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This leafy trail with romantic ruins and a proper pub is ideal for an autumn walk

Western Mail

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September 20, 2025

AH, MY favourite season has arrived. I don't know about you, but I am an autumn. The crisp air, the crunchy leaves underfoot, and Wales' gorgeous landscapes transform into a vibrant palette of reds, oranges, and golds.

- Portia Jones

Here in Wales, there are plenty of autumnal spots where you can admire dazzling foliage, sip hot chocolates in cosy cafés, and browse boutique stores for seasonal treats. One of my favourite spots for an autumn day out is a pretty riverside village with a proper pub, a leafy trail and a ruined abbey.

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 cafés.

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't just a romantic ruin; it's 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's 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.

You can buy tickets on arrival at the visitor centre, and a selection of guidebooks can help you learn more about this beautiful abbey.

Around the corner from Tintern Abbey, you'll find Abbey Mill, an award-winning family business trading in Tintern village since 1936.

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