On a recent road trip through South Wales en route to the lake of Llyn y Fan Fach, I made a spontaneous stop at Tintern Abbey, it turned out to be a really pleasant break in the drive.
Visiting Tintern Abbey
Tintern Abbey is a really nice spot to stretch your legs and take in a bit of history. The ruins are bigger than I expected. There’s something peaceful about the way the old stone walls sit in the middle of the green valley. You don’t need loads of time, 30 minutes is enough to wander around, take some photos, and enjoy the surroundings.
Tintern Abbey was founded way back in 1131 by Cistercian monks. Even though it’s a ruin now, a lot of the structure is still standing. You can walk through what used to be the church, the cloisters, and some of the living quarters. What makes it even more charming is the setting. It’s tucked into the Wye Valley, with hills all around and the River Wye right next to it.
Why Is Tintern Abbey a Ruin?
You might be wondering why the roof is missing and why the church looks the way it does. Tintern Abbey was shut down in the 1500s during something called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Basically, when King Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church and closed down religious institutions across England and Wales. The monks left, and over time the buildings started to fall into ruin. The roof eventually collapsed, and locals used some of the stone for other buildings. It was never renovated or turned back into a functioning church, but the ruins were later preserved as a historic site.
Learning about British history for my Life in the UK test actually made me appreciate places like Tintern Abbey. I mean, let’s be honest, I probably didn’t need to memorise the exact names and nationalities of all Henry VIII’s wives… but having a bit of context definitely helps make these old ruins feel more real and less like random piles of stone. Knowing a bit about the Dissolution of the Monasteries made visiting Tintern more interesting, it’s not just a pretty ruin, it’s part of a much bigger story.
Useful Info for Your Visit
There’s a car park right next to Tintern Abbey, and yes, you do need to pay for parking (last time I checked, it was about £5 for the day). Cadw manages the site, so you’ll need to pay a small entrance fee unless you’re a member.. You can walk around the outside for free, but it’s worth going in to see the details up close. There’s also a little café nearby if you want a coffee or a snack before getting back on the road.
Official site: https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/tintern-abbey
Adult – £8.55
Opening hours: 9.30am-5pm
