Valle Crucis Abbey, near Llangollen (North Wales)

Extensive remains of Cistercian abbey founded in 1201

Summary 13th century buildings (or older) Information provided Public car parking for a charge (nearby)

Introduction

Extensive remains of Cistercian abbey founded in 1201. The church dates from the thirteenth century, and the east range of the cloister was remodelled around 1400. There is a fine collection of medieval memorial sculpture.  

History to the present day

 Valle Crucis Abbey was founded in 1201 by Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor and was the last Cistercian monastery to be built in Wales. The name means ‘Valley of the Cross’ and comes from the nearby stone cross, the Pillar of Eliseg.
Madog was buried at the abbey in 1296 and his heraldic slab was discovered during an excavation at the site in 1956. Not long after his death a serious fire is believed to have badly damaged the abbey. There is archaeological evidence that the church and south range were badly affected.
The completed abbey is thought to have been home to sixty brethren composed of 20 choir monks and 40 lay members to carry out the day-to-day work of the abbey. Valle Crucis is believed to have been involved in the Welsh Wars of Edward I of England during the thirteenth century, and damaged in the uprising led by Owain Glyndwr.

In 1537, Valle Crucis was dissolved by Henry VII, as it was seen to not be as prosperous as the more wealthy English abbeys. By the late sixteenth century the eastern range of the abbey had been converted into a manor house. It remained with the Wotton family until the estate was sequestered by Parliament in 1651. During the late eighteenth century the remaining buildings were re-roofed and the site was used as a farm and was the site of excavations in the later half of the nineteenth century.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Valle Crucis Abbey, North Wales, , United Kingdom

Opening hours:

 

01.04.10 - 31.10.10: daily 10.00 - 17.00

01.11.10 - 31.03.11: Open site 

Open sites are unstaffed and open to the public with no admission charge at all reasonable times, usually between 10 and 4 daily.

 

Admission prices:

 

Adult: £2.60

Concession: £2.25

Family: £7.45 

 

Entry is free for Welsh residents aged 60 and over or 16 and under who have a valid pass. 

 

 

Photographs courtesy of CADW photographic library.