Abbey cwmhir Heritage Trust

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Welcome to the Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust

Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust’s purpose is to advance the understanding of the Cistercian Monastery at Abbeycwmhir, Radnorshire by providing information, events, research opportunities and continued learning in order to reveal the importance of this site in Welsh history and culture.

We host a range of regular events such as talks and tours of the Abbey.  We also have a major community heritage project ‘Demystifying the Abbey’. The project involves a range of aspects of Abbeycwmhir’s heritage such as collecting oral memories, desk research and field research into the sacred landscape within which Cwmhir Abbey sits and we are fortunate to have an extensive number of volunteers/researchers active in taking aspects of this project forward.

An academic Research Group has been established to advise on the project, including members of the Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust, Cadw, the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust and the Sacred Landscapes Project, based in Strata Florida.

A short video has been produced which gives a personal overview of the Abbey and the results of the photogrammetric survey of the Abbey Precinct.

Play Video
Burial Area

Photography of parch marks in the summer of 2018 by RCAHMW revealed a possible burial ground. A limited excavation by CPAT found evidence that this was correct.

The Valley Site

Abbeycwmhir is situated in a valley. Its precinct extends a significant distance from the existing ruins in both directions along the valley.

Community

Abbey Cwmhir is one of the top historic sites in mid-Wales.  The Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Project aims to involve the immediate community of Abbeycwmhir and the surrounding communities of Radnorshire and beyond in establishing it as a focal point of local identity.  Involvement in the Project’s programmes of research, education and participation will generate lasting benefit through a wider awareness of the rich history of a site spanning some 850 years.  The information gained through the Project will assist in the  Abbey’s long term preservation and conservation.

Visit the site

Access to the Abbey ruins is kindly given by the Hamer family of Home Farm, Abbeycwmhir.

The Abbey of Cwmhir is in Abbeycwmhir LD1 6PH, near Llandrindod Wells, County Town of Powys, Mid Wales, UK.

The Abbey can be found through Home Farm in the centre of the village. The Abbey & Cadw Exhibition Room is open all the time. It’s not far from the beautiful Parish Church of St Marys and the Happy Union Inn. (Check pub opening times from mid-evening only 01597 851203).

Ordnance Survey Ref:( Landranger 147 or Explorer 214) SO 055711

Abbeycwmhir is on Glyndwrs Way National Trail and on Cycle Route 825.

Parking is available outside Home Farm. The nearest Train station is Penybont halt. Buses will stop at the junction of the Abbeycwmhir road with the A483.