Usk sits within the fertile Monmouthshire countryside beside the fast-flowing River Usk. This market town is famous for its floral displays that transform the stone streets into a riot of colour every summer. My top tip is to climb the winding path to Usk Castle. These privately owned ruins offer a vantage point across the valley toward the Black Mountains. In the town centre, the Victorian Sessions House remains an imposing sight. It has heavy oak doors and a grand courtroom. You can walk the riverbank where anglers wait for the salmon run in the clear pools. Independent bookshops and traditional butchers line the square near the clock tower. The local history is etched into the red sandstone of the Priory Church. The town maintains a strong sense of community and local heritage.