Gwent is a preserved county in southeast Wales with historical ties to the ancient Kingdom of Gwent and Monmouthshire, maintaining cultural and ceremonial significance.
Raglan Castle is a late medieval ruin located in Monmouthshire, Wales, known for its large hexagonal Great Tower, historic deer parks, and Renaissance-style gardens. Visitors can explore extensive remains of the castle's defensive structures, grand gatehouse, and terraces overlooking the surrounding countryside. Maintained by Cadw, it is a significant heritage site with rich history from the 15th to 17th centuries.
Monmouth Castle is a historic Norman castle ruin located in Monmouth, Wales, known as the birthplace of King Henry V. Visitors can explore the outdoor remains of the castle and learn about its significance during the English Civil War, alongside a regimental museum housed in nearby Great Castle House.
Newport Castle is a 14th-century ruined castle located on the west bank of the River Usk in Newport, Wales. It features historical architecture including a vaulted audience chamber and once served as an administrative and residential fortress. Today, mainly the east side of the ruins remains visible near the city's inner ring road.
White Castle is a well-preserved medieval fortress in Monmouthshire, Wales, notable for its large outer ward and pear-shaped inner ward surrounded by water-filled moats. Built and modified under the direction of Edward I, it offers visitors the experience of exploring significant historic defensive structures primarily outdoors.
Clytha Park is a neoclassical 19th-century country house and estate in Monmouthshire, Wales, notable for its architectural significance and historic gates and castle. Owned by the National Trust, the house is not open to individual visitors but can be visited by heritage groups by appointment, and the surrounding parkland is a Grade I listed historic landscape.
Newport city centre in Wales is a vibrant area featuring extensive shopping streets, historic markets, modern retail complexes like Friars Walk and Kingsway Shopping Centre, and notable buildings like Chartist Tower. Visitors can enjoy indoor shopping, dining, and leisure activities alongside cultural and historic attractions.
Longtown Castle is a ruined Norman motte-and-bailey castle in Herefordshire, England, featuring a notable circular stone keep built in the 12th century. The site includes earthworks from a former Roman fort and offers outdoor exploration of medieval fortifications, maintained by English Heritage as a historic tourist attraction.
Caerphilly Castle is a large medieval concentric castle in Wales, known for its significant water defenses including artificial lakes and moats. It is the largest castle in Wales and among the largest in the UK, featuring historic gatehouses, a Great Hall, and notable ruins, managed by Cadw as a tourist attraction.
Tredegar House is a grand 17th-century Carolean mansion near Newport, Wales, set within 90 acres of landscaped gardens. Once the home of the influential Morgan family, it is a Grade I listed historic property managed by the National Trust. Visitors can explore the richly restored mansion and its extensive gardens, with a history spanning over 500 years. The venue has also been used for various filming productions and hosted an annual classic car show.
The Port Wall in Chepstow is a medieval defensive stone wall dating back to the late 13th century, originally enclosing the historic town and port. Visitors can explore substantial remaining sections of this Grade I listed structure which served as a market toll barrier and defense. The site offers outdoor historical heritage experience with connection to Chepstow Castle and the River Wye.
Chepstow is a historic market town in Monmouthshire, Wales, known for its Norman castle overlooking the River Wye, picturesque riverside, cultural festivals, and as a gateway to the Wye Valley area.
Isca Augusta in Caerleon, Wales, is the site of a Roman legionary fortress with extensive archaeological remains including an amphitheatre, bath house, barracks, and fortress walls, complemented by the National Roman Legion Museum showcasing artifacts from the site.
Caerleon is a historic town in Newport, Wales, known for its significant Roman legionary fortress remains, rich medieval history, and strong Arthurian legend connections. It offers visitors a walkable town centre with museums, cultural festivals, riverside walks, and numerous historic landmarks.
Skenfrith Castle is a ruined Norman castle in Skenfrith village, Monmouthshire, Wales, historically part of the Three Castles lordship. It features stone fortifications including a circular keep and curtain walls, set beside the River Monnow. Now managed by Cadw and owned by the National Trust, it is open to the public for exploration of the outdoor ruins.
Runston Chapel is the ruin of an early 12th-century medieval chapel situated on the site of the deserted medieval village of Runston in Monmouthshire, Wales. The chapel, known for its Romanesque architectural style, stands as a historic hilltop landmark cared for by Cadw and designated as a scheduled monument.
Hen Gwrt Medieval Moated Site is an outdoor historic location featuring a well-preserved square moat from a vanished medieval manor, originally associated with bishops and later a hunting lodge. It is open year-round with free entry and welcomes dogs on short leads.
Castell Coch is a 19th-century Gothic Revival castle in Tongwynlais, Wales, built atop medieval ruins and featuring lavish Victorian interiors designed by William Burges. Visitors can explore the castle's historic rooms and surrounding beech woodland, a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest, with opportunities for walking and nearby golf. The castle is managed by Cadw and open to the public, offering a distinctive blend of indoor architectural grandeur and outdoor natural beauty.
Grosmont Castle is a ruined Norman-era castle located in Grosmont, Monmouthshire, Wales, featuring stone fortifications and historic architecture, open to the public and managed by the Cadw heritage agency.
The Kymin is a historic hill near Monmouth, Wales, famous for its neoclassical Roundhouse and Naval Temple monuments, offering scenic views and managed by the National Trust as a public heritage site.
Chepstow Castle is a largely intact medieval stone castle located in Chepstow, Wales, notable as Britain's oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification. Visitors can explore extensive outdoor ruins including multiple baileys, battlements, and historic towers, set dramatically above the River Wye cliffs. The castle played significant historical roles from the Norman era through the English Civil War and today serves as a popular heritage site managed by Cadw.
Blaenafon Ironworks is a historic industrial site showcasing the remains of blast furnaces, foundry, and worker cottages that played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution with engaging exhibitions and outdoor exploration. Visitors can learn about the ironworks' impact on the world and explore both indoor exhibits and extensive outdoor industrial ruins, plus enjoy amenities like a gift shop and refreshments.
Blaenavon is a historic Welsh town famous for its industrial heritage as part of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site. It offers museums like Big Pit National Coal Museum, historic ironworks, and scenic walking opportunities in a picturesque setting.
Llanthony Priory is a historic Grade I listed ruined Augustinian priory situated in a secluded valley in the Black Mountains, Wales, offering visitors an outdoor experience to explore ancient architecture and scenic landscapes with free access.
Tintern Abbey is a ruined medieval Cistercian abbey founded in 1131, located beside the River Wye in Monmouthshire, Wales. Its impressive gothic ruins are a popular outdoor tourist attraction rich in history and celebrated in art and literature. Visitors can explore historic ruins with scenic riverside views and learn about its cultural and industrial past.
10–11 Oct (this weekend)
See birds of prey in flight at Tintern Abbey and learn about their lives and the role of falconry in Tudor times. Visitors can also have their photo taken with the birds.
Tretower Castle is a Grade I-listed ruined castle in Powys, Wales, featuring a 12th-century motte and bailey design with a prominent 13th-century cylindrical keep and stone bailey walls with towers. Visitors can explore the historic ruins set in a triangular plan, reflecting its medieval military origins.