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A Walk around Monmouth and the ‘Lost City of Trellech’ – all-day excursion
18 September, 2022
Bath & Counties Archaeological Society (BACAS) Event
A Walk around Monmouth and the ‘Lost City of Trellech’
Summary
The excursion will be in two parts, namely a guided walk around Monmouth in the morning and then after lunch (not included) you will be able to visit the ‘Lost City of Trellech’ or one of the nearby attractions such as The Kymin (NT) or the upper Wye Valley.
Monmouth
Monmouth is the historic county town of Monmouthshire, situated where the River Monnow joins the River Wye. Evidence of a Bronze Age boat building community and a Neolithic crannog in a now vanished lake was discovered in 2013. A small fort was built by the Romans (Blestium), as part of the border defences, which later became an established settlement by the Normans when they built a castle, around 1067. The medieval stone gated bridge is the only one of its type in Britain and one of only three remaining in Europe! The castle later came into the possession of the House of Lancaster, was extended and fortified by John of Gaunt and was where King Henry V was born in 1387. From the 14th C the town’s prosperity suffered following numerous attacks in the area by Owain Glyndwr, – however much of the medieval town layout survives and is recognizable in the street pattern today.
The Lost City of Trellech Project
Trellech is a private archaeological site, owned and currently being excavated by an archaeologist as an educational resource. Stuart Wilson purchased the field around twenty years ago after finding pottery thrown up by moles! Since then Stuart, with the help of volunteers has uncovered many buildings and artefacts pointing to the existence of ‘the lost city of Trellech’ – once the largest urban centre in Medieval Wales, which survived until it was sacked by Owain Glyndwr! The project is funded by donations.
Meeting time and place.
Meet at Shire Hall, Agincourt Square, Monmouth at 10.30am
There shouldn’t be any problem parking on a Sunday. The Glendower Street car park is the most convenient; the first two hours are free, after that it is £1 an hour – there are also lots of free on-street parking places.
Directions
Coming in from the traffic lights on the A40 at the Wye Bridge along the A466, take the first left (it’s only about 100 yards from the A40) and then after about 300 yards you will see the car park on your right. There are walking routes from the top of the car park into town, bringing you out into Agincourt Square.
Trellech (NP25 4PE) is about 15 mins drive south of Monmouth on the B4293 towards Llanishen.
Note
Please wear suitable clothing and comfortable footwear as we will be walking in public streets with traffic! Please remember that you are responsible for your own safety and by joining this BACAS walk you do so at your own risk
Maximum participants: 20
Cost: £12
GRADING OF WALKS
Events are graded from 1-4 in difficulty. The grading is found in the event description in the calendar on this page. Keep in mind that a change in weather conditions can make a walk more difficult than anticipated. All walks and activities demand a basic level of fitness, suitable footwear and waterproof clothing.
1 Easy – generally even ground with a few gentle slopes; no special fitness needed. Comfortable footwear required.
2 Moderate – for reasonably fit people, may include unsurfaced rural paths and tracks, moderate slopes, uneven surfaces, steps and stiles. Walking shoes/boots required.
3 Strenuous – for fit, experienced walkers, will include hills, uneven surfaces, tracks and may include muddy terrain. Walking boots and waterproof clothing are essential.
4 Confined spaces – including caves and attics. Locations may be dusty, slippery and dark.
Activity leaders carry out a risk assessment beforehand. Participants are required to provide emergency contact details before taking part in an activity – this information is destroyed by the group leader after the activity has taken place.