Welcome to our part of Wales: An area of idyllic Welsh border country which lies between the Skirrid Mountain outside Abergavenny in Monmouthshire and the River Monnow at Skenfrith, taking in the small, rural communities of Llangattock Lingoed, Cross Ash and Grosmont. The rolling countryside of Herefordshire lies to the east and the uplands of the Black Mountains to the west. What lies in between is still a largely undiscovered secret - history in the form of castles, churches, listed buildings, footpaths and famous forebears; picturesque scenery reached along winding country lanes and warm hospitality in family-run bed and breakfasts, pubs and self-catering cottages. Use this website to plan a trip or tofind out about local family history. Learn about The Village Alive Trust's EU-funded project restoring local historic buildings and capturing people's memories of a rapidly fading way of life. Get a taste of a fascinating place where buzzards soar in clear blue skies and you can go back in time ...

This corner of Monmouthshire is ideally suited as a base for activities ranging from walking, cycling, pony trekking and touring by car to visiting castles and market towns. For the energetic there are mountains to climb (Sugar Loaf, Blorenge, Skirrid, Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons) and deep caves to explore (Llangynidr). The area is also popular with hang gliders, fishermen, golfers, sailors and canoeists as there are numerous facilities within a 15-mile radius of Llangattock Lingoed. As well as reservoirs, rivers, brooks and streams to enjoy, this part of Wales is also home to the Monmouthshire-Brecon Canal, which meanders through beautiful scenery.

These pages, which aim to whet your appetite for finding out more about our heritage, history and hospitality, are brought to you by a local charity: The Village Alive Trust/Ymddiriedolaeth Pentre' Byw. In the past three years the Trust has completed restoration of three buildings previously on the 'At Risk' register: the Cider House, Llangattock Lingoed, the Well House, New Inn, Cross Ash and another Well House at Cross Ash.  The Cider House can be seen on Open Days (see Events);  the well houses can be seen anytime. The Trust has also undertaken conservation work at the site of Llanfair Grange, Llanfair Cilgoed, and the Traveller's Seat Stone near Skenfrith. The Trust is also undertaking urgent conservation work on the barn at Great Trerhew Farm, Llanvetherine and is exploring the issue of funding for its restoration. Short trails - three so far - have been planned using public footpaths to link some of these projects. Leaflets can be downloaded here.

The Trust continues to collect and preserve oral histories, as part of a more general concern with preserving rural culture and history. Most present urban dwellers have rural roots. Through its website the Trust helps people to trace ancestors who lived in this area and encourages them to visit. By supporting the study of local history it helps provide a context for family histories and helps visitors to appreciate the area. The Trust is undertaking a major project to record memories of rural life in the mid-20th century.