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Llanthony Priory

📍 Monmouthshire, Wales

4.6 ★★★★½ 2,100 reviews

About

Llanthony Priory is a partly ruined former Augustinian priory in the secluded Vale of Ewyas, a steep-sided once-glaciated valley within the Black Mountains area of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Monmouthshire, south east Wales. It lies seven miles north of Abergavenny on an old road to Hay-on-Wye at Llanthony. The priory ruins lie to the west of the prominent Hatterrall Ridge, a limb of the Black mountains. The main ruins are under the care of Cadw and entrance is free.

Founded c.1100 when Norman knight William de Lacy was inspired by an existing chapel to devote himself to prayer. By 1118, about 40 Augustinian canons established the first priory of its kind in Wales. Welsh attacks in 1135 forced retreat to Gloucester. Rebuilt and flourished before dissolution in 1538. Now managed by Cadw; remarkably, a hotel and pub occupy part of the ruins.