Tintern Abbey is situated between Monmouth and Chepstow in the historic abbey town of Tintern. You can find your way there along the Chepstow Road from either direction.
Tintern Abbey was established in by Cistercean Monks during the 11th century. It became the focus of attention and a tourist attraction when the artist Turner painted it from many aspects at dawn, noon and dusk. Its haunting beauty is made even more poignant by the atmosphere of divine presence.
In 2006 a local artist/sculptor was commissioned to sculpt a statue of Mary & Baby Jesus. The former sculpture had been damaged during the WW II and the St. Mary Chapel in the west wing badly damaged.
This statue is unlike any seen in Europe or the U.K. depicting Mary holding Jesus as a toddler in her arms. In His outstretched hand sits a small bird. The statue was dedicated in a ceremony in 2007 by the Bishop. In my opinion it has become the focal point of Tintern Abbey and well worth seeing.
The entrance to the Abbey is also the local tourist information bureau. The ticket price is well worth the excursion. Afterwards, an afternoon tea at the Angel Pub or The George is a great way to finish the day. There is a local cricket field nearby, so if you happen to be there on match day it is very relaxing to sit outside of the Angel Pub and watch the match. Or you could do like many visitors and bring a picnic to eat within the Abbey grounds. Public toilets are very close by with wheel chair access and very clean too.
In July, 2011 an international conference called Tintern & The Romantics brought speakers to lecture on topics of British poetry, art, aesthetic theory, picturesque tourism and political intervention. The event was held on banks of The Wye River in Tintern with leaders from Aberystwyth University and Nottingham University. So I would recommend Tintern Village with its George Inn and many B& B's as a viable place to hold similar conference for lecture series or for an artist excursion.
