Visiting The Kymin

A small group of visitors is standing in front of the white, two-storey, circular, castellated Georgian banqueting house at The Kymin, Monmouthshire, at sunset. — Visitors in front of the Round Tower at The Kymin | © National Trust Images/John Millar

You can enjoy spectacular views, picturesque pleasure grounds, a Georgian temple and a beautiful woodland walk, all of which conspire to make The Kymin, near Monmouth, a wonderful place to while away a few hours.

Picnicking paradise at The Kymin

The Kymin was both inspired by and created for picnics more than 200 years ago when a group of local gentlemen formed a picnic club and visited The Kymin every Tuesday. This led to the building of the Round House, and the pleasure grounds soon followed.

Today, the Kymin is the perfect picnic spot to lay a blanket and take in the view.

A family is sitting on a blanket and having a picnic at The Kymin, Monmouthshire. A child is reaching out to accept some food from another family member. — A family having a picnic at The Kymin | © National Trust Images/John Millar

The Naval Temple

The Naval Temple was built by public subscription in 1800 to commemorate 16 of Britain’s most famous admirals and their naval victories in the Seven Years War and the war against revolutionary France.

It was dedicated to the Duchess of Beaufort, daughter of Admiral Boscawen and one of the admirals commemorated on the Naval Temple.

Neo-classical design

The neo-classical H-shaped temple was finished in 1801 and is topped with a triumphal arch supporting the figure of Britannia seated on a rock. Beneath the arch there are two paintings to see: ‘The Standard of Great Britain waving triumphant over the fallen and captive flags of France, Spain and Holland’ and ‘The Glorious and Ever Memorable Battle of the Nile’.

Grade II listed building

The Naval Temple has undergone many changes since its inception, including three restorations, the last two by the National Trust in 1987, and again in 2012 because of severe weather damage.

Today, this unusual Grade II listed building has been preserved for future generations and continues to stand as a testament to Great Britain’s past naval accomplishments.

A family of five is playing croquet on a well-kept lawn at The Kymin, Monmouthshire, with the Round House visible through the trees and up a hill in the background. — A family playing croquet at The Kymin | © National Trust Images/John Millar

The great outdoors at The Kymin

The Kymin is a special place for many reasons, not least for the far-reaching views. Indeed, this was one of the reasons the gentlemen of the Kymin Picnic Club favoured this spot and decided to build the Round House on the 800 ft summit.

Panoramic views

On a clear day you can enjoy panoramic views down the Wye Valley, up into the Brecon Beacons and across to the Malvern Hills. See if you can spot Pen-y-Fan, southern Britain’s highest mountain.

A visit to Beaulieu Woods

The views of this wonderful landscape make an ideal start and end point for a relaxing and tranquil wander around Beaulieu Woods, which are part of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Though the Round House has recently been converted to Holiday Cottages, the grounds are still open and accessible to visitors.