DON'T MISS! Exploring Tintern Abbey: A Spectacular Site Nestled in Monmouthshire, Wales.

WOW! This place is incredible! We are so glad we stopped here on our tour of Wales and the Cotswolds. Tintern Abbey is a 12th-century Cistercian abbey, founded by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow. The ruined abbey church is considered to be one of the finest examples of Norman and Early English architecture in Wales.

Tintern Abbey holds a unique place in British history as it is the first site to be given protected status as a ruin. This occurred in the late 18th century when Wordsworth's famous poem "Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey", which were published after visiting the ruins. His words struck a chord with the public and led to a change in attitude towards ancient buildings. Previously seen as little more than derelict piles of stone, they were now viewed with a new sense of awe and wonder.

Visitors to Tintern Abbey can explore the ruins of the church, cloisters, domestic buildings, and gatehouse. The site also includes a museum, which we found to be very cool, with exhibits on the history of the abbey as well as interactive displays about life in a medieval monastery, and of course... nifty things to buy.