By Portia Jones
Who doesn’t love a riverside village with striking historical ruins, proper pubs, and scenic walks? Luckily, several are found in the Wye Valley, which borders England and Wales and is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s a peaceful part of Wales with rolling countryside, attractive market towns, hiking trails, mountains, and outdoor activities. About five miles from Chepstow, Tintern is a scenic riverside village worth visiting. Famous for its ruined Cistercian abbey, Tintern has spectacular views, river walks and a smattering of dog-friendly pubs and cafes. The real showstopper here is Tintern Abbey, one of our greatest monastic ruins, the best-preserved medieval abbey in Wales, and the second Cistercian foundation to be built in Britain. This roofless marvel was founded in 1131 by Cistercian monks and has a long history, including the dissolution of the monasteries, which led to the abbey slowly turning into a majestic ruin. Tintern Abbey isn鈥檛 just a romantic ruin; it鈥檚 a place bursting with history. It was the first spot in Britain to produce brass and churn out wire on an industrial scale. And the abbey鈥檚 dramatic, sprawling ruins? They’ve captured the imaginations of greats like William Wordsworth, who wrote poetry about it, and JMW Turner, who captured its unique beauty in paint. Today, you can visit this important heritage site in Wales and marvel at the scale of the roofless abbey and the British Gothic architecture. Tickets can be bought on arrival at the visitor centre, and a selection of guidebooks can help you learn more about this beautiful abbey. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What鈥檚 On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Around the corner from Tintern Abbey, you’ll find Abbey Mill, an award-winning family business trading in Tintern village since 1936. This Independent craft and shopping complex has a recently renovated old water wheel and offers coffee, crafts, clothes, food, cider, and gifts. It also hosts various events, including raft races, vintage car shows, tractor festivals, bike rallies, and live music. The Filling Station cafe is also a great place to stop after exploring the monastery. It serves freshly brewed coffee, teas, cakes, and light meals. The lovely Anchor Inn has a large beer garden perfect for the summer months or as a mid-walk stop throughout the year, especially if you stumble across the pub while serving their generous Sunday carvery packed with local produce. It has fabulous unspoilt views of the Gothic abbey, a children’s playground and a large sports field. Nearby, the Wye Valley Hotel offers a warm welcome and freshly made dishes. This small, family-run country inn is where you can tuck into a post-hike meal by the crackling fire in the cosy bar, unwind in the light-filled dining room complete with inviting reading nooks, or soak up the sunshine on the south-facing patio when the Welsh weather plays nice. Alongside a tasty menu, there鈥檚 a decent selection of beers, wines, and spirits to enjoy. The Monmouthshire village is a hotspot for walkers and cyclists due to its ideal location along walking and cycling paths. It’s located on the Wye Valley Walk and just off The Offa’s Dyke walk. There’s also a gentle riverside walk that stretches from St Michael’s Church to Tintern Old Station. Another option is the old railway line to Brockweir, which starts at Old Station Tintern. One of the best long-distance hikes in this area is the 136-mile Wye Valley Walk, a long-distance footpath in Wales and England that follows the course of the River Wye. It’s a beautiful trail that passes small orchards, postcard-perfect villages, and rolling fields. If you don’t fancy trekking the entire trail, the Chepstow to Tintern section isn’t too taxing if you’re an experienced walker and takes you on a winding track where you’ll spot wildlife and heritage features. If you take the circular route, you’ll pass “Limekilns Catch” and spot a small path leading to an old Tintern Limekiln used from the 1700s to 1902. You’ll also be treated to an utter highlight of the walk: the Eagle’s Nest viewpoint. On the edge of the steep Wyndcliff, 700ft above the Wye, this is the highest point of the Piercefield Walks, with outstanding views of the river, Wintour’s Leap beyond. Stop here for a rest, soak up the view, and get some epic snaps for your socials.