There’s lots to do around Fforest Barn, especially for those who love nature. The highlights on our farm include the view from Eagle’s Landing, a walk around the farm, meeting the alpacas and chickens, and seeing the Food Fforest, where we grow delicious, nutritious food (tours are available on request – call 07944 689108), use of the hot tub (pre-arrange on booking) and, coming in May, the salt box wood-fired sauna and eco-pool for wild swimming ( this needs to be booked in groups of 4 people at a time – call 07944 689108 to book).There are stunning walks in every direction and ancient powerful places to visit such as Partishow Chapel (11th century) and the Llanthony Priory. There’s great restaurants, cafes and pub in Crickhowell and Abergavenny, all within 15 minutes, as well as our local, The Crown.

Eco Pool and Salt Box Sauna Experience

Saunas are good for you. Wild swimming in pure rain water energises you. But even better is the combination, together with the salt-infused steam from our salt box sauna with benefits for breathing, the skin and immunity. Our sauna is built with alder wood, abundant in Fforest Coalpit, and fired up with kiln-dried wood. There’s a hot or cold rain water shower in the ‘change’ room where you can leaves your clothes and shoes. Also, you can choose to add a few drops of either Alpine Forest or a Minty Eucalyptus aromatherapy onto the steaming stones. In this fresh mountain air the Eco Swimming Pool, cleansed by aquatic plants and reeds, and Salt Box Experience combines the elements of wood, fire, water and air, to elevate your spirit and relax your body and mind. Opens in May.

Each session is up to an hour, for four people at a time – £80 for the session, £20 each.

Walks

You’ll find a book of walks in the barn and can see the details here too.

Try the loop over Bryn Awr or continue on to the local pub, and back on the Sugar Loaf Trail (max 1.5 hours each way). or head up Brwyn Awr and return (30 minutes)

Climb up Sugarloaf Mountain (1 hour each way). From the bottom of our lane, turning left, then, just befor the white house, you’ll see a sign and path to the right to go straight up Sugar Loaf and back.

The Pant loop takes you down into the nature reserve forest and up through The Pant, then back. (1.5 hours)

Partishow Chapel – you can walk to the chapel and back or be dropped off and walk back

The Gaer – across th valley is the Gaer, an ancient hill fort. We recommend a drive up to the Gaer, climb to the top, then there’s an option to walk back. From the Gaer you can also walk across to drop down into the Llantony Priory.

The Gwynne Fawr Reservoir – drive up to this high point and walk up to the reservoir. The walk there and back is about 40 minutes each way – a gentle climb compared to other walks.

There’s a book of walks, with maps you can take with you, at the Barn.

Local Pub – The Crown

The Crown, is an hour or so away by foot (<10 mins by car) and serves great food, beers and ciders. Closed for food on Mondays.

Partishow Church

Ian Hislop’s favorite church in Britain. It has an exquisite Rood Screen, carved out of Irish oak.

At the rear of the church is an unusual dugout parish chest carved out of a solid tree trunk, with iron bands around it and three locks, once used for the safe keeping of parish valuables. On the wall are some very rare medieval wall paintings – one of which features the figure of Doom, with an hour glass in one hand and a sickle in the other and a spade hanging from his arm.

Just down the road from the church is an ancient well. This is St Issui’s Well, a hermit who lived here and was reputedly murdered by a passing traveller. It is still revered for its healing properties.

Llanthony Priory

This ancient 12th century priory is where all the lay lines cross and has a stillness that is hard to beat. it’s a 20 minute drive, turning right, then right again at the crossroads (Fiveways), then left at the t-junction. It’s a lovely drive through the Llanthony Valley – a must see. There’s a pub, serving food on certain days depending on the season – Llanthony Priory

Crickhowell Cruising

This is our closest local small town with clothes shops, gift and bookshop, cafés and restaurants. Many people eat in the Bear, the legendary local hotel (open on Mondays).

The Dragon Inn is also good.  You can get everything you need in Crickhowell, only 10 minutes away.

Abergavenny

Abergavenny is a much larger town ten minutes in the other direction with some great restaurants. Check out The Gaff,  Michelin starred. Also, the Angel Hotel, which has great food  in the restaurant or bar, as well as a bakery. Also The Chapel. There’s a Thai, Indian – The Gurkha Corner.

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