TINTERN Abbey has been highlighted as one of Britain’s most impressive historic monastic sites in a new travel feature celebrating the country’s medieval ruins.

The Wye Valley landmark was included alongside famous sites including Fountains Abbey, Whitby Abbey, Glastonbury Abbey and several historic abbeys across the Scottish Borders.

The feature described Tintern as the “crowning jewel of Welsh monastic architecture”, praising its dramatic position beside the River Wye and beneath the densely wooded slopes of the valley.

Founded in 1131, Tintern was the second Cistercian abbey established in Britain, although much of the spectacular church which visitors see today dates from an ambitious rebuilding during the late 13th century.

Its surviving Gothic architecture, including the Great West Front and striking open-air tracery of the East Window, has helped make the abbey one of the best-known historic attractions in the Wye Valley.

The ruins have also played an important part in the area’s cultural history, inspiring generations of artists, writers and visitors drawn to the picturesque landscape.

William Wordsworth famously drew inspiration from the area for his 1798 poem commonly known as Tintern Abbey, while celebrated artist JMW Turner was among those who depicted the ruins and surrounding valley.

The travel feature placed Tintern among ten notable abbey ruins across Britain, with sites chosen for their architecture, history and dramatic settings.

Other locations featured included Rievaulx Abbey, Bolton Priory, Kirkstall Abbey, Melrose Abbey, Jedburgh Abbey and Dryburgh Abbey.

Tintern Abbey, which is managed by Cadw, was listed as an example of Decorated Gothic architecture.

The abbey remains popular with visitors exploring Monmouthshire and the wider Wye Valley throughout the year.

Its inclusion provides further recognition for the Wye Valley as a visitor destination combining spectacular scenery with centuries of history, architecture, literature and heritage on both sides of the England-Wales border.