Around Llandogo

The Wye Valley

The Wye Valley is an internationally protected landscape and area of national beauty, recognised for its dense woodlands which is rich in wildlife and geographical features. The Wye Valley Walk begins in Chepstow, through Tintern & Llandogo, continuing north to the slopes of Plynimon in Powys, criss-crossing the border between England and Wales. It follows the river valley for 136 miles through beautiful landscape.

Llandogo ~ A Short History

Llandogo is a small village based in the heart of the Wye Valley, set on a steep hillside overlooking the River Wye. The village is surrounded by wonderful woodland and riverside walks. Paths zigzag alongside Cleddon Shoots, and the Wye Valley Walk leads above the village.

The village derives its name from St Oudoceus, or Euddogwy, supposedly the third Bishop of Llandaff but who in fact probably lived in the 7th century. He came to live in the area and died here around the year 700. The present church is on the site of a 7th or 8th century foundation, but was wholly rebuilt in 1860.

Llandogo was historically a port, renowned at one time for building of the trow, a flat-bottomed river boat that until the 19th century was used for trading up and down the River Wye, also on the River Severn shore and across the Severn estuary and the Bristol Channel to Bristol. The boat gave its name to the historic Llandoger Trow pub close to the harbour in Bristol. The bell of 'The William and Sarah', one of the last Chepstow barges to trade on the river, can be found in the bell tower of the church at Llandogo.