Steam&Slate
The ruins of Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley

Tintern

A ruined abbey in a bend of the river.

Photo: Saffron Blaze / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tintern is barely more than a village strung along the Wye, but it holds the most romantic ruin in Wales: the roofless Cistercian abbey that inspired Wordsworth and Turner. The steep wooded gorge closes in around it, and the whole place is a short, scenic drive from the Severn crossings.

CountyMonmouthshire
Best seasonLate October

Staying near Tintern

The classic Wye Valley base, right on the river beneath the wooded slopes. Small and characterful properties here suit couples and short breaks close to Bristol and the M4.

What's here

Tintern Abbey; the climb to the Devil's Pulpit viewpoint on Offa's Dyke above the abbey; the old railway walk along the river; and canoeing on the Wye.

When to visit

Late October for the gorge in full autumn colour is the standout; spring and summer for the river and walks.

See what's available in Tintern

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Common questions

Can you visit Tintern Abbey?

Yes — Tintern Abbey, a roofless but largely complete Cistercian ruin on the banks of the Wye, is open to visitors and managed by Cadw. It is one of the great Romantic ruins of Britain, painted by Turner and celebrated in Wordsworth's poetry.

What is the Devil's Pulpit?

The Devil's Pulpit is a rocky viewpoint on the Offa's Dyke path high above Tintern, on the English side of the gorge, giving a dramatic bird's-eye view down onto the abbey. It is reached by a steep but short walk up from the valley floor.

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