Tintern Abbey was shrouded in mist when we arrived at the opening time of 10am, producing a very atmospheric aura. Victorian visitors would see this ruined abbey as 'romantic' and this made it very popular with the new tourists on the Wye Tour. Tintern Abbey was founded in 1131 by the Anglo-Norman lord of Chepstow, Walter fitz Richard of Clare. The abbey and its associated monks had a long and varied history until 1536 and the Reformation period. Monasteries were dissolved throughout the lands of King Henry VIII, so Tintern Abbey lost its roof and windows and was left to the elements. Since 1984 the abbey has been looked after by Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh Government and it is definitely worth a visit.
Parts of the abbey are now out of bounds to visitors because of the perilous state of the building. Nevertheless, you still get a sense of the wealth and power of this abbey. When the main towering Gothic church was built in 1269, most worshippers would barely have a roof over their heads, so this structure must have felt extraordinary indeed.
