Abaty Cwm-hir

Settlement in Radnorshire

Wales

Abaty Cwm-hir

Glyndwr's Way near Abbeycwmhir
Glyndwr's Way near Abbeycwmhir Credit: Dave Kelly

Abaty Cwm-hir, located in Radnorshire, Wales, is a historic site that holds significance for its architectural beauty and rich history. The name "Abaty Cwm-hir" translates to "Abbey in the Long Valley," which perfectly describes its scenic surroundings.

The abbey was initially founded in 1143 as a Cistercian monastery by the Welsh prince Cadwallon ap Madog. Over the centuries, it grew in size and importance, becoming one of the largest monastic houses in Wales. However, like many religious establishments, it fell into decline during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century.

Today, visitors can explore the ruins of Abaty Cwm-hir, which include the remains of the church, chapter house, and cloister. The architecture exhibits a combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles, showcasing the artistic prowess of the craftsmen who built it.

What makes Abaty Cwm-hir truly remarkable is its picturesque location amidst the lush Welsh countryside. The site provides breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and valleys, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

Visitors can also delve into the abbey's intriguing history through guided tours, which offer insights into the lives of the monks who once inhabited the site. These tours provide an opportunity to understand the religious, cultural, and historical significance of Abaty Cwm-hir.

Abaty Cwm-hir stands as a testament to Wales' medieval past, preserving its architectural grandeur and captivating visitors with its awe-inspiring setting. Whether one is interested in history, architecture, or simply seeking a moment of tranquility, this ancient abbey offers a unique experience for all who venture to Radnorshire.

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Abaty Cwm-hir Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.331015/-3.389919 or Grid Reference SO0571. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Glyndwr's Way near Abbeycwmhir
Glyndwr's Way near Abbeycwmhir
Glyndwr's Way near Cwmysgawen A horse stile on the path
Glyndwr's Way near Cwmysgawen
A horse stile on the path
Bridge over Cwm Poeth Brook at Abbeycwmhir This stone bridge allows access to St Mary's churchyard from the nearby hall. The single-span footbridge with its attached walls is grade II-listed (Cadw Building ID: 83092 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-83092-footbridge-attached-walls-and-gateway-on-#.VxPdcP_mqHs" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-83092-footbridge-attached-walls-and-gateway-on-#.VxPdcP_mqHs">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  British Listed Buildings)
Bridge over Cwm Poeth Brook at Abbeycwmhir
This stone bridge allows access to St Mary's churchyard from the nearby hall. The single-span footbridge with its attached walls is grade II-listed (Cadw Building ID: 83092 LinkExternal link British Listed Buildings)
Parish Church of St Mary, Abbeycwmhir The current church was built in 1856 at the expense of Miss Mary Beatrice Philips, a sister to the Squire George Henry Philips of the adjacent Hall <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1445756" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1445756">Link</a>. 
The current building, in Victorian Gothic revival style, replaced that built in 1680 by Sir William Fowler a little to the south, of which no trace remains. The earlier building which was dedicated to St Bridget incorporated carved stonework from the nearby Abbey none of which has been preserved in this church.
Cwm Poeth brook runs through the churchyard and into a culvert under the road, eventually emerging below Home Farm before joining Clywedog Brook. A stone bridge leads over Cwm Poeth from the churchyard to The Hall.

Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust Radnorshire churches survey <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://cpat.org.uk/Archive/churches/radnor/16703.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://cpat.org.uk/Archive/churches/radnor/16703.htm">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Castles of Wales page <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.castlewales.com/cwmhr_ch.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.castlewales.com/cwmhr_ch.html">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The church, bridge and Abbey ruins are all listed Grade II*.
Parish Church of St Mary, Abbeycwmhir
The current church was built in 1856 at the expense of Miss Mary Beatrice Philips, a sister to the Squire George Henry Philips of the adjacent Hall Link. The current building, in Victorian Gothic revival style, replaced that built in 1680 by Sir William Fowler a little to the south, of which no trace remains. The earlier building which was dedicated to St Bridget incorporated carved stonework from the nearby Abbey none of which has been preserved in this church. Cwm Poeth brook runs through the churchyard and into a culvert under the road, eventually emerging below Home Farm before joining Clywedog Brook. A stone bridge leads over Cwm Poeth from the churchyard to The Hall. Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust Radnorshire churches survey LinkExternal link Castles of Wales page LinkExternal link The church, bridge and Abbey ruins are all listed Grade II*.
Railings Detail, St Mary's Church, Abbeycwmhir The current church was built in 1856 at the expense of Miss Mary Beatrice Philips, a sister to the Squire George Henry Philips of the adjacent Hall <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1445756" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1445756">Link</a>. 
The current building, in Victorian Gothic revival style, replaced that built in 1680 by Sir William Fowler a little to the south, of which no trace remains. The earlier building which was dedicated to St Bridget incorporated carved stonework from the nearby Abbey none of which has been preserved in this church.
Cwm Poeth brook runs through the churchyard and into a culvert under the road, eventually emerging below Home Farm before joining Clywedog Brook. A stone bridge leads over Cwm Poeth from the churchyard to The Hall.

Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust Radnorshire churches survey <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://cpat.org.uk/Archive/churches/radnor/16703.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://cpat.org.uk/Archive/churches/radnor/16703.htm">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Castles of Wales page <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.castlewales.com/cwmhr_ch.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.castlewales.com/cwmhr_ch.html">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The church, bridge and Abbey ruins are all listed Grade II*.
Railings Detail, St Mary's Church, Abbeycwmhir
The current church was built in 1856 at the expense of Miss Mary Beatrice Philips, a sister to the Squire George Henry Philips of the adjacent Hall Link. The current building, in Victorian Gothic revival style, replaced that built in 1680 by Sir William Fowler a little to the south, of which no trace remains. The earlier building which was dedicated to St Bridget incorporated carved stonework from the nearby Abbey none of which has been preserved in this church. Cwm Poeth brook runs through the churchyard and into a culvert under the road, eventually emerging below Home Farm before joining Clywedog Brook. A stone bridge leads over Cwm Poeth from the churchyard to The Hall. Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust Radnorshire churches survey LinkExternal link Castles of Wales page LinkExternal link The church, bridge and Abbey ruins are all listed Grade II*.
Abbey-Cwm-Hir Abbeycwmhir (Abaty Cwm Hir, "Abbey in the Long Valley") is a remote village in the valley of the Nant Clywedog. The village is named after Cwmhir Abbey, the Cistercian abbey built there in 1143.
Abbey-Cwm-Hir
Abbeycwmhir (Abaty Cwm Hir, "Abbey in the Long Valley") is a remote village in the valley of the Nant Clywedog. The village is named after Cwmhir Abbey, the Cistercian abbey built there in 1143.
Abbeycwmhir Village Centre Abbeycwmhir (Abaty Cwm Hir, "Abbey in the Long Valley") is a remote village in the valley of the Nant Clywedog. The village is named after Cwmhir Abbey, the Cistercian abbey built there in 1143.
Abbeycwmhir Village Centre
Abbeycwmhir (Abaty Cwm Hir, "Abbey in the Long Valley") is a remote village in the valley of the Nant Clywedog. The village is named after Cwmhir Abbey, the Cistercian abbey built there in 1143.
Abbeycwmhir Telephone Kiosk Abbeycwmhir (Abaty Cwm Hir, "Abbey in the Long Valley") is a remote village in the valley of the Nant Clywedog. The village is named after Cwmhir Abbey, the Cistercian abbey built there in 1143.
Abbeycwmhir Telephone Kiosk
Abbeycwmhir (Abaty Cwm Hir, "Abbey in the Long Valley") is a remote village in the valley of the Nant Clywedog. The village is named after Cwmhir Abbey, the Cistercian abbey built there in 1143.
Cwmhir Abbey (Abaty Cwm Hir) The ruins of Abbey Cwmhir lie in the secluded valley of the Clywedog brook in a remote location typical of those chosen by the Cistercian order. The abbey was built in 1176, probably under the patronage of Cadwallon ap Madog of Maelienydd, as this area of Powys was then called.
The abbey was badly damaged in 1401-2 during the revolt of Owen Glyndwr who believed the English monks to be spies. At the time of dissolution in 1537 there were only three monks here.
Little survives of the abbey buildings and only the nave of the church, the largest in Wales,  still stands. Stone from the abbey was used in the construction of the 17th century church (since demolished) and The Hall.
The nearby mound and boating lake are part of the 19th century landscaping around the adjacent Hall <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1445756" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1445756">Link</a>.

Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/abbeyc/abbeyc.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/abbeyc/abbeyc.htm">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Castles of Wales page <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.castlewales.com/cwmhir.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.castlewales.com/cwmhir.html">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The abbey ruins are Grade II* listed.
Cwmhir Abbey (Abaty Cwm Hir)
The ruins of Abbey Cwmhir lie in the secluded valley of the Clywedog brook in a remote location typical of those chosen by the Cistercian order. The abbey was built in 1176, probably under the patronage of Cadwallon ap Madog of Maelienydd, as this area of Powys was then called. The abbey was badly damaged in 1401-2 during the revolt of Owen Glyndwr who believed the English monks to be spies. At the time of dissolution in 1537 there were only three monks here. Little survives of the abbey buildings and only the nave of the church, the largest in Wales, still stands. Stone from the abbey was used in the construction of the 17th century church (since demolished) and The Hall. The nearby mound and boating lake are part of the 19th century landscaping around the adjacent Hall Link. Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust LinkExternal link Castles of Wales page LinkExternal link The abbey ruins are Grade II* listed.
Cistercian Abbey Ruins, Cwmhir Abbey (Abaty Cwm Hir) The ruins of Abbey Cwmhir lie in the secluded valley of the Clywedog brook in a remote location typical of those chosen by the Cistercian order. The abbey was built in 1176, probably under the patronage of Cadwallon ap Madog of Maelienydd, as this area of Powys was then called.
The abbey was badly damaged in 1401-2 during the revolt of Owen Glyndwr who believed the English monks to be spies. At the time of dissolution in 1537 there were only three monks here.
Little survives of the abbey buildings and only the nave of the church, the largest in Wales,  still stands. Stone from the abbey was used in the construction of the 17th century church (since demolished) and The Hall.
The nearby mound and boating lake are part of the 19th century landscaping around the adjacent Hall <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1445756" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1445756">Link</a>.

Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/abbeyc/abbeyc.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/abbeyc/abbeyc.htm">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Castles of Wales page <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.castlewales.com/cwmhir.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.castlewales.com/cwmhir.html">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The abbey ruins are Grade II* listed.
Cistercian Abbey Ruins, Cwmhir Abbey (Abaty Cwm Hir)
The ruins of Abbey Cwmhir lie in the secluded valley of the Clywedog brook in a remote location typical of those chosen by the Cistercian order. The abbey was built in 1176, probably under the patronage of Cadwallon ap Madog of Maelienydd, as this area of Powys was then called. The abbey was badly damaged in 1401-2 during the revolt of Owen Glyndwr who believed the English monks to be spies. At the time of dissolution in 1537 there were only three monks here. Little survives of the abbey buildings and only the nave of the church, the largest in Wales, still stands. Stone from the abbey was used in the construction of the 17th century church (since demolished) and The Hall. The nearby mound and boating lake are part of the 19th century landscaping around the adjacent Hall Link. Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust LinkExternal link Castles of Wales page LinkExternal link The abbey ruins are Grade II* listed.
Cwmhir Abbey (Abaty Cwm Hir) Ruins The remains of the Cistercian abbey, viewed from the south-east.
Cwmhir Abbey (Abaty Cwm Hir) Ruins
The remains of the Cistercian abbey, viewed from the south-east.
Lake at Abbey-Cwm-Hir The lake, just to the south of the ruined abbey, was built as part of the 19th century landscaping associated with the nearby hall.
Lake at Abbey-Cwm-Hir
The lake, just to the south of the ruined abbey, was built as part of the 19th century landscaping associated with the nearby hall.
Clywedog Brook at Abbey-Cwm-Hir Water drains from the lake into Clywedog Brook.
Clywedog Brook at Abbey-Cwm-Hir
Water drains from the lake into Clywedog Brook.
Lake and Ruined Abbey, Abbey-Cwm-Hir The ruins of Abbey Cwmhir lie in the secluded valley of the Clywedog brook in a remote location typical of those chosen by the Cistercian order. The abbey was built in 1176, probably under the patronage of Cadwallon ap Madog of Maelienydd, as this area of Powys was then called.
The abbey was badly damaged in 1401-2 during the revolt of Owen Glyndwr who believed the English monks to be spies. At the time of dissolution in 1537 there were only three monks here.
Little survives of the abbey buildings and only the nave of the church, the largest in Wales,  still stands. Stone from the abbey was used in the construction of the 17th century church (since demolished) and The Hall.
The nearby mound and boating lake are part of the 19th century landscaping around the adjacent Hall <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1445756" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1445756">Link</a>.

Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/abbeyc/abbeyc.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/abbeyc/abbeyc.htm">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Castles of Wales page <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.castlewales.com/cwmhir.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.castlewales.com/cwmhir.html">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The abbey ruins are Grade II* listed.
Lake and Ruined Abbey, Abbey-Cwm-Hir
The ruins of Abbey Cwmhir lie in the secluded valley of the Clywedog brook in a remote location typical of those chosen by the Cistercian order. The abbey was built in 1176, probably under the patronage of Cadwallon ap Madog of Maelienydd, as this area of Powys was then called. The abbey was badly damaged in 1401-2 during the revolt of Owen Glyndwr who believed the English monks to be spies. At the time of dissolution in 1537 there were only three monks here. Little survives of the abbey buildings and only the nave of the church, the largest in Wales, still stands. Stone from the abbey was used in the construction of the 17th century church (since demolished) and The Hall. The nearby mound and boating lake are part of the 19th century landscaping around the adjacent Hall Link. Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust LinkExternal link Castles of Wales page LinkExternal link The abbey ruins are Grade II* listed.
Abaty Cwm Hir (Cwmhir Abbey) Ruins and Lake The ruins of Abbey Cwmhir lie in the secluded valley of the Clywedog brook in a remote location typical of those chosen by the Cistercian order. The abbey was built in 1176, probably under the patronage of Cadwallon ap Madog of Maelienydd, as this area of Powys was then called.
The abbey was badly damaged in 1401-2 during the revolt of Owen Glyndwr who believed the English monks to be spies. At the time of dissolution in 1537 there were only three monks here.
Little survives of the abbey buildings and only the nave of the church, the largest in Wales,  still stands. Stone from the abbey was used in the construction of the 17th century church (since demolished) and The Hall.
The nearby mound and boating lake are part of the 19th century landscaping around the adjacent Hall <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1445756" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1445756">Link</a>.

Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/abbeyc/abbeyc.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/abbeyc/abbeyc.htm">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Castles of Wales page <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.castlewales.com/cwmhir.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.castlewales.com/cwmhir.html">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The abbey ruins are Grade II* listed.
Abaty Cwm Hir (Cwmhir Abbey) Ruins and Lake
The ruins of Abbey Cwmhir lie in the secluded valley of the Clywedog brook in a remote location typical of those chosen by the Cistercian order. The abbey was built in 1176, probably under the patronage of Cadwallon ap Madog of Maelienydd, as this area of Powys was then called. The abbey was badly damaged in 1401-2 during the revolt of Owen Glyndwr who believed the English monks to be spies. At the time of dissolution in 1537 there were only three monks here. Little survives of the abbey buildings and only the nave of the church, the largest in Wales, still stands. Stone from the abbey was used in the construction of the 17th century church (since demolished) and The Hall. The nearby mound and boating lake are part of the 19th century landscaping around the adjacent Hall Link. Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust LinkExternal link Castles of Wales page LinkExternal link The abbey ruins are Grade II* listed.
Dam, Abbeycwmhir Lake Water from the lake overflows here into Cywedog Brook.
Dam, Abbeycwmhir Lake
Water from the lake overflows here into Cywedog Brook.
Abbeycwmhir Lake The lake, just to the south of the ruined abbey, was built as part of the 19th century landscaping associated with the nearby hall.
Abbeycwmhir Lake
The lake, just to the south of the ruined abbey, was built as part of the 19th century landscaping associated with the nearby hall.
Small Waterfall on Clywedog Brook Clywedog Brook, south of the lake at Abbey-Cwm-Hir
Small Waterfall on Clywedog Brook
Clywedog Brook, south of the lake at Abbey-Cwm-Hir
Show me another place!

Abaty Cwm-hir is located at Grid Ref: SO0571 (Lat: 52.331015, Lng: -3.389919)

Unitary Authority: Powys

Police Authority: Dyfed Powys

Also known as: Abbey-cwm-hir, Abbeycwmhir

What 3 Words

///visa.nutty.exactly. Near Rhayader, Powys

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.331015,-3.389919
Abbey Cwm-hir
Historic: ruins
Name Cy: Abaty Cwm-hir
Tourism: attraction
Lat/Long: 52.3298657/-3.3875522
Abbeycwmhir
Alt Name: Abbey Cwmhir
Place: hamlet
Source: OS_OpenData_StreetView
Wikidata: Q3405015
Lat/Long: 52.3313804/-3.3905287
Parking
Home Farm Yard
Access: permissive
Capacity: 5
Fee: no
Parking: surface
Surface: paved
Lat/Long: 52.3306163/-3.388741
Tourism: museum
Lat/Long: 52.3304573/-3.3886921
Post Box
Post Box Type: lamp
Ref: LD1 16
Royal Cypher: EIIR
Royal Cypher Wikidata: Q33102113
Lat/Long: 52.3311235/-3.3893546
Telephone
Booth: K6
Covered: booth
Operator: BT
Operator Wikidata: Q593786
Phone: +44 1597 851347
Lat/Long: 52.3307671/-3.3888128
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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