner gas hob, fire pit barbecue .
Our tips for things to do!
The best things are free:
This is walkers and mountain bikers heaven…Tŷ Donkey is situated in the Grwyney Fechan valley which is enclosed by the well known 17 mile Llanbedr horseshoe walk – 17 miles of open mountain beginning and ending at Tŷ Donkey ! This route can be walked , run or ridden by horse or mountain bike.
Just below Tŷ Donkey we have the honour of a stretch of private river which can range from babbling stream in the summer to raging torrent. We have trout , salmon and otters in the river. Guests may fish but we ask to leave the salmon in peace as they come upstream via us to lay eggs before they die completing their epic life cycle! There is a natural spa pool – ‘The Whirly Pool’ – within our boundaries which guests are welcome to brave and enjoy !
Local festivals:
Crickhowell walking festival : Feb/March
Hay on Wye literary festival : May/June
Green Man music festival : August
Abergavenny food festival : September
Great food:
The Walnut Tree , Chapel and Angel Bakery, Abergavenny. All owned by same local family.
Pizzorante, Abergavenny , family run Italian restaurant , extremely child friendly and fun.
Warmest welcome:
The Dragons Head, Llangenny. 45 mins walk from tŷ donkey. Honest and filling pub grub. Dogs, kids and muddy boots welcome. Wonderful hosts . Check opening hours .
Crickhowell is renowned for keeping business local. There are no chain stores on the high street and it boasts its own local , independent book shop ‘Bookish’ which also holds book signings , music events, kids events . Lovely coffee and cake and warm welcome in Latte-Da . Food and drink at all hours and cosy setting in The Bear. 2 great butchers on the high street also selling other food supplies . Grenfells can usually meet all grocery needs , good gluten free food available here too.
Stunning drive :
To Hay on Wye via Llanthony abbey (pub food and great walks) and Capel-y-Ffin church. Try shepherds ice cream parlour selling locally made sheeps milk ice cream! Or how about the old electric shop for vintage chic inspiration , music events and cocktails in the evenings. Open Tues- Sundays.
Dogs:
We love our dogs and welcome guests with dogs to Tŷ Donkey however through experience we must ask that dogs remain outside the cabin at all times. Well behaved dogs may sleep in the bathroom or if guests have a dog cage that may be brought inside the cabin but please, no loose dogs inside Tŷ Donkey.
In our 8 years of letting experience we have found that our guests at Black Mountain Yurt appreciate ‘hands off’ hosts so we will leave you in peace unless you need us. There is no key so no need for official arrival arrangements! Just arrive any time after 4 pm and please check out by 10 am on leaving . Em and Keith are always happy to give advice on good places to go locally and ready to help with any problems.
Our produce to which you are welcome free of charge where available:
We provide plentiful firewood , use respectfully please.
We have chickens – please ask if you would like some eggs.
There is often plentiful veg in the garden again , please ask if you would like some!
In autumn there is an abundance of apples in the orchard surrounding the cabin – help yourselves !
Your water at The Black Mountains Yurt is spring water from a spring on our ground , it is filtered for guests safety – enjoy its purity!
See more accommodation in Wales and holidays in Wales at tuckedawayplaces.com
One day, Llanthony Priory, wales
TY DONKEY | Self Catering Cabin | Crickhowell, Mid Wales
Ty Donkey is a handmade , oak framed cabin set in the Grwyney Fechan valley in the Black Mountains . Sleeps 2 adults and 2 children 8 years and under (2 small bunk beds).
The cabin has a log burner, bedding and towels are provided. Electric lighting is available through a solar panel and small battery bank. Free standing bath ,hot water and a flushing loo are situated in a converted railway carriage. ( please note that hot water can be temperamental when temperatures drop very low in winter) .
Cooking facilities : 2 burner gas hob, fire pit barbecue .
Our aim with everything we do is to tread lightly on the planet as much as possible. All our electricity is made by us from renewable sources, all heat and a lot of cooking depends on our wood supply. We aim to plant enough trees over the next decade (9000 in Winter 2016/17) to improve the environment in the countless ways that they do. ( speak to Keith about this!)We take responsibility for our own waste , recycling, composting and burning appropriately. We ask our guests to do the same whilst staying here as we have no rubbish collection facility.
We do our best for our wildlife, we are currently involved in badger vaccination programs , tree planting initiatives and try at all times to keep the river healthy to support the spawning salmon our otters to name a couple of local species. We really appreciate our guests as the income from Ty donkey and our yurt allows us to do this work.
Our tips for things to do!
The best things are free:
This is walkers and mountain bikers heaven…Ty Donkey is situated in the Grwyney Fechan valley which is enclosed by the well known 17 mile Llanbedr horseshoe walk – 17 miles of open mountain beginning and ending at Ty Donkey ! This route can be walked , run or ridden by horse or mountain bike.
