A cottage in Monmouthshire offers the perfect base from which to explore this area. Based between the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park and the bustling Bristol Channel, Monmouthshire has plenty to keep you entertained, whether you're looking for action and adventure, or rest and relaxation.

A visit to Raglan Castle is a 'must' for visitor’s young and old; these stately ruins offer great views and the chance of some fantastic photographs. It's easy to imagine how the castle would have been in its prime and how its inhabitants would have lived. Why not enjoy a picnic in the grounds and soak up the atmosphere, while the kids explore the grounds.

Tintern Abbey is another stunning structure that evokes the atmosphere of the past. The scale of these ruins is almost unbelievable, causing visitors to wonder how such a building could have been constructed almost 1000 years ago. Sited close to the River Wye, there are plenty of beautiful riverside and woodland walks close by. For a look at more recent history, the Abergavenny Castle and Museum has a number of permanent exhibitions including a World War II Air Raid Shelter, The Saddlers Shop, The Welsh Kitchen and Basil Jones' Grocery Shop.

Imagine discovering a lost garden with tunnels and underground grottoes buried under thousands of tonnes of soil for over 50 years; well the gardens at Dewstow, built around 1895, were buried just after World War II and rediscovered in 2000. Now open to the public, the gardens contain ponds and rills and, interestingly, a labyrinth of underground grottoes, tunnels and sunken ferneries.

Situated at the confluence of the Rivers Wye, Monnow and Trothy, Monmouth is ideal for river excursions and relaxing riverside days out. For instance you could canoe leisurely down the river and stop for lunch or a drink at one of the many waterside pubs and restaurants.

Pony trekking is popular here and there's surely nowhere better to give this a try than in the stunning surroundings of the Brecon Beacons. Whether you are a beginner or a regular rider, pony trekking is available for all abilities in this beautiful national park.

There's plenty to see and do here, so take a look at our selection of holiday cottages in Monmouthshire today.