Situated 1200 feet above sea level, St Illtyd's Church is Grade 2 listed, and comes with spectacular views across to Welsh valleys. The first wooden church on this site was erected in the 5th Century. In the late 12th Century the White Monks rebuilt this stone church. Inside you will find a stone font dating back to the 9th Century.
Because of the circular churchyard, it is believed that the site may have been used for religious activity before Christianity came to Wales. This churchyard is a conservation area with a variety of rare plants and meadow flowers growing amongst the gravestones.
St Illtyd, the patron saint was born in Brittany in 420AD and came to Wales as a Knight and consecrated a Bishop in 463AD. He was also the founder of the Monastery at Llantwit Major and toured Wales preaching until he was killed at Crickhowell. Monks carried his body to Croslands, Mamhilad.
St Illtyd is said by some to have been the first cousin of King Arthur.
Near to the Chuch is a "tump" or a large mound (also known as a "motte") which may have been a fortification. At the rear of the Church, in a nearby field can be seen the remains of a ruined castle, Castell Tailorum, dating to the 13th century. Stories abound of tunnels emanating from this castle to a nearby hostelry and a farm. Both of these structures are on private land, but can be viewed from the churchyard.
Famous visitors to the church include:
Queen Anne
Sarah Churchill
Duchess of Marlborough
Archdeacon Coxe
John Wesley, 18th Century Preacher
King Charles 1st
Oliver Cromwell
For information from Friends of St Illtyd's Church, tel: 01495 320367
Blaenau Borough Council tel: 01495 355937/355972
www.illtyd.co.uk
email: friends@illtyd.co.uk
tourism@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
heritage@blaeau-gwent.gov.uk
Access is via valley roads and a steep narrow lane or across the mountain from neighbouring valleys.
St Illtyd's Church,
St Illtyd,
Aberbeeg,
Abertillery,
Blaenau Gwent NP13 2AY
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