1. Cross the footbridge over the River Wye, from England to Wales! It’s adjacent to the old railway bridge and can be found off a path at the back of the Redbrook playing fields. The Boat Inn is in front of you.
2. As you look at the River Wye from the Boat, you’ll see a footpath sign guiding you underneath the old railway bridge, to the right, heading downstream. This is the Wye Valley Walk.
3. Shortly after a log cabin set just off the footpath, at multiple choice footpath marker, head away from the Wye Valley Walk now, to make your way ‘inland’ through a gap in the hedge.
4. As you pass through, you’ll see a steep concrete path heading upwards towards a house. Take this, and before the gate to the house, you’ll see an even steeper path+steps climbing the hill to the left.
5. This walk is 50% uphill and 50% downhill, with the steepest uphill section now right in front of you. The route at the top takes you through some dwellings, before joining Lone Lane at a house gate.
6. Follow Lone Lane uphill, all the way up to a crossroads in Penallt village, with options for Monmouth and The Narth. Turn right.
7. A bus stop sign shows this road is serviced by Newport Bus connecting Monmouth and Chepstow, the #65 running a limited service every couple of hours. Note the ‘Inn’ sign, which is the direction we’re heading!
8. At the memorial, bear right towards the Inn. This is the Bush Inn, which has recently been taken over my new tenants. It has limited opening times currently but the tenants hope to expand hours this year. It looks a great spot, so try to coordinate a visit while it’s open.
9. In front of The Bush is the village green. Follow the lane ahead across the green, and onto a gravel track by a farmyard entrance, passing The Bush to your right.
10. We’re heading into an area owned and managed by the Gwent Wildlife Trust, including Pentwyn Farm ahead. Continue on this gravel lane as it curves around to the right (ignoring footpath signs to left).
11. Through a gate marked Wyeswood Common and into a field – Coronation Meadow. Follow the hedge on your right all the way down the meadow, to a gate leading to a track between field hedges. Good views ahead.
12. Follow the signs now into the next meadow to a gate and diagonally left to a boundary fence into the back of the garden of a house. Don’t worry, this is the public footpath, signposted all the way.
13. Across the garden, you drop down onto a lane. Turn right, downhill. At the first houses, take a track downhill next to the entrance to a house called Clearwater Cottage. It’s quite narrow, and evidence of a favourite path for scrambler bikes when I visited.
14. It emerges onto a lane at a multi-lane junction. Cross to take Upper Ferry Road downhill. I spied the road name on a yellow gritter bin!
15. As you descend, look out for the wood carvings on the left in the trees, depicting men working on the creation of a milling wheel. Fabulous.
16. Continue downhill past a junction to your left. Just beyond, look for a sign into the woodland on your right – ‘not suitable for motorcycles’ apparently. Take it.
17. You’ll arrive on the lane that takes you back to the pub.

The best pub walks are meant to be shared.

If you’ve followed this route, found a better path, got lost, uncovered a standout pint somewhere else, or simply have a story to tell, I’d be delighted to hear from you.

This site is as much about shared discoveries as it is about the walks themselves.