Llanthony Priory

Llanthony Priory in Llanthony is a partly ruined Augustinian monastery set in the remote Vale of Ewyas, among the Black Mountains of Brecon Beacons National Park in Monmouthshire, south-east Wales. The ruins lie in a steep, glacier-carved valley about seven miles north of Abergavenny, beside the old road towards Hay-on-Wye. The site is Grade I listed, the main ruins are looked after by Cadw, and visiting is free.

How did Llanthony Priory begin?

The story starts around 1100. A Norman knight, William de Lacy, a kinsman of Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Ewyas, was drawn to the solitude of the valley and settled as a hermit. He was joined by Ersinius, once chaplain to the queen of Henry I. A church dedicated to St John the Baptist was consecrated in 1108, and the community of canons regular is regarded as the first of its kind in Wales.

Peace did not last. Around 1135 the canons left after attacks by local people and founded Llanthony Secunda in Gloucester. Endowments from Hugh de Lacy brought the community back: about 1186 he redirected income to the abandoned valley house. The present church was built up to the early 13th century. The priory was closed during Henry VIII's dissolution, in 1538 or 1539, and the buildings then fell into disrepair.

What can you see today?

The best-known sight is the arcade of the nave and the church towers, framed by the slopes of Hatterrall Ridge, an eastern spur of the Black Mountains. The ruins sit among fields and can be explored freely without a ticket.

Other Grade I listed buildings stand within the precinct: the church of St David and Court Farm Barn. Some of the former priory buildings, including the south-west tower, now form the Abbey Hotel, also Grade I listed. Cadw records medieval roots there and a vaulted 13th-century undercroft. The buildings were later converted into a residence in the 19th century.

How do you get to Llanthony?

The nearest sizeable town is Abergavenny, from which the road runs about seven miles north up the Ewyas valley. Driving is the easiest option: the valley is remote and the lanes are narrow. It works well as a stop on a loop through the Black Mountains and on towards Hay-on-Wye.

When should you go, and how long do you need?

The ruins are open to explore all year, but they look best in dry weather from late spring to early autumn, when the surrounding hills are clearly visible. An hour covers the ruins; allow half a day if you add a walk in the valley and a meal at the hotel.

Frequently asked questions

Is Llanthony Priory free to visit? Yes. The main ruins are in Cadw's care and entry is free.

Where is Llanthony Priory? In the Vale of Ewyas, Monmouthshire, inside Brecon Beacons National Park, roughly seven miles north of Abergavenny.

Is it the same as Llanthony Secunda? No. Llanthony Secunda is the later priory the canons founded in Gloucester after leaving Wales in 1135.

Can you stay overnight at the priory? Yes. The Abbey Hotel, a Grade I listed building, occupies part of the former priory buildings.