Kymin Round House

The Kymin Round House is a small, castellated Georgian building, with windows looking out in all directions across the Wye Valley. It’s at the top of a hill, the Kymin, surrounded by woods and parkland, and a stone’s throw from the Naval Temple, a monument to the British Navy.

On the ground floor you’ll find the hall, living and dining room and a small kitchen. The bedroom and bathroom are upstairs. It is decorated in classic Georgian style with original features such as the ornamental fireplaces. The Round House opens directly onto grassy pleasure grounds and viewing points which are open to the public.

From the Round House you can walk through ancient woodland to find paths and seating areas, and you have Offa’s Dyke on your doorstep. Tawny owls, badgers and pipistrelle and soprano bats all live here. Scots Pine trees are home to the country’s rarest ant, the red wood ant, and you might spot wild boar from the neighbouring Forest of Dean as well as soaring buzzards and peregrine falcons. The views reach to Sugar Loaf Mountain and on a clear day you may see as far as Pen y Fan, the highest point of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).

The Round House was built by a group of local gentlemen in 1794. Their picnic club met on this spot each week and enjoyed it so much that they wanted a place to continue picnicking in all weathers. The building originally featured a downstairs kitchen and upstairs banqueting room; stables and a bowling green were added later. The stables are now a National Trust holiday cottage for four people, and the bowling green is still a great spot for outdoor games. The Naval Temple was built in 1800 by the same picnic club, to commemorate great naval victories including the 1798 Battle of the Nile. Fittingly, Nelson visited the Kymin in 1802 and dined in the banqueting hall of the Round House.

Beyond the Kymin, you will find walking trails close by and the National Cycle Path two miles away. The county town of Monmouth is a 10-minute drive.