Coach & Horses, Abergavenny

Near the bus station this popular family-run pub is a genuine claimant to be the oldest in town being located by the site of an old town gate. It started out as a 13th century cottage in the estate of Abergavenny Castle before becoming the Sun Inn during the 15th century. A glance at the irregular external contours of this listed building gives a clue to its medaeval origins. During its time as part of the Gunter Mansion it unsuccessfully hid the last Catholic priest to be burnt at the stake in Britain. The interior once comprised three rooms but was opened out many years ago to provide today's open plan bar with a separate pool room on a lower level. Note the great oak beams with smaller transverse beams, from where above the bar counter hang a number of old Whitbread Tankards, a clue to its former ownership. The large fireplace was rescued from a demolished Tudor house and provides an apt focal point. A quiet rear garden belies the pub's town centre position. Wadworth Horizon has displaced 6X which was the best seller for years.