EX-MINERS COTTAGE IN BLAENAVON WORLD HERITAGE TOWN

'Dragon Cottage' is a traditional mining cottage in the residential heart of Blaenavon. It has been renovated (4* graded) but maintains its character with beams and stonework. All local amenities including convenience stores, pubs/bars, restaurants and an array of excellent take-aways are a short walking distance. Parking is usually available on the road outside or very nearby. It provides an excellent base for touring Wales. Reliable Wi-Fi is available in the cottage. Blaenavon is a typical ex-mining town in the first of the Valleys, 5 miles from Abergavenny, 27 miles from Cardiff and 33 miles from the Severn Bridge which is now toll free. Situated on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, wonderful scenery can be reached within a few minutes including the Tumble and Garn Lakes. The area is excellent for walks and cycling and the Goytre Canal (as seen on 'Great Canal Journeys') is nearby The cottage is managed for us (as we live near Portsmouth) and we have a number of contacts who can offer support should there be a problem Blaenavon was granted World Heritage status in 2000 with its mining history - the Big Pit experience and the Ironworks are located on your doorstep with other attractions such as the Heritage Steam Railway and the Rhymney Brewery Viitor Centre - there are really endless opportunities whatever the weather so a visit to the local World Heritage Tourist Information Centre which houses an exhibition and an excellent café is recommended as a first stop! The main street has a variety of shops and excellent take-aways, there are at least five convenience stores within short walking distance, including a Co-Op. The popular Butterflies Bar & Restaurant is a few steps up the road and the well-rated Lion Hotel is a very short walk away where you can enjoy a drink or pub snack in the bar or a meal in the restaurant. There is a new coffee shop just opened in Broad Street (Sprinklez) and the Blaenavon Cheddar Company makes wonderfully flavoured cheeses on site for all to see and buy!! Otherwise the Card & Coffee Shop is also recommended. A car would always be recommended for touring but there is a good bus service which runs from the bottom road, Prince Street, in all directions. The train stations at Ebbw Vale(Town) and Abergavenny are equidistant, approximately 7.5 miles away. The valley line (from Ebbw Vale) however, is a very much cheaper way to get to, say, Cardiff and is definitely worth considering. If you are a walker you can pick up a Blaenavon Walks Pack from the Tourist Heritage Centre (0.5 miles drive or 0.2 miles, 5 min walk) or there may be one in the sideboard cupboard if not all taken. This pack is fantastic for the immediate area and has walks of several distances including the Iron Mountain Trail. Also the Brecon & Monmouthshire canal offers walking & cycling opportunities and can be accessed at many local points including the main Goytre, Govilon & Llanfoist wharfs.