HOW TO VISIT VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY IN WALES

valle crucis abbey wales, front view
 

The weather beaten ruins of Valle Crucis Abbey lie in a beautifully picturesque steep-sided valley, north of Llangollen in North Wales. Today, the evocative ruins may lie behind a caravan park, but it hasn’t lost any of its romance and magnificence.

From your first glimpse of the west front of the abbey church and the rib-vaulted chapter house to discovering the only surviving monastic fishpond in Wales, you know you are in for a treat.

Read on to discover how to visit this medieval Abbey and enjoy it’s history and architecture.


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VISITING VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY

 

Founded in 1201 for monks of the Cistercian order, by the ruler of northern Powys, it was the last Cistercian Foundation built in Wales.

A visit to this fascinating and well preserved site evokes the lives of the monks that lived, worked and prayed here.


VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY FACTS

 

The story of Valle Crucis Abbey has its humble beginnings, a short walk up the road from the Abbey, at Eliseg’s Pillar, a 9th century weather beaten memorial cross, which gave the Abbey its name, meaning “Valley of the cross”.

Solitude ruled supreme for monasteries so finding such a remote, scenic location away from life’s temptations, must have felt victorious.

Valle Crucis Abbey’s idyllic position at the foot of the Horseshoe Pass, ensured remoteness, simplicity and self-sufficiency. Walking up to the ruins today, it is apparent that seven centuries later, this is still a stunning place.


VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY HISTORY

 

The Abbey suffered a severe fire in 1236 and after most of the rebuilding work had been completed the abbey was damaged again in 1276 and 1282 and in the early 15th century as a result of campaigns against the Welsh.

The monks rebuilt and made additions to the building and in 1535 its prosperity had risen, attracting several well known welsh poets, in fact one is even buried here.

The new found wealth of the Abbey was sadly short lived when Valle Crucis was dissolved by royal decree courtesy of Henry VIII in 1537. Later leased to Baron Wotton, the buildings became a manor house followed by a farmhouse.


WHAT DID VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY LOOK LIKE?

 
valle Crucis Abbey Wales
 

Looking around the site, it is hard to comprehend the true splender of the Abbey, and the formidable building it once was with its fireplaces, stairs, chapels and kitchen. However, the well preserved ruins do leave some indication of its former glory.

Valle Crucis Abbey followed the normal Cistercian layout of a large cruciform church, with residential accommodation arranged around a south side adjoining rectangular cloister.

Today though most of the 13th century church is in ruins, the west front with it’s imposing rose window, together with the east range of the cloister, chapter house and dormitory are striking reminders of its original beauty.


DAILY LIFE INSIDE THE ABBEY

 

Devotion to the service of God embodied the obligation of Obedience, Stability and Conversion. These where were reinforced by manual labour, seclusion, rejection of personal possessions and diet restrictions.

Even by today’s standards that doesn’t sound realistic, which is why they lived in such remote locations to ward off any temptation. Not much fun to be had that is for sure.

Basically within the self-contained Abbey, monks and lay-brothers either prayed, farmed on the outlying estates or slept!

This didn’t mean that everyone in the community mingled. In fact the monks slept in their own dormitory and prayed within the choir of the church.

A screen acted as a natural divide from the lay brethren who worshipped in the nave of the church.

It sounds as though the lay brethren got the rougher deal as they did all the manual work. Plus, they were segregated from the monks, despite having taken similar vows.


VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY WALK AROUND THE RUINS

 
Photo Credit : Valle Crucis Abbey

The majority of daily life revolved around the Cloister which is accessed from the church.

As you stand here, imagine a covered alley running along each arm of the cloister which permitted access to various other buildings such as the kitchen.

 
valle crucis abbey cloister
valle crucis abbey north wales

The grassed area of the cloister was always open to the elements. The square walled basin set into the grass, was where the monks would have washed, prior to entering the dining hall for their meals.

There is a real sense of calmness and solitude as you stand and admire these ruins.

After the church, the most important building in the abbey was the Chapter House directly ahead. Be sure to take a close look at the tracery and corbelling as you pass through the doorway.

 
valle crucis abbey chapter house

The monks sat on benches every morning under the elaborate vaulted ceiling and listened to readings and the day to day business of the Abbey .

Sit and gaze upwards at the striking ornamental ceiling and the intricately traceried windows. Imagine how the monks felt, as they confessed their faults to the abbot and learned what their due punishments would be.

At least they were sitting in a grandiose enviroment.

valle crucis abbey chapter house ceiling

Returning outside, the small door on your immediate left hand side leads to the upper floor and the dormitory where the monks slept.

valle crucis abbey dormitory
valle crucis abbey wales dormitory

At dusk the monks would retire to bed in what would have been cubicles, only to rise at around 2am for the first daily prayers.

The doorway above would have led to the night stair which descended directly into the church. They would return to bed for a rest before rising again at dawn.

Along the left hand side are a fascinating collection of medieval grave slabs, one of which belongs to Madog ap Gruffudd Maelor, (depicted by the lion) the abbey founder who died in 1236.

valle crucis abbey grave slabs

Standing admiring the striking vaulted roof, the silence is broken by the arrival and subsequent departure of the dormitory’s new residents, swallows.

valle crucis abbey birds

They have set up home here in the beam spaces. If you look carefully and follow the birds as they swoop into the dormitory, you can spot a couple of nests. What a great environment for them, as they can fly in through one window and out through another, feeding their young as they go.

Return to the ground floor and walk through the remains of the church to the back of the abbey where you will find a peaceful fishpond. In fact it is the only surviving monastic fishpond in Wales.

A steady supply of fish was needed as the monks were forbidden to eat flesh from four-legged animals.

valle crucis abbey grounds
valle crucis abbey church

The pool was remodelled in the 18th century, and now the reflection of the ruins in the pool is an iconic image of Valle Crucis Abbey.

Sit on the grassy bank and see what birdlife you can spot while admiring the reflections. This is a peaceful spot to relax in and enjoy the stillness.

Valle Crucis Abbey
valle crucis abbey pondlife

HOW TO VISIT VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY

 

WHERE IS VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY?

The Abbey can be found in Llantysilio, Llangollen. Parking is available next to the Abbey.

  • Address: Llantysilio, Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales, LL20 8DD
  • Location: 2 m NW Llangollen, on A542
  • OS: SJ 205 442

WHEN IS VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY OPEN?

Opening Times can be checked on the official website.

For the period 31 Oct-31 March, the Abbey is CLOSED


HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO VISIT THE ABBEY?

Admission per adult is £5.00 from 1st April to 31st March 2024. Concessions are available.


WHERE IS ELISEG’S PILLAR?

This can be seen in a field on thr right hand side from the road. It is a 5 minute stroll, and there is no parking, so leave your car next to the Abbey.


NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

 

The Abbey is easy to reach from Llangollen, where there are numerous things to do and see. There are plenty of nearby attractions that offer great views, history and walks, including:

  • Castell Dinas Bran – 1.3 miles (Castle)
  • Llangollen – 2 miles (Town)
  • Horseshoe Pass – 2.5 miles (Scenic Drive)

Valle Crucis Abbey is just one of the wonderful places to see in Wales. With such a wealth of history, Wales is a fantastic place to visit as it offers beautiful scenery, countryside, activities and culture in heaps.


MORE POSTS ON WALES

We have several interesting articles for you to read and help with your planning:

And click here to find guides to other destinations.


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VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY
 

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