Saint Briavels Travel Guide

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St Briavels Castle was originally built between 1075 and 1129 as a royal administrative centre for the Forest of Dean. During the 13th century the Castle was used as a hunting Lodge by King John when he visited the area. The castle was transferred many times between royal favourites in the 14th and 15th centuries and slowly declined in appearance and importance. St Briavels Castle became used primarily as a court and debtors' prison and from 1948 it became a thriving Youth Hostel.

The Castle is owned by English Heritage. The Courtyard and grounds are open to the public, admission is free. There are some great information boards at the entrance to the Castle and the moat area. The YHA run guided tours at specific times during the year and also hold 'fright nights' if you would like to encounter the Ghosts of St Briavel. (See website on Youth Hostel tip for details).

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The George Inn is an attractive pub set in the Heart of the Picturesque village of St Briavel. We called in here after having a walk around the Castle. It has a warm interior with dark oak beams, great stone fireplaces and stained glass windows. We had planned to eat here and I'm very glad we did, the food was delicious. From an extensive menu, I chose pie of the day (steak and mushroom) with new potatoes and fresh vegetables and Gareth had Lasagne which came with salad and chips. I must admit it was the tastiest pie I have had in a long time and the vegetables were delicious. Gareth's Lasagne went down a treat too - both of us were very happy with our meals and would definitely go there again to sample some more delights.

Favorite Dish: Pie of the day was lovely.

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Favorite thing: Start: Monmouth.
1. Cross Wye Bridge and keep ahead where the A466 branches right. Cross with care where the A4136 swings left and uphill by the Mayhill Hotel. Follow a railed path uphill to reach a road. Continue uphill to a bend, then leave the road along a path, signposted Beaulieu Wood. Follow waymarks to the summit of The Kymin. Go right, keeping left of the Round House, and continue down a drive to go left through a kissing gate. Follow a path through open fields, and then go down a rough lane to a road at Upper Redbrook. Go down right, then cross over, just before an incline bridge, to follow a lane to reach the A466 at Lower Redbrook (6km).
2. Go left, then turn left before the Bell Inn. Climb steps, then follow waymarks to highbury Farm, where a right turn leads to the entrance to Highbury Wood. Follow the earthwork of Offa'd Dyke to reach a road at OS 543055. Turn right, to reach the A466 at Bigsweir Bridge. [A footpath from this road leads the 2.4 km to St. Briavels] (5.2 km)
3. The River Route. Go left over a stile, just before the traffic lights at Bigsweir Bridge. The path followd the river bank closely, and is well waymarked. At Brockweir, turn off right, just past the inn, then turn right down a surfaced lane. At the stables, turn sharp left and go uphill to the large signpost described above (5.6 km).
4. From the large signpost, bear uphill and follow waymarks to enter Caswell Wood. Follow fine sections of Offa's Dyke, passing the Devil's Pulpit, and continue to the B4228 at OS 553977 (4.8 km).
5. Go right for .5 km, then go left over a stile and follow waymarks to regain the B4228 at OS 545966. Go left along the road for .5kms, then cross over at some houses. The viewpoint of Wintour's Leap is on the right. Follow a path going off right behind the houses to reach the B4228. Turn right along the road, with care, for 45 metres, then go right and follow waymarks to pass the distinctive Twtshill Tower to reach a road. (4 kms).
6. Turn right and go down to cross a road. Continue downa surfaced lane between walls, then at a junction turn left up a steep path. Fork right down a narrower path to reacha drive where a right turn leads to a road. Turn right, and cross the railway and the Chepstow bypass.In 72 metres fo right into the Wyebank Avenue, then turn left at the first side road, adna few yards further on, go right down a narrow fenced path. Follow waymarks, passing a sewage works, to continue through the housing of Pennsylvania Village, and on across a field to reach Buttington Tump and the Sedbury-Beachley road. Cross the road with care, and go up the lane opposite for about 13 metres, then go right over a stile and follow the path to reach the Offa's Dyke Stone. By following a oath fown right from here, to the foreshore, a path leading inland can be followed back to the road (4kms).