Abergavenny

Town in Monmouthshire, south Wales, at the confluence of the Usk and Gavenny rivers; population (2001) 14,100. It is overlooked by Mynydd Pen-y-fal (596 m/1,955 ft), the ‘Sugar Loaf’ mountain. Abergavenny is a market town and a shopping centre for a large agricultural area. Tourism is a growing industry.

Abergavenny is located between the Wye Valley, an area of outstanding beauty, and the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The town was a Roman settlement (Gobannium), which was occupied by the Romans between AD57 and AD400. There are also remains of a Norman castle (built in 1087), and of a Benedictine priory. St. Mary's Priory Church is currently being refurbished and restored. Tanning and weaving flourished in the town in the 16th and 17th centuries. During the second half of the 19th century, the town prospered with coming of the railways. A large cattle market is held here on Tuesdays.