When the temperature climbs, there’s nothing better than being near water, and staying at Hatterrall puts you right in the middle of some of the best of it. From wild swimming spots you can walk to, to paddleboarding, canoeing and canal boat trips, here are our favourite ways to cool off this summer.
A Dip in the River Monnow at Clodock
Just a short walk down the lane from Hatterrall, the River Monnow at Clodock is one of our favourite spots for a summer dip. It’s peaceful, shaded by trees along the bank, and exactly the kind of place you stumble on and then keep coming back to. Bring a towel, take your time, and afterwards head to the Cornewall Arms for a well-earned drink. It’s a proper village pub, the sort of place that makes an afternoon feel complete.
Paddleboarding in Ross-on-Wye
If you fancy something a little more active, Ross-on-Wye is around 30 minutes away and has some lovely stretches of the River Wye for paddleboarding. Paddleboarding Adventures run sessions there, whether you’re a complete beginner or just want to get out on the water for a few hours. The river through Ross is calm and scenic, with the town itself worth a wander afterwards.
Canoeing on the Wye from Whitney-on-Wye
For a longer day out, canoeing from Whitney-on-Wye is hard to beat. Both Wye Valley Canoes and Want to Canoe? run trips from here, taking you down one of the most beautiful stretches of the Wye Valley. Herons, kingfishers and the occasional otter aren’t unusual sightings, and it’s a great way to see the countryside from a completely different angle.
A Canal Walk in Abergavenny, and a Day Out at Goytre Wharf
Closer to town, the canal walk in Abergavenny is a gentle, easy way to spend an hour or two by the water, especially if you want something less strenuous. A little further along, Goytre Wharf is one of our favourite spots on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. It’s a pretty little marina where you can hire a canal boat for the day and cruise along at your own pace, stopping off at one of the canalside pubs for lunch along the way. See Brecon Park Boats for canal boat hire. You could also hire an e-bike during your stay from Drover Cycles, and cycle along the towpath from Abergavenny to Brecon (22 miles).
Waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons
For something a bit more dramatic, the Four Falls Trail in the Brecon Beacons takes you past a series of waterfalls, including Sgwd yr Eira, where you can actually walk behind the falling water. It’s a proper walk rather than a stroll, but the scenery makes it worth every step, and it’s a good way to cool down on a hot day even without getting in the water.
Boating on Llangorse Lake
Finally, Llangorse Lake, also in the Brecon Beacons, is worth the drive. It’s the largest natural lake in South Wales and a lovely spot for a slower afternoon, whether you fancy hiring a boat, kayak, canoe, pedalo or paddle board, or just sitting by the water with an ice cream and the hills as a backdrop. See Llangorse Lake Boat Hire.
Wherever you end up, staying at Hatterrall means all of this is within easy reach. Pack a picnic, grab your towels, and make the most of the water this summer.
