The picturesque village of Skenfrith, nestled on the banks of the River Monnow in Monmouthshire, south-east Wales, offers a charming escape close to the Welsh-English border. As travellers through the quaint lanes that curl around the majestic Skenfrith Castle, it’s as if you’ve stepped into the pages of a storybook.
The pretty streets give way to stunning countryside vistas, peppered with ancient stone cottages and a historic church, encapsulating the idyllic Welsh countryside.
Central to the village’s allure is The Bell Inn, described by Time Out as having some of the “best pub views in the UK”. If you’re keen to discover the latest dining spots, sign up for our food and drink newsletter here.
The ambience of Skenfrith, especially as one ventures down the B4521, becomes palpably romantic; the British pastoral scene unfolds with softly rolling hills, scattered woodlands, grazing sheep, and beautiful farmhouses enchanting visitors.
Reaching the heart of Skenfrith, stunning cottages will capture anyone’s imagination and make them want to move there straight away, reports Wales Online.
While Skenfrith shines in the summer sun, it’s equally enchanting in the colder months, offering a cosy retreat at the village pub, the Bell Inn. The Monmouthshire watering hole boasts one of the UK’s top beer gardens, as celebrated by TimeOut magazine, which placed The Bell Inn fifth on their list, praising its “idyllic views over the valley.”
Nestled in the charming village of Skenfrith and beside the scenic River Monnow, The Bell is a stone’s throw from an Instagrammable bridge.
Patrons inside can gaze upon verdant hills dotted with grazing sheep and, if lucky, spot deer at dusk. For those who might skip the pub, Skenfrith Castle stands at the heart of the village, inviting history buffs to explore its grounds.
The castle saw significant reconstruction between 1219 and 1223 but fell into disuse by 1538. Now under the National Trust’s protection, visitors can wander the site, capture memories with photographs, or enjoy a picnic amidst its storied walls.
The site is open to the public all year round, but Skenfrith isn’t just a place of historical interest. Fans of Doctor Who may recognise it as the location for the fictional village of “Upper Leadworth” in the episode ‘Amy’s Choice’, which aired on May 22 2010.
Various spots around the picturesque village were used during filming. Just a stone’s throw away from the ancient castle, you’ll find St Bridget’s Church.
First mentioned in 1207, the church was rebuilt and expanded in the 14th century. It sits at the northern end of Skenfrith village and serves as an active parish church. It’s also a Grade I listed building.