Monmouth Tourist Information

Monmouth Tourist Guide

Strolling around Monmouth town is a historical journey indeed. The town has numerous historical buildings and sites of interest, particularly the unique 13th century stone gated Monnow Bridge which is in an immaculate state of preservation. There are only 3 such bridges of the period in all Europe! The Shire Hall, situated on the central Agincourt Square, dates from 1724 and sits on the site of an old Elizabethan market hall. Once the Assizes and Sessions courts, Chartists, such as Henry Vincent, were tried here. Also on Agincourt Square there's a few very old coaching inns, and arrive on a Wednesday, Friday or Saturday and be greeted by Monmouth's bustling market. What remains of Monmouth Castle are just a hop and skip from the Square. It was largely demolished in the 17th century to make way for Castle Hall which now serves as the Royal Monmouthshire Regiment Museum (see weblink right).

Other interesting Monmouth buildings include St Mary's Church which is Medieval, but underwent considerable refurbishment in the early 1730s. Monmouth Gaol, of which only the gatehouse remains, had public hangings here up until the 1850s. Archaeological work has also been afoot in Monmouth recently, and both Roman artefacts and Celtic foundations to the town have been unearthed. Monmouth was the site of a Roman Garrison

Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson didn't live in Monmouth and he's not buried here either, but he visited a few times and was rather smitten with local heiress Lady Hamilton. The Nelson Museum in Monmouth is home to a superb collection of artefacts relating to the famous admiral including weapons, paintings, fine ceramics, silver, glass, ship models and letters. The town of Monmouth and Charles Stuart Rolls, co-founder to the Rolls Royce dynasty are also referenced in this superb Monmouth museum.

Nelson Museum, Priory Street, Monmouth, NP25 3XA. Tel: 01600 710630. Free Admission!

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Raglan Castle and Caldicot Castle

On the Welsh Castle Trail, Monmouthshire won't disappoint visitors. One of the most popular castles in the area is Raglan Castle, a breathtaking Medieval castle, Britain's last to be built, dating from the 15th and 16th century and built by Sir William ap Thomas & Son (the Earl of Pembrokeshire). Raglan Castle is a Welsh Castle that was particularly hammered during the Civil War, Cromwell knocked this one about more than most - note the damage to the Great Tower. It's close connection with royalty in the past, notably Edward IV and Henry V (born nearby in Monmouth) sealed it's fate no doubt. It's destruction marked the end of the civil war and Royalist defeat. Read more on the superb Wales Castles weblink right.

Monmouthshire and the Wye Valleys, as you'd expect with these English and Welsh borderland regions, is rich in historic castles, most dating from the Norman period. Caldicot Castle and it's surround 55 acres of stunning country park is one of Monmouthshire's most beautiful castles. Founded by the Normans, Caldicot castle was a stronghold in the Middle Ages, and it's well preserved state has much to do with extensive renovation during the Victorian period when it was a family home. Tour the castle and park, with Kids Activity station on-site as well as free parking, a tea shop, gift shop and a tourist information point. See website right for details.

You've more castles to explore in the area too, including White Castle and Usk Castle. Both are also listed and detailed in the Wales Castle weblink right.

Caldicot Castle, Church Road, Caldicot, Monmouthshire NP26 4HU. Tel 01291 420241.

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Tintern Abbey - Inspiration for William Wordsworth!

Tintern Abbey in Monmouthshire, just 4 miles north of Chepstow, was founded by Cistercian monks in 1131 AD during Henry I reign. The Abbey sits on a remote site (although less so these days) which the Cistercians favoured. It's built adjacent to the River Wye. The monks were hit by the Black Death here in 1349, but they kept going until 1536 with desolution and Henry VIII finally putting the boot in!

Tintern Abbey remained neglected until the 18th century when tourism began to be encouraged into the area. The ruins were spruced up and the likes of painter Turner visited, with William Wordsworth hot on his tail waxing lyrical on the 'beauteous forms' around Tintern Abbey. Wordsworth visited Tintern in 1793 then again in 1798 (see Tintern Village weblink right for Wordsworth poetry link). Tintern Abbey fit nicely into the Romanticist mould.

You'll feel dwafted as you wander around the mammoth ruins of Tintern Abbey, reflecting on just how rich this Cistercian Abbey (and the monks within it) would have been in it's heyday. Numerous local lords contributed funds to the powerhouse. As ruined abbeys go, Tintern is certainly essential viewing.

Tintern Abbey, Tintern, Monmuthshire NP16 6SE. Tel: 01291 689251. (see the Cadw link right for the Tintern Abbey leaflet. There's a recommended route for disabled visitors around the abbey, plus a shop, toilets, parking and an audio tour all available.

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