Scheduled MonumentsWalesBasingwerk Abbey
Medieval · Abbey

Basingwerk Abbey

Flintshire, Wales
Cadw SAM FL001
Period
Medieval
Site type
Abbey
Broad class
Religious, Ritual and Funerary
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Basingwerk Abbey is a Cistercian monastery founded in the twelfth century in the vale of Greenfield near Holywell in Flintshire, North Wales. The abbey was established circa 1132 as a daughter house of Savigny Abbey in Normandy, later becoming affiliated to the Cistercian order when Savigny merged with Cîteaux in 1147. The surviving ruins include substantial remains of the church, chapter house, and ranges of the claustral buildings, which demonstrate the characteristic austere architectural style typical of Cistercian foundations. The abbey remained in occupation until its dissolution in the sixteenth century and is now one of the most complete monastic ruins in Wales, presenting a clear plan of the medieval monastic complex and functioning as an important witness to religious life in medieval North Wales.

Basingwerk Abbey is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference FL001. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Basingwerk Abbey?

Basingwerk Abbey is a Cistercian monastery founded in the twelfth century in the vale of Greenfield near Holywell in Flintshire, North Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference FL001.

What period does Basingwerk Abbey date from?

Basingwerk Abbey dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a abbey. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Basingwerk Abbey?

Basingwerk Abbey is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is FL001.

What other scheduled monuments are near Basingwerk Abbey?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Hafod Wood Moated Site (5.5 km), Round Barrow 180m E of Mwccwd (7.2 km), Bryn y Cwm Mound & Bailey Castle (7.3 km).

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