Tintern Abbey
It's easy to understand why Tintern Abbey was one of the first places in Wales to attract Visitors.
Travellers have been flocking to this riverbank in the wooded Wye Valley for hundreds of years to admire Tintern's grace and sublime beauty.
The appeal of this exceptional religious house remains as enduring as ever, the best preserved medieval abbey in Wales.
Founded for Cistercian monks in 1131, Tintern was largely rebuilt in the late 13th Century by the lord of nearby Chepstow Castle, Roger Bigod.
It encompasses grand design and architectural detail of great finesse.
The shell of the abbey stands open to the skies almost to its full height, an outstanding example of the elaborate "decorated" style of Gothic architecture.
Visitors are invariably captivated by the enormous windows with their delicate tracery, and the wealth of decorated detail on show in the doorways, walls, and soaring archways.
This extensive site also gives a fascinating insight into the monastic way of life in medieval times. Tintern stirs the soul.
Wordsworth was inspired by his visit to write his famous poem, "Composed a few Miles above Tintern Abbey".
Tintern's true character though, can perhaps never be captured in words.
As the Cistercian Father, Bernard of Clairvaux wrote, "You will find among the woods something you never found in books."
General Information:
- Parking
- Toilets
- Shop
- Site exhibition
- Guide dogs only allowed
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Directions |
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From Cardiff M4 J23, M48 J2, A466. From London M4 J21 to M48. |
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Tintern Abbey Postcode for SatNav: NP16 6SE
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Days Out near Tintern Abbey
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Chepstow Museum (4 Miles)*
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Chepstow Castle (4 Miles)*
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Lydney Park Gardens (5 Miles)*
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Clearwell Caves Ancient Iron Mines (6 Miles)*
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Great Western Railway Museum (Coleford) (7 Miles)*
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Caldicot Castle & Country Park (8 Miles)*
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Nelson Museum & Local History Centre (8 Miles)*
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Raglan Castle (9 Miles)*
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Edward Jenner Museum (9 Miles)*
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Berkeley Castle (9 Miles)*
Places to Visit near Tintern Abbey
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Chepstow (4 Miles)*
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Lydney (6 Miles)*
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Coleford (7 Miles)*
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Cinderford (11 Miles)*
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Arlingham (12 Miles)*
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Westbury-on-Severn (13 Miles)*
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Cwmbran (15 Miles)*
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Ross-on-wye (15 Miles)*
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Newport (Gwent) (15 Miles)*
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Staple Hill (16 Miles)*
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