Just below Ty Donkey we have the honour of a stretch of private river which can range from babbling stream in the summer to raging torrent. We have trout , salmon and otters in the river. Guests may fish but we ask to leave the salmon in peace as they come upstream via us to lay eggs before they die completing their epic life cycle! There is a natural spa pool – ‘The Whirly Pool’ – within our boundaries which guests are welcome to brave and enjoy !
Local festivals:
Crickhowell walking festival : Feb/March
Hay on Wye literary festival : May/June
Green Man music festival : August
Abergavenny food festival : September
Great food:
The Walnut Tree , Chapel and Angel Bakery, Abergavenny. All owned by same local family.
Pizzorante, Abergavenny , family run Italian restaurant , extremely child friendly and fun.
Warmest welcome:
The Dragons Head, Llangenny. 45 mins walk from tŷ donkey. Honest and filling pub grub. Dogs, kids and muddy boots welcome. Wonderful hosts . Check opening hours .
Crickhowell is renowned for keeping business local , there are no chain stores on the high street and it boasts its own local , independent book shop ‘Bookish’ which also holds book signings , music events, kids events . Lovely coffee and cake and warm welcome in Latte-Da . Food and drink at all hours and cosy setting in The Bear. 2 great butchers on the high street also selling other food supplies . Grenfells can usually meet all grocery needs , good gluten free food available here too.
Stunning drive :
To Hay on Wye via Llanthony abbey (pub food and great walks) and Capel-y-Ffin church. Try shepherds ice cream parlour selling locally made sheeps milk ice cream and the old electric shop for vintage chic inspiration , music events and cocktails in the evenings open Tues- Sundays.
Dogs:
We love our dogs and welcome guests with dogs to Ty Donkey however through experience we must ask that dogs remain outside the cabin at all times. Well behaved dogs may sleep in the bathroom or if guests have a dog cage that may be brought inside the cabin but please, no loose dogs inside Ty Donkey.
In our 8 years of letting experience we have found that our guests appreciate ‘hands off’ hosts so we will leave you in peace unless you need us. There is no key so no need for official arrival arrangements , arrive any time after 4 pm and please check out by 10 am on leaving . Em and Keith are always happy to give advice on good places to go locally and ready to help with any problems.
Our produce to which you are welcome free of charge where available:
We provide plentiful firewood , use respectfully please.
We have chickens – please ask if you would like some eggs.
There is often plentiful veg in the garden again , please ask if you would like some!
In autumn there is an abundance of apples in the orchard surrounding the cabin – help yourselves !
Your water at the cabin is spring water from a spring on our ground , it is filtered for guests safety – enjoy its purity!
Most of all enjoy Ty Donkey
A drive through The Vale of Ewyas (Wales)
From Llanvihangel Crucorney to Llanthony Priory. Created on a wonderful April morning. Car: Volvo S40 1.8 saloon.
Apologies for the intermittent Nextbase adverts. Also, the lack of sound (which is not really needed). Hope viewers find this video of interest, and I'll try to do better next time. DM 6/4/2018 Comments welcome. (Especially advice on how to make better videos!)
For more along these lines, please visit my website:
Ascent of Gospel Pass 27th June 2016
Gospel Pass Brecon Hills
Day 2
Cardiff to Chester.
3 capitals bike ride and this is the highest road in Wales.
Gospel Pass Descent
The Gospel Pass in the Black Mountains- the highest road in Wales. This is some of the upper part of the descent to the small village of Capel-Y-Ffin. Front and rear mounted GoPro Hero 3 cameras- camera bike is Hamish Henderson. Music is Paloma Faith - Do You Want the Truth of Something Beautiful. Brilliant album, worth purchasing. Ride today was 72 miles with 7,000 ft climbing, including The Tumble and The Gospel Pass from Hay-on-Wye. Sorry for the naff editing!
Black Mountains Part 2 - Waun Fach 04/07/11
Gospel Pass Car Park to Waun Fach & back
10.2 miles
Total ascent 1876 ft
Max elevation 2677ft (811m)
Duration 4 hours
Hatterrall Ridge to Longtown 31st August 2018
A sunset Friday night walk to the Crown inn in Longtown. The Hatterrall ridge is sunning on a fine summers evening.
Black Mountains via Gospel pass loop, Wales.
via YouTube Capture
Gospel Pass May 2016
Gospel Pass, Hay-on-Wye. Filmed with GoPro on mudguard of 2009 F800GS. Bike ahead is a 2004 R1200GS. Fantastic bikes, beautiful country...
DESCENT GOSPEL PASS
Downhill from Gospel Pass with Paulo, avoiding sheep & motorbikes.
The Gospel Pass
Riding the Gospel Pass with Neil and Carlton
Llanthony Priory Campsite
When you arrive in The Vale of Ewyas you will begin to understand the motive that led to the establishment of Llanthony Priory in 1100 by Benedictine monks. For more pics and info visit