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Tintern Abbey Walk

5.90 miles (9.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Visit the fascinating ruins of this 12th century monastery and then explore the surrounding area on this walk on the England-Wales border. This route makes use of the Wye Valley Walk and Offa's Dyke Path to visit local woodlands, countryside and viewpoints. It's a beautiful area with the atmospheric ruins and the river flanked by the attractive woodland of the Forest of Dean.
The walk starts at the abbey car park and heads west along the river to the pretty village of Brockweir. Here you cross the river and head through Caswell Woods where you will find a variety of interesting flora and fauna. The path then climbs to the Devil's Pulpit where you can enjoy fabulous views back towards the abbey and over the Wye Valley. More woodland trails then take you back to the village and the car park.
It's a great area for wildlife spotting with heron, kingfisher, otter to look out for on the river. Also look out for Kestrels around the limestone rocks in Caswell Wood.
To extend your walking you can head into Lower Hale Wood just to the west of the abbey. If you follow the Wye Valley Way north it will take you to Llandogo through Bargain Wood. Here you can enjoy a visit to the picturesque Cleddon Falls on the River Cleddon.
Heading south takes you to Chepstow via Wyndcliffe Wood and the splendid Eagle's Nest viewpoint.

Postcode

NP16 6SE - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Tintern Abbey OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Tintern Abbey Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Head into the village and you could visit The Anchor for some post walk refreshment. They have a fine menu and great views towards the ancient monument from their lovely garden area. You can find them at Chapel Hill at postcode NP16 6TE for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

Dogs on leads are allowed at the abbey. The anchor mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just north east of Tintern you could visit the interesting village of St Briavels. Here you will find the historic St Briavels Castle which dates back to the 12th century and is open to the public under the care of English Heritage. The village can be accessed by crossing the Bigsweir Bridge over the Wye from Llandogo in Wales to St Briavels in England on the other side.
The circular Brockweir Walk visits the station and the abbey from the nearby village. It then goes on to climb to the Devil's Pulpit.
The Wye Valley Greenway runs to the abbey from nearby Sedbury. The shared cycling and walking trail follows a disused railway line, notably passing through the murky Tidenham Tunnel on the way.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Wye Valley Walks page.

Photos

Tintern Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 470154

View of Tintern Abbey from car park.

Tintern Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 1945016

Interior shot

Old mill wheel at Abbey Mill, Tintern - geograph.org.uk - 703330

Old mill wheel at Abbey Mill, Tintern village. This once turned using the power of the Angiddy stream/brook/river (depending on source). The mill was a corn mill, a woollen mill and also a sawmill. Now the various buildings have been restored to form a small shopping/dining complex.

The Anchor, Tintern - geograph.org.uk - 703326

The Anchor, in the village. This was used by the monks of Tintern Abbey as a cider mill. The mill can still be seen in the bar. There was once a ferry crossing near by.

River bank grazing at Tintern - geograph.org.uk - 703315

River bank grazing at the village. Taken from the end of the old bridge over the River Wye, looking northwest.

River Wye as it passes Tintern Abbey

River Wye as it passes the abbey

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Tintern Abbey.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Tintern Abbey.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)