Usk Valley Walk and the Canal, from Talybont-on-Usk

We take a brief section of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal back past the village, then turn across the White Hart bridge and the old railway track bridge to reach the Vaughan Garden, a tribute to the herbal remedies created by the poet Henry Vaughan in the 17th century. From there we follow a short section of the Taff Trail before following the level hillside to reach St Meugan’s Church at Llanfeugan, with it’s 700 years of history and a fine barrel roof. Downhill we reach Pencelli and the canal, which is another section of the Taff Trail. Resisting the Royal Oak attractions we follow the canal back to Talybont-on-Usk. Along the way there are views of the protected osprey nest which is currently occupied by a young pair not yet breeding, and red kites and buzzards can be seen and heard soaring above the canal. We also pass three impressive canal drawbridges of modern hydraulic design before reaching the fourth one at Talybont itself. A choice of pubs with gardens then await to refresh the weary walkers!