Find out more what's going on close to the Mon & Brec Canal

Last weekend saw the culmination of the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling. And so the rolling countryside of this corner of Wales was inundated with cyclists, from enthusiastic families to ultra-keen MAMILs (‘middle aged men in lycra’) - you must have noticed the increase in these brightly-attired guys who drag themselves up the nearest hill every weekend.

The main attraction was the 2014 British Cycling National Road Championships, with the likes of Sir Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish, Geraint Thomas, Lizzie Armitstead and Laura Trott competing in a world-class field.

The day before the Championship races, the Sportive gave amateur riders of all ages and abilities the opportunity to ride the same course that the cycling elite would follow. The choice of routes ranged from the 20-mile long Bronze to the 100-mile long Gold which included a 4-mile 10% gradient climb up The Tumble (the road up our very own Blorenge mountain). It was superb to see the action up close, and particularly thrilling to watch the final stage of both the women’s and men’s races which took place through the streets of Abergavenny.

And we haven’t got long to wait for the next major cycling event: The Tour of Britain is coming to the county on September 9th. The third stage of the event will begin in Newtown and wind its way through the Black Mountains, into Abergavenny and finish at the summit of The Tumble.

Seems like everyone’s going bike-mad. Our friends at MidWalesMyWay are running a competition to win £250 of cycling accessories, and some enterprising locals have opened the Black Mountains Cycle Centre, which "rocks" according to author and cyclist Rob Penn. Of course, there’s been a strong cycling fraternity in Abergavenny for decades. That’s where Double World Champion Becky James started out!

We’re very nearly tempted to get our bikes out of the garage and start our preparation for next year’s events. Then again, perhaps we’ll sign off now and watch the start of the Tour de France on television, followed by a gentle ride along the canal towpath. We don’t want to peak too early!

The area around the Mon & Brec Canal is a fantastic spot for cycling – both for experienced pros and those just looking for a gentle ride down the towpath.

When the British Cycling National Road Championships came to town

At last we can share with you our latest baby: Incline Cottage - a couple’s canalside retreat at Llanfoist Wharf. Designer & photographer Jonathan Morris came and took some photographs last week which will vastly improve the website for our two cottages. For the past few months we’ve had only an artist’s impression and an architect’s plan to try and convey what we had in mind for this project.

Believe it or not, the property was originally old out-buildings which we managed to fill with all sorts of belongings. Then, one day, we started looking at this place differently, began sorting through the contents stored there and set about a plan to turn it into something really special.

It already had a lovely location, just metres from the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, with amazing views across the Usk Valley and backed by a wooded hill. But it didn’t look much from the outside. So Alasdair drew one of his sketches, Sarah put her unmistakeable style on the project, Jeff, our carpenter, built the oak kitchen, windows and doors from scratch, and we all spent hours discussing colour charts, furnishings and lighting.                  

What we knew from the outset was that we could create a luxurious retreat for romantic breaks; what we didn’t realise until it was finished was just how Tardis-like the cottage is. No, it’s not painted blue but it does feel very spacious inside. We are particularly pleased with the bedroom with its Feather and Black kingsize bed and roll top bath. What’s your favourite bit?          

And so Incline Cottage was born. Its name comes from the route, or ‘incline’, which ascends steeply from Llanfoist Wharf up the side of the Blorenge mountain, within Blaenavon World Heritage Site. It is one of a series of inclines that formed part of Hill’s Tram Road, a primitive railway which linked Blaenavon ironworks, Garnddyrus forge and various limestone quarries. Counter-balanced trams took raw materials up to the ironworks and brought pig iron and wrought iron down to the canal to reach markets via Brecon or Newport.

Step out of Incline Cottage and you’re a stone’s throw from the bottom of the incline. It’s a fascinating, if steep, walk. Look out for some of the stone sleepers on which the rails were mounted and be rewarded with amazing views at the top.

Check out the availability of this magnificent luxury cottage and get one step closer to booking your perfect romantic break!

Discover this luxury holiday cottage for two at Beacon Park Boats – your perfect private retreat in the heart of the Welsh canalside countryside.

Luxury holiday cottage for two opens its doors

Kite is successfully launched on to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal ready to undertake sea trials before her first hire on the 21st March. 

Meet Kite – our new narrowboat, now launched and ready for holiday guests on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal with Beacon Park Boats.

News

When the British Cycling National Road Championships came to town

Luxury holiday cottage for two opens its doors

Kite successfully sets sail