One of my favourite spots for a winter jaunt is a riverside village with striking historical ruins, proper pubs, and scenic walks.
I’m going to go against the grain and say that winter is probably my favourite time to visit Wales’s coastlines, mountains and small villages. I think our lovely landscapes are most enjoyable when the summer crowds have slipped away, and frost covers the peaks, and the wind whips along the craggy coastline.
One of the main benefits of a winter trip is that it can be quieter; another bonus is that stays can be cheaper (especially if you bag a great deal). Accommodation-wise, I’ve found that you can get some pretty good deals in the off-season – especially if you visit midweek rather than at the weekend.
One of my favourite spots for a winter jaunt is a riverside village with striking historical ruins, proper pubs, and scenic walks.
This small village is found in the Wye Valley, which borders England and Wales and is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
It’s a peaceful part of Wales with rolling countryside, attractive market towns, hiking trails, mountains, and outdoor activities.
About five miles from Chepstow, Tintern is a scenic riverside village worth visiting. Famous for its ruined Cistercian abbey, Tintern has spectacular views, river walks and a smattering of dog-friendly pubs and cafes.
The real showstopper here is Tintern Abbey, one of our greatest monastic ruins, the best-preserved medieval abbey in Wales, and the second Cistercian foundation in Britain.
This roofless marvel was founded in 1131 by Cistercian monks and has a long history, including the dissolution of the monasteries, which led to the abbey slowly turning into a majestic ruin.
Tintern Abbey isn’t just a romantic ruin; it’s a place bursting with history. It was the first spot in Britain to produce brass and churn out wire on an industrial scale.
And the abbey’s dramatic, sprawling ruins? They’ve captured the imaginations of greats like William Wordsworth, who wrote poetry about it, and JMW Turner, who captured its unique beauty in paint.
Today, you can visit this important heritage site in Wales and marvel at the scale of the roofless abbey and the British Gothic architecture. Tickets can be bought on arrival at the visitor centre, and a selection of guidebooks can help you learn more about this beautiful abbey.
There’s also a gift shop in the visitor centre that’s packed with a decent range of Welsh souvenirs, including Carrie Elspeth Jewellery, Welsh slate gifts, wooden toys, Ewenny Pottery, Tweedmill Blankets, Melintregwynt Products, Caldey Chocolates, and Penderyn Whisky. So you can stock up on gifts or spoil yourself.
I’ve visited this astonishing site many times, and I never get bored of wandering around the romantic ruins, taking snaps, and even having a picnic in the grounds (I recommend packing some Snowdonia cheese and Tregroes crackers).
Around the corner from Tintern Abbey, you’ll find Abbey Mill, an award-winning family business trading in Tintern village since 1936.
This Independent craft and shopping complex has a recently renovated old water wheel and offers coffee, crafts, clothes, food, cider, and gifts. It also hosts various events, including raft races, vintage car shows, tractor festivals, bike rallies, and live music.
The Filling Station Cafe is also a great place to stop after exploring the monastery. It serves freshly brewed coffee, teas, cakes, and lush sandwiches. I highly recommend the coronation chicken panini.
If you’re after a pint with a view, the Anchor Inn has a large beer garden, perfect for the summer months or as a warming post-walk stop in winter.
This cosy pub was once the Ferryman’s cottage, an ancient building connected to Tintern Abbey’s water gate, a thirteenth-century arch and slipway, from which a ferry transported people and goods to England on the other side of the Wye.
The bar is in the original cider mill of Tintern Abbey and offers a large range of locally brewed beers, ales, and ciders. It also offers fabulous, unspoilt views of the Gothic abbey, a children’s playground, and a large sports field. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
Nearby, the Wye Valley Hotel offers a warm welcome and freshly made dishes. This small, family-run country inn is where you can feast on a post-hike meal by the crackling fire in the cosy bar, unwind in the light-filled dining room complete with inviting reading nooks and book a stay in one of the eight en-suite rooms.
If you love hiking like me, this entire area is a hotspot for walkers and cyclists due to its ideal location along walking and cycling paths. It’s located on the Wye Valley Walk and just off the Offa’s Dyke walk.
I particularly love exploring the riverside trails in winter as it’s often less crowded and you might even get a sprinkling of snow or a dusting of frost covering the leafy paths.
There’s also a gentle riverside walk that stretches from St Michael’s Church to Tintern Old Station. Another option is the old railway line to Brockweir, which starts at Old Station Tintern.
One of the best long-distance hikes in this area is the 136-mile Wye Valley Walk, a footpath in Wales and England that follows the River Wye.
It’s a beautiful trail that passes small orchards, postcard-perfect villages, and rolling fields.
If you don’t fancy trekking the entire trail, the Chepstow to Tintern section isn’t too taxing if you’re an experienced walker and takes you on a winding track where you’ll spot wildlife and heritage features.
If you take the circular route, you’ll pass “Limekilns Catch” and spot a small path leading to an old Tintern Limekiln used from the 1700s to 1902.
You’ll also be treated to an utter highlight of the walk: the Eagle’s Nest viewpoint. On the edge of the steep Wyndcliff, 700ft above the Wye, this is the highest point of the Piercefield Walks, with outstanding views of the river, Wintour’s Leap beyond. Stop here for a rest, soak up the view, and get some epic snaps for your socials.
Accommodation-wise, there are several pubs with rooms and hotels in the village and the surrounding area. You can often find deals during the off-season in Wales.
If you do your research and check sites like Booking.com, Sykes Cottages, and Groupon, you can find bargainous off-season prices on hotels and cosy self-catering stays.
