New Year, Fresh Start..

“You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong.” – Sue Fitzmaurice

The New Year is traditionally a time to instigate change. Through resolutions, we vow to turn over a new leaf, break old habits, and try something new and exciting.

Every year January sees a huge surge in online property searches. Christmas is over, the house is quiet again, and attention can be turned to dreams of a new home and a fresh start.

Moving house and relocating is a true adventure and one you are never too young or old for. When nestled at home this January scrolling through beautiful properties online, we encourage you to turn to the county of Monmouthshire. Here’s why we think you should consider starting the New Year in this beautiful part of the UK:

Well Connected

Positioned on the border of Wales, Monmouthshire is exceptionally well-connected. We are only a short drive from Cardiff, Bristol, and Gloucester, and now that the long-awaited Heads of The Valleys road is open, there is quick access into the centre of Wales too. With the opening of the second bridge, travel to and from this part of the UK is simple.

We have two train stations in Monmouthshire – Chepstow and Abergavenny – with good connecting routes so friends and family can easily pop by for a weekend, although we guarantee they will want to stay longer!

Excellent Schools

We boast a variety of state and independent schools, all of which have been rated highly in recent years.

Families moving to the area often say that the schools are a primary reason for choosing to relocate here. The combination of excellent travel links for work and the wide variety of good schools, both primary and secondary, make moving to Monmouthshire a straightforward transition.

Why not book a tour next time you are in the area?

Fabulous Food & Drink

This area of Wales is renowned for excellent local produce, and medieval market towns like Abergavenny have a thriving market and roaring restaurant trade.

Abergavenny’s annual food festival has an exceptional reputation as a welcoming event for local food businesses, chefs, farmers, and food producers to come together. It is nationally renowned, and, prior to the last couple of years, draws in circa 20,000 visitors to the town!

Scattered throughout the country lanes are glorious gastropubs, with fine ales, roaring fires, and hearty local fare. Secreted amongst the Georgian facades are higher-end award-winning restaurants that are perfect for that special evening out.

It would be amiss of us not to point out here that as well as bustling independent shops, markets, and deli’s, we also have main supermarket chains, including a Waitrose, Lidl, and Marks & Spencer.

History Buffs Delight

As a border county, Monmouthshire has a rich and varied past. It was thickly forested in ancient times, and many battles took place upon its fields. However, it’s safe to say it has a far more tranquil atmosphere nowadays!

Monmouth itself has a wide medieval high street, and the market towns of Chepstow and Abergavenny are beautifully preserved.

You could spend many a weekend exploring the winding back streets of Monmouthshire’s historic market towns and quaint villages; acquainting yourself with its fascinating history, visiting the little museums, and learning from the locals.

Outside of the towns, the county is steeped in castles and ruins, the most famous being Tintern Abbey, sitting high above the Wye. However, Monmouthshire additionally boasts Caldicot Castle, Raglan Castle, Chepstow Castle, Usk Castle, and Grosmont Castle, to name but a few!

Next time you’re passing by, why not visit the little village of Redbrook and pop into the Redbrook Copper Smelt Mill. This area was pioneering in its copper smelting process in the 19th Century and is well worth seeing when in the area.

The Landscape

Monmouthshire is a true Welsh county (although it was debated for many years!). Rolling valleys, lush woodlands, fast-flowing rivers, waterfalls, and mountainous backdrops such as the neighbouring Brecon Beacons make this an area of beautiful contrast. If you are an avid walker, artist, photographer, wildlife lover, or simply enjoy being out in nature, Monmouthshire has much to explore.

The Wye Valley is an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and has welcomed sightseers to its banks since the 18th century. William Wordsworth, whilst holidaying in the area, penned his famous poem “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey On Revisiting the Banks of the Wye” in 1798 while struck by the majesty here.

“These waters, rolling from their mountain-springs

With a soft inland murmur.—Once again

Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs,

That on a wild secluded scene impress

Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect

The landscape with the quiet of the sky.”

The last two years have been challenging to say the least, and we all deserve a new start out in the fresh air, away from the rat race and the busy city streets.

So, have you settled on the changes you would like to make in 2022? Where will you decide to call home? Which magical place is waiting for you to start the next chapter and the next adventure of your life?

Take a peek at our latest properties for sale and let your imagination run riot.