People in Gloucestershire, known for their love of history, are spoilt for choice with a wealth of heritage on their doorstep. Not only do they have the stunning Welsh countryside within easy reach, but also some of England's most idyllic landscapes. A prime example is the Welsh village of Tintern, famed for its majestic Abbey in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
As highlighted by Visit Monmouthshire, the Abbey's "atmospheric" ruins rank among Country Life magazine's top ten British heritage sites. Moreover, Tintern is just a stone's throw away from the border, making it an ideal spot for those itching to explore. The Abbey has been a muse for the likes of William Wordsworth and Alfred Lord Tennyson in poetry and JMW Turner in art.
But beyond its artistic inspirations, what else makes Tintern a 'must visit'? Let's delve into the village's offerings, as reported by . Perched on the west bank of the River Wye, Tintern is enveloped by lush woodlands and pastoral scenes. Historically, it was an industrial hub for centuries.
Recent conservation efforts have uncovered evidence of numerous forges and furnaces along the river Wye dating back to the 16th through 18th centuries. Notably, brass was first produced in Britain at the Abbey Forge, and it was here that wire was manufactured on an industrial scale for the first time including the wire for the inaugural transatlantic cable. Nowadays, the village is described as being "a hub" for walkers and cyclists and boasts.