St Twrog's Chapel

St Twrog's Chapel is a ruined medieval chapel on a small tidal island in the Severn estuary, within the parish of Tidenham in the Forest of Dean district of Gloucestershire, England. Today only a low fragment of the building survives, but the site was once a busy place of pilgrimage.

What is St Twrog's Chapel?

The chapel was a small religious building dedicated to Twrog, a Welsh saint of the 6th century. The dedication is a reminder that the Severn was never a hard border: Welsh and English communities lived on both sides of the water and travelled across it. The ruin stands on St Twrog's Island, which has also been recorded under other names, including St Tecla's Island, Chapel Island and Chapel Rock. It lies close to Beachley Point, where the River Wye meets the Severn.

What can you see today?

Very little remains. The listed-building record, which gives the ruin Grade II status, describes a fragment of rubble masonry that includes one arched opening. There is no roof and no complete wall. The interest lies in the location, the estuary views and the history rather than in standing architecture.

Why did pilgrims come here?

In the Middle Ages the chapel attracted many visitors. Offerings at the site were valued at about £10 in 1400, a notable sum for such a small building. A papal document of 1405 refers to a large number of English and Welsh people resorting to it. The Gloucestershire Places of Worship database says the chapel was founded before 1290, so it predates the other churches in the area.

Who looked after it?

The Victoria County History links the chapel with an anchorite, a religious hermit, supported with grain and alms from the manor of Tidenham.

Why was it abandoned?

By 1535 the chapel's fortunes had declined. A diocesan survey of 1536 described the chapel as worthless, and by the 18th century it was a ruin.

Visiting tips

• The island can be reached on foot only at low tide, so check tide tables before you set out.
• The estuary has strong tides and soft mud. Do not stay out as the water returns.
• The nearest point of interest on land is Beachley Point, where the Wye and Severn meet.
• The ruin is small, so the visit works best combined with a walk along the estuary shore.

Frequently asked questions

Where is St Twrog's Chapel? On St Twrog's Island in the Severn estuary, near Beachley Point, in the parish of Tidenham, Gloucestershire.

Who was St Twrog? A Welsh saint of the 6th century, to whom the chapel was dedicated.

Can you walk to the chapel? Only at low tide. Plan around the tides and keep an eye on the water.

Is the chapel still in use? No. It has been a ruin since at least the 18th century, and only a fragment of masonry remains.