Wye
Valley and Vale of Usk
The
Wye and Usk rivers meander through green valleys and rolling
hillsides, dominating the landscape of this area. Whether
touring by car or walking, scenic trails, charming towns
and villages and historic sites are around every corner.
The Wye Valley Walk is a waymarked walk along the spectacular
gorge of the Wye as far as Monmouth in Wales.
The Roman Amphitheatre
at Caerleon |
This
area, on the border between England and Wales, was once
fighting ground for Romans and Normans alike. The Welsh
clashed with the English Marcher Lords over control of
the land resulting in, possibly, more castles per square
mile than anywhere else in Britain. The town of Usk
was once a Roman legionary fort until Caerleon
overshadowed it in importance. It is considered one of
the most significant Roman sites in Wales, and there is
much of the Roman past to see here.
Chepstow
Castle walls |
Chepstow
is a historic walled town where Britain's first stone
built castle
is perched on the edge of a bluff above a loop in the
River Wye. The town was named Striguil in Norman times,
but became known as Chepstow from the old English "ceap
stowe" meaning market place. A tariff was collected at
the 16th century town gate on all cattle and goods that
passed through. In later years Chepstow became a busy
timber trading and shipbuilding port. The museum has displays
on the industries and occupations of the town over the
years. There's a scenic walk along the River Wye.
Tintern
Abbey |
North
of Chepstow the wooded Wye Valley reaches from Tintern
to Monmouth. Tintern
Abbey, in a remote area of the Valley-now designated
an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty-was founded by the
Cistercians in 1131, the first Cistercian abbey in Wales.
The abbey church, missing its roof and windows is well
preserved otherwise (thanks to some help by the Duke of
Beaufort in the 18th century), and its architectural splendor
is still visible.
Nearby
Tredegar House-on
the outskirts of Newport, a very busy full-of-traffic
city-is a grand post Civil War house. The rich Morgan
family were the owners, but future generations became
impoverished, and the house passed into public ownership.
Today its grounds are a public park. The interiors, open
to viewing, are luxurious evocations of wealth with carvings,
wood panelling and gilding.
Penhow
castle interior |
Penhow
Castle, a lived-in privately owned castle, covers
800 years of history, reflected in the variety of its
rooms.
Monmouth,
an ancient market town, derives its name from the river
Monnow. It is actually located on land between both the
Wye and the Monnow rivers. The Normans used it as a religious,
commercial and military site. The only castle remains
are the great gatehouse built in the late 14th century.
Henry V was born in the castle. However, there is a fine
Renaissance home in the castle grounds. It contains a
Regimental Museum with the castle's history. The town's
medieval street plan is still in place, including the
uniquely designed 13th century Monnow
Bridge with its fortified gatehouse. At one time there
were seven medieval churches in Monmouth. Followers of
Lord Nelson will want to visit the Nelson Museum.
Grosmont
church peeks through a belt of green trees |
Grosmont
is a charming hillside village with the ruins of one of
the "Three Castles" (the others being Skenfrith and White)
built by the Normans to control the Herefordshire-Usk
Valley routes. Grosmont's name comes from the French gros
mont meaning big hill. The castle remains sit on the edge
of the village on an earthen hill. Originally the ground
floor served as a basement, and the main rooms were on
the first floor. Later a stone curtain, gatehouse and
towers were added. Henry III stayed here in 1233. In the
14th century the castle was remodelled to suit a noble
household. It was a favourite residence of the Earls of
Lancaster. 800 Welshmen died here in battle in 1405 during
Owain Glyndwr's rebellion.
Skenfrith
was a timber and earth castle that was leveled and replace
in the early 1200's by stone. The circular keep is the
main feature. It stands at the centre of a ward that has
round towers on each corner.
The
spectacular ruin of Llanthony
Priory lies in the Black Mountains on the far eastern
edge of the Park. A chapel dedicated to St. David was
established here in the 6th century. The chapel ruins
were discovered by William de Lacy, a 12th century Norman
knight, who decided to renounce the world and build a
new hermitage that evolved into the Augustinian priory
we see today. Although mostly a ruin, eight surviving
early English arches and superb stonework decorations
grace the green hills.
Abergavenny
is full of historic, architectural, cultural and scenic
interest. A motte and bailey Norman castle (scant remains),
former seat of the lords of Abergavenny, houses a local
museum in its 19th century keep. Many of the town's original
buildings still exist. St Mary's, formerly a priory church,
was restored in the 19th century but still retains its
14-15th century choir stalls. The church has an extensive
collection of effigies, considered some of the best in
Britain. Three alabaster tombs are located in the Herbert
Chapel. The 15th century figure of Jesse is extraordinary.
Raglan
Castle gates |
Raglan
Castle's 15th century ruins rise above the Monmouth-Abergavenny
road. This castle served for more than defensive purposes.
Luxury was an important consideration, and traces of decoration
and fine stonework can be found.
Links
to places mentioned in this section:
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