Valle Crucis Abbey / Abaty Glyn Y Groes

A hidden gem in the Welsh countryside. So much history when you stand and look at the old walls of the abbey. There is some information in the booklet that's available from the ticket office and various boards around the ruins.

The ruins of a medieval Cistercian abbey which has enough to be able to imagine the structure as it once was. The sections for the months and the separate areas for the lay brothers are still quite clearly defined. Although a lesser Abbey when it was first built it did build up a reputation to rival others as time went on. Set in beautiful countryside off the road up to the Horsehoe Pass.
Be careful to check opening times as these are limited.
Although there was a day of torrential rain before we visited we were surprised that the ground of the whole site was firm, and the grass short. This made the site almost entirely accessible for my wife's wheelchair. There is a ramp down to the ticket office and shop and Cadw are planning to add more ramps around the building next year to make it even more accessible.
The Abbey's name is Latin for Vale of the Cross referring to Elisaig's Pillar which is njust a short walk away.
There is a small cafe and toilets near the main road.

Really lovely Abbey. Well worth a visit.

Was there early January so not open to the public but was able to take some phoros. Its an impressive sight and definitely worth a visit. It was awesomely quiet. I suspect it could be very busy in summer so was great to visit in winter.

The Abbey at Valle Crucis was founded for monks of the Cistercian order in 1201 by
Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor, the ruler of this part of northern Powys.

In attempt to return to St Benedict's primitive spirit of monasticism, the Cistercians were the most successful of the various reformed monastic orders of the 11th and 12th centuries.

The order spread rapidly to become a highly-organized international organization.
Within a century there were over 500 abbeys right across Europe, Scandinavia and the
near east. In Britain alone the final number was 85.
The last of 14 of Cistercian foundations was
built in Wales.

The Cistercians, or 'White Monks', were the most popular of the monastic orders in medieval Wales.

The name comes from their first foundation of Cîteaux (Latin: Cistercium) established in Burgundy, France some 900 years ago in 1098.

The white monks they were called because of their garment of undyed wool.

In desire of poverty and isolation, their monasteries were built in remote locations, "far from from the concourse of men", where the monks and lay-brothers combined an austerely religious life with farming on the outlying estates.

The church, was built in the early 13th century first time, but it was badly damaged by the fire sometime the middle of that century and had to be extensively rebuilt.

The east range of the cloister built around 1400, containing the chapter house and monks' dormitory.

The fish pond you will see there on the left handside of the Abbey is now the only surviving monastic fish pond in Wales!

The Cistercians were the most successful of the monastic orders in Wales with 13 houses founded here between 1131 and 1226.

Valle Crucis Abbey was closed down in 1537, during Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries, but parts were converted adterwards into the house.

We have parked just outside of the entrance.

There is a gift shop there and toilet facilities there too.

Lots of information boards there too to get information about each part of the Abbey.

Masks are required to be worn.

It is no doubt by far a very impressive Abbey we have come across on our holiday in Wales and definitely recommend to visit it!

Wonderful abbey in the Dee valley. Very reasonable prices. In door area to explore in the old abbots quarters. Nice little gift shop .

Beautiful place set in Llangollen just before the horse shoe pass .it is cared for by Cadw it has some interesting features it is set off from the road the remains are larger than it first appears from the road .
It even has an intact monks fish pond one of the only remaining ponds in the UK it also has an intriguing collection of stone coffin covers some of it is intact abd the architecture is beautiful.

Not much to do there once you have seen the ruins but its beautiful and serene and well looked after. More info would be great but nice to have a bimble about. The campsite next door also looks pretty nice and the camping pods! And when the machine works you can get fresh milkskae here!!! :D Xxx