Latest Competition:
Win a fantastic 2 night break for 2 at the West Usk Lighthouse, Newport, Gwent
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The West Usk Lighthouse is a cosy bed and breakfast situated near the City of Newport, Gwent, at the junction of the Severn and the Usk Estuaries, overlooking the Bristol Channel.
It is quirky and comfortable rather than luxurious. Built in 1821, it was designed by James Walker, a Scottish architect and is unique among lighthouses. All accommodation is within, rooms are wedge-shaped; the stone spiral staircase in the centre is found above a collecting well, now a wishing well! The entrance hall is slate bedded and we have a Dalek at the bottom of the stairs!.
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It is perhaps the strangest house around, found at the end of a very long stony and bumpy track - it is an unusual example of its kind, built to a unique design: not tall as most lighthouses are, and considerably bigger in circumference.
In 1821, it was on an island where the Severn and Usk run into the sea, with views far out into the Bristol Channel. Since then, land has been reclaimed and although on one side the loudest sound is of the sea, when the tide (second fastest in the world) comes racing in to the foot of the building, and on the other side, only the occasional mooing cow can be heard.
The West Usk Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1922, and became a private house shortly afterwards but soon fell into dis-repair and became derelict.. We bought the West Usk in 1987. It took 2 years of hard work to make it habitable.
To win this fabulous prize please answer the following: -
Question: Which National Park is within an easy drive of the Usk Valley? is it... |
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