Usk Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of the Monmouthshire countryside, the charming town of Usk is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered in the heart of Wales. With its rich history, natural beauty, and warm Welsh hospitality, Usk offers a truly unique experience for travelers seeking an authentic taste of the United Kingdom.

Stepping into Usk is like stepping back in time. The town's historic center is a delightful maze of cobbled streets, lined with quaint cafes, boutique shops, and traditional Welsh pubs. As you wander through the town, you'll be captivated by the well-preserved medieval buildings, each with its own fascinating story to tell. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the iconic Usk Castle, a towering fortress that dates back to the 12th century. Climb its ancient walls and immerse yourself in the history that permeates the air.

For nature enthusiasts, Usk offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The town is surrounded by breathtaking countryside, with rolling hills, meandering rivers, and picturesque walking trails. Take a leisurely stroll along the banks of the River Usk, or venture further afield to explore the enchanting Usk Valley. Here, you can indulge in outdoor activities such as fishing, horse riding, and even hot air ballooning, all while enjoying the stunning vistas that Wales is famous for.

Usk is also a haven for foodies, with a vibrant culinary scene that showcases the best of Welsh cuisine. Sample traditional dishes such as cawl (a hearty stew), Welsh rarebit (a delicious cheese toastie), and bara brith (a fruity tea loaf). The town is also home to a number of award-winning restaurants and gastropubs, where you can savor innovative dishes prepared using locally sourced ingredients.

Throughout the year, Usk comes alive with a variety of festivals and events that celebrate its rich cultural heritage. From the Usk Show, a traditional agricultural fair, to the Usk Open Gardens Weekend, where locals open up their beautiful gardens to the public, there's always something happening in this vibrant town.

Alternative names: Population: 2.8 thous.Elevation: 59 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 51°42'9"N, 2°54'12"W

Location

WalesUnited Kingdom

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Usk Top Attractions

Usk Attractions - What to See and Explore

Usk offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Usk Castle, Usk Bridge, Church of St Madoc, Allt-y-Bela. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Forts and castles
Usk Castle
Usk Castle is a castle site in the town of Usk in central Monmouthshire, south east Wales, United Kingdom. It is a Grade I listed building as of 16 February 1953.
Bridge
Usk Bridge
The Usk Bridge, Usk, Monmouthshire, carries the A472 over the River Usk. It is the town's oldest crossing of the river and is a Grade II* listed structure.
Church
Church of St Madoc
The Church of St Madoc, Llanbadoc, Monmouthshire is a parish church with its origins in the 14th century. A Grade II* listed building, the church remains an active parish church.

51°42'3"N • 2°51'13"W
Allt-y-Bela
Allt-y-Bela in Llangwm, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a house of late medieval origin with additions from the sixteenth to the twenty-first centuries. During the early seventeenth century, it was owned by Roger Edwards, a wealthy Midlands merchant and the founder of Usk Grammar School.
Church
Priory Church of St Mary
The Priory Church of St Mary is the parish church of Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales. Its origin was as the church of Usk Priory, a Benedictine nunnery founded by Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke in the twelfth century. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries the church became the parish church of the town.
Restaurant • Bridge
New Bridge
New Bridge crosses the River Usk at Newbridge-on-Usk between Usk and Caerleon. The bridge carries the B4236. It was constructed in 1779, probably by William Edwards, a prominent civil engineer of Pontypridd, or by a member of his bridge-building dynasty. The bridge has Grade II* listed building status.
Memorial • Vernacular architecture
Priory Gatehouse
The Priory Gatehouse in Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a surviving fragment of a Benedictine priory founded around 1135 and dissolved in 1536. It stands beside the main entrance to the churchyard. It is a Grade I listed building.
51°42'15"N • 2°54'20"W
Porth-y-carn
Porth-y-carn, Porthycarne Street, Usk, Monmouthshire is an early 19th-century Neoclassical villa. Built c. 1834 for Thomas Reece, the agent of the "iron king", Crawshay Bailey, it is a Grade II* listed building.
51°42'0"N • 2°54'4"W
Sessions House
The Sessions House at Usk, Wales, is a Victorian courthouse by Thomas Henry Wyatt of 1877. The building was opened by Samuel Richard Bosanquet, of Dingestow Court, then Chairman of the Monmouthshire Quarter Sessions.
51°42'5"N • 2°54'19"W
Olde Malsters
Olde Malsters, 11 New Market Street, Usk, Monmouthshire is a remnant of a large house of late medieval origins. The existing building comprises the cross-wing and a passage from the original townhouse. It is a Grade II* listed building.
51°42'2"N • 2°54'18"W
Ynys Hafod
Ynys Hafod, Henllys and Min Yr Afon, New Market Street, Usk, Monmouthshire, are three houses forming a continuous range in the centre of the town. Each house is a Grade II* listed building.
51°42'8"N • 2°54'21"W
30 Bridge Street
30 Bridge Street, Usk, Monmouthshire, is a building dating from the very early 15th century. In the 17th century the structure was used as a gaol and the Catholic martyr David Lewis was imprisoned there in 1678.
51°42'1"N • 2°54'12"W
27 Old Market Street
27 Old Market Street, Usk, Monmouthshire, forms part of a range of terraced houses which were originally the Great House of Roger Williams, High Sheriff of Monmouthshire in the mid-16th century. It is a Grade II* listed building.

Day trips

Usk – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Usk, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Queen Street (Cardiff), M Shed (Bristol), Bristol Museum & Art Gallery (Bristol).

19 milesSW
Street, Shopping district, Shopping
Queen Street, Cardiff
Nestled in the vibrant city of Cardiff, Queen Street stands as a bustling shopping district that beckons locals and tourists alike with its wide array of retail offerings. This pedestrianized thoroughfare is one of the main commercial hubs in the capital of Wales...
22 milesSE
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
M Shed, Bristol
M Shed is a vibrant museum nestled in the heart of Bristol, United Kingdom, that celebrates the city's rich and diverse history. Located on the historic dockside, M Shed provides a gateway to explore the social, industrial, and maritime heritage of Bristol and its...
21 milesSE
Museum, Art museum, History museum
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Bristol
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, nestled in the heart of the vibrant city of Bristol in the United Kingdom, is a cultural treasure trove that beckons visitors from near and far. This esteemed institution, which houses an eclectic collection spanning natural history, art...
19 milesSW
Art and Welsh history in a grand setting
National Museum Cardiff, Cardiff
National Museum Cardiff stands as a cultural beacon in the heart of Wales' capital city, offering a rich blend of art, history, and natural science. This esteemed institution, located in the civic centre of Cardiff, is known for its diverse collections that span across...
22 milesSE
Museum, Art museum, Art gallery
Arnolfini, Bristol
Nestled in the heart of Bristol's harbourside, the Arnolfini is a contemporary arts centre and museum that stands as a cultural beacon in the United Kingdom. Named after Jan van Eyck's famous painting "The Arnolfini Portrait," this iconic building has been an epicentre...