Most 'special' café in Wales is not what it seems from the outside but sits surrounded by beautiful landscapes
A perfect parcel of peace surrounded by one of Wales' most beautiful landscapes was worth the effort
All aboard for tea, sandwiches, cake and unique surroundings - well worth the trip for me
(Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline)
How far would you go to enjoy a proper brew poured from a teapot, a yummy slice of cake and handmade sandwich, surrounded by one of Wales' most famous and beautiful landscapes? For me travelling 35 miles into Monmouthshire is not an issue to visit, in my view, one of the most special cafés in Wales.
Granted, I haven't been to every café in Wales but being a self-confessed tea addict, I have enjoyed a brew at many over the years, and there's one that I am happy to keep travelling back to, not just for the light lunch but for the relaxed vibe and chance to enjoy exploring the surrounding area too.
I am not a train enthusiast at all, but there's something truly magical about visiting a café that used to be part of a busy trainline that, when it was in operation, must surely have been one of the most breathtaking train rides through the Welsh countryside. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.
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The Old Station, Tintern used to serve train passengers but now it serves food and drink
(Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline)
Drive through the history-packed village of Tintern on a road that for most of its journey meanders along next to the River Wye, and after about five minutes you get to a sign that says Tintern Station. It's not the place to catch the 5.30pm to Cardiff Central but a wonderful step-back in time to another world - accompanied by tea and cake too, of course.
The 10 acre riverside meadow site is cocooned in Wye Valley views and wooded hillsides that immerse you in the landscape and instantly assist in making you feel relaxed, away from the busy, urban world and wrapped in nature as well as industrial heritage.
The inside of The Old Station has a cosy seating area if the weather stops alfresco dining
(Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline)
The station and platform are still in existence and are utterly charming, it's not too hard to imagine a steam train trundling along a track and screeching to a slow and deliberate stop to pick up waiting passengers.
Inside the station is the café but there are still period features to find and admire including the exposed roof beams that are a prominent part of the structure and even a few passenger signs.
The vibe inside The Old Station is relaxed
(Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline)
Outside, if the weather allows, there are picnic tables with umbrellas where you can admire the station but also the adjacent and substantial signal box which, along with the remains of train track levers and overhead signals further along the disused line.
Sitting at a picnic table with a face full of tuna sandwich and then victoria sponge, the backdrop that surrounds you is mesmerising, the soundscape is birdsong and the ambience is chilled, helped by a gentle and refreshing breeze that joined us on the day we visited.
The outside seating area is very popular and offers some lovely views of the wooded valley and former train journey through it
(Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline)
According to website Wye Valley Railway, Tintern was one of four stations on the Wye Valley Railway Line, which opened in 1876 linking Chepstow to Monmouth.
The line was almost 15 miles long but it lost large sums of money and was closed to passengers in 1959 and to freight in 1964.
There might not be the chance to experience a ride on a massive and impressive steam train but one delightful addition to the site is a short ride down one edge of the site on a miniature railway, complete with train whistle.
All aboard - the train line might be long gone but you can still have a mini adventure on the miniature train
(Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline)
The train is running Tuesday - Friday between 11:00 - 12:00, including accessible carriage, and on weekends between 11:00am - 12:00 and 1:00 - 3:00pm weather permitted. The site has toilets within the old station but also a detached accessible toilet with baby changing facilities too.
Sadly, I didn't feel a middle-aged woman without a smaller member of the family as an excuse to ride the miniature rail was appropriate so just enjoyed watching families visiting the site being totally enthralled by the experience - which cost £1.90 each.
The signal box is a prominent part of the site and has housed art exhibitions and can even be hired for small and intimate weddings
(Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline)
The café has a breakfast menu that is available from 10am – 12pm offering freshly cooked bacon, egg and mushroom sandwiches and the lunch menu is in operation from 12pm - 3.30pm offering a variety of freshly prepared sandwiches, toasties and jacket potatoes.
There's a selection of cakes and sweet treats from Isabel's Bakehouse and relax with a freshly ground coffee from the Welsh Coffee Co, and of course tea, available at any time.
