Silver Springs Farm

History buffs will want to start explores in Monmouth with a poke around the castle and military museum, before broadening the area of research... Crenellation connoisseurs have Raglan Castle, Usk Castle ruins and Goodrich Castle ruins within 25 minutes’ drive, the Coleford Great Western Railway Museum is half an hour away for locomotive anoraks, and monastery mavens have the stunning Tintern Abbey to turn to within 30 minutes. Time in the outdoors is a cinch round here too. As if Wye Valley, Brecon Beacons and oodles of walking trails weren’t enough, the Cyril Hart Arboretum, Dewstow Gardens and the famed Forest of Dean are all within about half an hour of base for extended wanders in the fresh air – plus the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo is 20 minutes way for a bit of a cheat (outdoor vibes, but inside). More daring types might want to don helmets and head lamps instead to explore the extensive Clearwell Caves underneath the Forest of Dean, or take their life in their hands (metaphorically speaking) with a session or two of laser tag 20 minutes from the site. For a more sedate way to spend the hols, opt for a round of miniature golf in Symonds Yat or try the real thing at the golf course 10 minutes from home base, then wash down successful afternoons on the links with a stop at Ancre Hill Estates for tours and wine tastings.