Llanthony Priory, Crucorney, United Kingdom

Llanthony Priory s a partly ruined former Augustinian priory. The priory dates back to around the year 1100, when Norman nobleman Walter de Lacy reputedly came upon a ruined chapel of St. David in this location, and was inspired to devote himself to solitary prayer and study. A church was built on the site, dedicated to St John the Baptist, and consecrated in 1108. By 1118, a group of around 40 monks from England founded there a priory of Canons Regular, the first in Wales.

In 1135, after persistent attacks from the local Welsh population, the monks retreated to Gloucester where they founded a secondary cell, Llanthony Secunda. However, around 1186 another member of the de Lacy family, Hugh, the fifth baron, endowed the estate with funds from his Irish estates to rebuild the priory church, and this work was completed by 1217.

The Priory became one of the great medieval buildings in Wales, in a mixture of Norman and Gothic architectural styles. Renewed building took place around 1325, with a new gatehouse.

Following Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion in the early 15th century, the Priory seems to have been barely functioning. In 1481 it was formally merged with its daughter cell in Gloucester, and after 1538 both houses were suppressed by Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries.

The buildings at Llanthony gradually decayed after the Dissolution to a ruin, although in the early 18th century the medieval infirmary was converted to the Church of St David. In 1799 the estate was bought by Colonel Sir Mark Wood, the owner of Piercefield House near Chepstow, who converted some of the buildings into a domestic house and shooting box.

The ruins have attracted artists over the years, including J. M. W. Turner who painted them from the opposite hillside. Wood's house later became the Abbey Hotel. The remaining ruins are protected by Cadw and entrance to the ruins is free.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Ilka Johannsen (9 months ago)
5 stars for location. 5 stars for the very special athmosphere of this place. 5 stars for the wonderful breakfast and dinner. However, only 1 star for room Nr.6. The room is very sparse (which is fine), the mattress is very uncomfortable, sagging and hard at the same time, and there is a large skylight to the hall, so the room is way too bright during the night, especially when other guests leave the hall light on or switch it on and off to use the bathroom. (The bathroom is very nice.) I couldn't sleep both nights I stayed. I was amazed by the beautiful location and the unique feel of this hotel, plus the food was lovely, yet I felt so tired and achy after the two nights (for which I paid £260) that my memory of it is tainted with fatigue and discomfort.

Geoff Buck (9 months ago)
Lack of en-suite bathrooms is a drawback, but we were lucky to be the only occupancy in the wing so had the bathroom (which is spacious) to ourselves. Bedroom size was fine. The building is very old, hence the lack of en-suites. There is a guest lounge. No WiFi or mobile signal - either a great advantage or a great disadvantage! (WiFi in the nearby Half Moon Inn.) Quaint dining room. Food pleasant. Can eat in the small bar too. Very friendly and helpful staff. Located pretty much on the very edge of the ruins of Llanthony Priory. Good location for walkers. Has Husqvarna boot driers!

g t (9 months ago)
Lovely little cellar bar at the abbey. Fascinating walk around the ruins, church and grounds. Serves a couple of ales. Open for meals of an evening from about 1830. Campsite with honesty box on nearby field. No phone signal or Wi-Fi. It belongs the farm and has nothing to do with the bar/hotel. Lovely ambience. Highly recommended. ? ???????‍♀️⛰️ ? ???????

matthew wigzell (12 months ago)
Have only spent time in the cellar bar so can comment on the bar only. Absolutely stunning place, well worth a visit for a drink, dinner & camping. However, my friends and I were not impressed by the '2 pint takeout' drink as when we got back to our camping spot we were very disappointed to see that the take out cartons had a little over a pint and a quarter in them, and that's not due to any spillage. At approximately £10 a go it proved to be a very expensive drink each! It sounds pedantic to complain about this but the price of beer anywhere is expensive enough. Don't be fooled by the 2 pint takeouts!!!

C Harris (12 months ago)
We just finished off a 6 mile walk with a dog and yet the moment we want to take a 5 min trip around the small ruins this wasn't allowed due to a no dog policy? Lady who came out gave the excuse of the landowner not wanting dogs due to mess etc, when In reality this is simply a power move to stop people visiting. The place is in for a shock when they find out dog ownership is increasing for younger generations! What is a priory doing in private hands anyway? Does everything have to be ran for just a profit? Pathetic.

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