In 1131, Cistercian monks founded Tintern Abbey; the abbey church, built later, became a masterpiece of British Gothic architecture. In Monmouthshire, these examples of sacred architecture stand alongside Norman fortresses, medieval bridges and trails through woodland and rolling hills. The historic sites and varied routes each offer a different way to experience the region.
Abbeys, Castles and Medieval Architecture
Construction of Chepstow Castle began in 1067 under Earl William fitz Osbern, a close friend of William the Conqueror. The castle is one of the earliest Norman fortresses in Wales. Raglan Castle tells a different story: under various Earls of Worcester, it was transformed into a grand country residence, with a formal gallery and Renaissance garden.
Llanthony Priory is a roughly 900-year-old ruin and one of Wales’s significant medieval buildings. In Monmouth, Monnow Gate and Bridge is the only surviving medieval fortified river bridge in Britain with its gate tower still standing. Usk's Rural Life Museum also has a historic setting: it is housed in a 16th-century malt house.
Walking Trails with Different Profiles
The three walking routes mentioned vary in length, course and scenery. The Monmouthshire section of the Wales Coast Path runs for 14 miles from Chepstow to Magor. It is mostly flat, apart from a few steeper sections in Chepstow. The Monmouthshire section of the Wye Valley Walk is about 17 miles long and runs almost entirely along paths through woodland. The Three Castles Walk, meanwhile, is a 19-mile circular route linking the medieval castles of Grosmont, Skenfrith and White Castle.
This gives you a choice between a mostly flat route section, longer stretches through woodland and a circular tour of three castles. The Offa's Dyke National Trail runs through the borderlands of Wales. In Monmouthshire, it offers views across the Wye Valley from Chepstow and Tintern to Monmouth, across the rolling countryside to Abergavenny and towards the Black Mountains.
Shared Trails and Activities on the Water
The Wye Valley Greenway is a shared trail for cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users. It connects Wyedean School, Sedbury and Chepstow with the picturesque village of Tintern and passes through the 1 km-long Tidenham Tunnel. Dirt Farm Wales offers a different cycling focus: it is a centre primarily dedicated to downhill and freeride mountain biking.
The Greenway’s tunnel section is closed at night because bats live there, and from 1 October to 31 March. Check seasonal access information before your visit. At Llandegfedd Lake near Usk, activities on offer include windsurfing, dinghy sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and open-water swimming. Guided canoe or kayak trips along the tidal section of the River Wye pass Tintern Abbey and Chepstow Castle.
Wetlands, Canal and Night Skies
The Gwent Levels in southern Monmouthshire are a lowland area of land reclaimed from the sea as far back as Roman times. The area contains eight ecologically significant Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Magor Marsh is the last relatively natural wetland and fen area on the Gwent Levels. Another nature and trail highlight is the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal: it provides a habitat for diverse wildlife and a long-distance route for walkers and cyclists. Night skies are another natural attraction; Monmouthshire has five official Dark Sky Discovery Sites.
Food Culture and Getting Here
The Abergavenny Food Festival takes place each year over a weekend in September; the exact dates vary from year to year. The festival includes hands-on food workshops, and the programme may vary with each edition. At The Abergavenny Baker, participants mix two or three doughs by hand in practical classes and bake four or five different breads.
For long-distance train travel, stations are available at Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow and Abergavenny. Two distances are also provided to help you find Tintern Abbey: it is 300 metres from bus route 69 between Chepstow and Monmouth, and 250 metres from regional NCN Route 32.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Gilwern, Usk, Monmouth, Caerwent, Chepstow, Abergavenny, Llangybi, Raglan, Llangattock-Vibon-Avel, Caldicot, Skenfrith, Magor, Llandogo, Llanishen, Mamhilad, Govilon, Llanarth, Llandenny, Portskewett, Penrhos, Penperlleni.
For the main travel overview: Wales.
