Forming the border between England and Wales for much of its length, the Monnow starts life in the hills around Hay Bluff, flowing for approximately 26 miles in a general southerly direction before entering the Wye at Monmouth.

Named in Welsh Myn-wy – literally “by the Wye”, it is the first major tributary of the Wye and was historically known as “one of the very best trout streams in south Britain” (The Field 1904).  To attempt to reverse the degradation brought about by a lack of riparian management, historically undertaken in the normal course of traditional farming practices, the upper reaches of the Monnow and its tributaries, Olchon, Escley and Dore have recently benefited from a £1.4m project to improve the habitat for wild brown trout. The work was undertaken by the River Monnow Project and won the Wild Trout Trust’s prestigious conservation award for 2006.  Grayling are also present in many of the middle and lower reaches.

The Beats

Upper Longtown

Lower Longtown