Sightseeing tour of Wye Valley Heritage Trail in Wales

We leave the capital city and drive eastwards to the city of Newport and the famous Transporter Bridge. Built in 1906, with a horizontal beam 54m above road level and towers which stand 74m high, this bridge is a Grade 1 listed structure and is the largest of only eight which remain worldwide. ( * Operation of bridge is seasonal and is closed from 01st October  -  01st April and a visit is therefore not included in this tour during these dates )

Having marvelled at early 20th century engineering we continue our journey, stepping back in time and travel to the town of Caerleon, site of one of Britain’s three permanent Roman legionary fortresses. Here we visit the Roman Baths where Roman soldiers spent their free time, the museum which displays life in the town 2000 years ago and the amphitheatre where gladiators fought to the death!

Continuing our tour we travel to the border town of Monmouth travelling through the picturesque town of Usk, also known as the 'Town of Flowers'; famous for the Victorian clock which is the centrepiece for 'Usk in Bloom'. Known for being the  birthplace of King Henry V, Monmouth is also where the rivers Wye, Monnow and Trothy meet.  The town is home to the Monnow Bridge, the sole remaining mediaeval fortified river bridge in Britain where the gate tower stands actually on the bridge. Here you will have free time to wander a town renowned for its numerous independent shops, friendly coffee and eating houses, where lunch can be taken at leisure.

Suitably refreshed we leave Monmouth and journey through the county of Monmouthshire to Tintern Abbey. The Cistercian abbey of Tintern is one of the greatest monastic ruins of Wales. From 1131 until 1349 the abbey was thriving until the arrival of the Black Death .Although badly affected, the abbey continued to operate until 1536, when it was part of the dissolution of monasteries under King Henry VIII. Within years the lead was stripped and the building fell into decay. Here you get the chance to explore the abbey ruins or take a walk along the banks of the river Wye that runs alongside the abbey or browse the gift shop.

Our last stop is the town of Chepstow famous for Chepstow Castle which is the oldest surviving stone castle in Britain and Chepstow Bridge which is the world's largest iron arch road bridge, a bridge that will be 200 years old in July 2016.

With the tour at an end we make our way back to where it all began earlier in the day!