Thursday 15th May 2025
Today we packed up to head towards Stonehenge, but first we had a few more sites to visit in Wales. Our first stop was the Caerleon Roman Sites. The permanent legionary fortress was built in AD75 and was occupied for 200 years. You can visit the baths, the amphitheater and the barracks. We used our Cadw Explorer pass for entry to the baths. The baths has a multimedia display which makes it look like there is water and people swimming in the baths and plenty of explanatory panels. The amphitheater and the barracks are open sites. The National Roman Legion Museum is just around the corner from the baths and is free to enter.
Our next stop was a bit of a detour, but I was keen to see the place that inspired the poem, that inspired the name of the school I went to—Tintern Grammar. Tintern Abbey was founded in 1131. The buildings were upgraded in 1269 under the patronage of the powerful Marcher lords. Unfortunately it fell into ruin after King Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. This property was the final Cadw property we visited. We certainly got good use of our Explorer pass, visiting 9 sites on our seven days. We arrived around lunchtime so we had some lunch in the little cafe nearby before looking over the site. The ruins have helpful information boards to guide the visit. Afterwards we headed back to the cafe for scones and tea.
It was now time to say good bye to Wales and head back into England. We arrived at Finch Cottage, our accommodation near Stonehenge at about 4:30 pm. We relaxed for a while before going for dinner at Siam Smile Thai Kitchen in nearby Amesbury. The food was good and not too expensive. We enjoyed our meal here. After dinner it was back home to bed, because we had a super early start the next morning.
Total steps: 10,854
Comments
9 responses to “Wales Day 14: Caerleon Roman Sites, Tintern Abbey and on to England”
There’s something about ruins that makes them so atmospheric, especially with the history tied in. You really made the most of that Cadw pass, nine sites in seven days is impressive!
I like that you closed out your time in Wales with scones and tea – it’s been a while since I had a really good scone!
The seven days of sites were spread out over the whole of our Wales trip. Their 14-day pass allows entry to sites on 7 days and was so cheap compared to individual entries. G loves scones with jam and cream, so we had them a couple of times while we were away, but this was the best one.
Everything about that Abbey is calling to me. It looks like something straight out of a movie set. I can’t believe people used to live in and wander the halls of these places. There’s something hauntingly magical about how they look.
Scones and tea sounds like a fitting send off.
I know, they would have been amazing before they declined, although most likely very smelly due to lack of hygiene.
Is there anything better than an old Abbey or castle remains? So pretty. Look at you getting such great value out of your site seeing pass.
As always those old buildings…
I can see why Ken Follet wrote a whole series. They are just mesmerizing.
I know, the medieval builders were amazing.
I love old Abbeys, how beautiful! What an amazing place. I’ve never been to Wales.
Wales is so interesting and beautiful.