Wales Off the Beaten Path Tips by aaaarrgh

Llanthony Abbey is literally just off the 'beaten track'. In this case, the 'beaten track' is the famous Offa's Dyke, which is a mile or so east.

It is also located on an junction of two powerful and ancient 'ley-lines', one of which follows the same line of the track which passes through the field towards the Dyke.

The abbey is very ruined these days. All that remains of the once large community of cloisters and farms are the great arches of the main nave and most of the tower. There is a farm and hotel immediately next-door with a cafe for drinks, ice-creams and snacks.

The Abbey was formed by brave Augustinian canons who were linked to Gloucester Cathedral. Brave because the Abbey was often attacked by those pesky Welsh people ;-)

It was founded around 1100. Like many abbeys, it survived until the English Reformation of 1538 when it was closed by King Henry VIII.

Romantic poet Walter Savage Landor lived amongst the ruins for a few years of the early 19th century.

Location
About 10 miles north of Abergavenny in the Black Mountains. Follow the A465 road north from Abergavenny for about 4 miles towards Llanfihangel Crucorny then turn off onto a minor road heading northwest.

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Website: http://www.llanthony.co.uk/accommodation.html