Plenty of outside space and vintage carriages that house a shop and exhibition
(Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline)
When you arrive, the car park is right next to three vintage train carriages that are instantly enchanting but that's not the café - it's a shop and exhibition space that is free to enter.
The car park is used by people as a base from which to explore this surrounding section of the beautiful Wye Valley, with maybe one of the most popular routes to ramble being a two and half mile pathway that starts from the station and includes both sides of the river.
Visit Monmouthshire website states that it is 'a relatively easy walk in the beautiful Wye Valley with a short steep uphill section and a short downhill section which is rough under foot' but there are many routes to discover so pre-planning is advised if you want to walk or hike the area.
Standing on the platform
(Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline)
If, like me, you're nosy when it comes to homes and property and like to wander as many streets as possible, then walking north to arrive at Brockweir takes in a partly wooded stroll plus some lovely buildings to have a peek at when you get to the end, after cross the Wye into England over a charming bridge.
The great thing about using the station as a base for a walk is that, if you time it right, there's a proper brew and a slice of delicious cake waiting for you at the end of it.
A nod to the past inside The Old Station
(Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline)
According to Visit Wales, the site has held the coveted Green Flag award since 2009 and has won a handful of other awards too, but my personal award is always for the quality of tea and cake, the natural surroundings and the unique nature of the and this was a ten out of ten.
The whole site is free to visit, although there is charge to park which the site states on their website is used for essential maintenance and upgrading, which is currently £2.30 for 3 hours or £4.40 for all day and as the location is an ideal base for exploring this section of the Wye Valley, I think is a reasonable price.
Is it worth getting off at Tintern station? In my view it's a definite yes.
(Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline)
Website Visit Monmouthshire states that the lower car park is locked from 4:30pm and the site is closed on a Monday as it is open for the whole weekend.
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The car park and grounds are open daily 9am - 5pm throughout the year and the tea room, carriages and toilets are open Tuesdays - Sundays 10am - 4pm. However, please check on your day of travel to The Old Station in case these details have since changed.
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Stroll around Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs The Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs have become a popular visitor attraction since its reopening in July 2023. A great place to visit during the summer as they have many water activities on offer including, cold water swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking. There are also beautiful walking paths to keep you dry, a story trail and a popular café on site. 18. Gaming, basketball, and nature Throughout the summer, Cardiff Council runs its "summer with a 'difference' scheme", with varying schedules depending on your location in the city. Offerings include nature clubs where you can plant in community gardens, Cricket Wales camps for kids aged eight to 12, multi-sport sessions with instructors on hand, gaming sessions, and basketball. 19. Reading challenge You can get your children reading this summer (Image: PA) A free activity that will span the entire summer, providing the kids with a great sense of accomplishment, and some new bedtime stories for you! From 5 July to 20 September, children aged 4 to 11 can visit their local library to participate in the Story Garden-themed reading challenge. To join, you need to sign up to your library (for free) and borrow and read six books over the summer holidays. You'll receive fun rewards along the way, and upon completing the challenge, you'll earn a medal and certificate. 20. Heath Park Miniature railway Throughout the summer, miniature trains and trams are available for rides at Heath Park. The Heath Park Miniature Railways and Tramway are nestled in the picturesque Heath Park, close to the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) building. It's an excellent day out for the entire family as it caters to all age groups. There's no need to book in advance to visit the railway. It is £2.80 per person and under threes, go free. 21. Visit the family fun park in Cardiff Bay Entry is free to the fair in Cardiff Bay - though it's advisable to discuss spending limits beforehand - and it's a summer activity that appeals to children of all ages. There are plenty of rides suitable for school-aged children. 22. Catch some Pokemon at PokeCon On Monday, 25 August, between 11am and 5pm, the Red Dragon Centre will host a Pokemon pop-up brimming with merchandise, trading cards, and collectibles. It's an ideal event for fans, collectors, and trainers of all ages. 23. Watch a film at Cineworld and Vue The 10am weekend and school holiday Movies for Juniors showings are £3.99 per person at Cineworld. Article continues below The 10am weekend and school holiday Mighty Mornings showings are just £2.49 per person when booked online or £3.49 on the door, at Vue.
