Abergavenny town walls

Abergavenny town walls are medieval defensive structures built from stone to protect the settlement. Fragments of these walls remain visible throughout the town center, where they have been incorporated into existing buildings or stand as separate sections.

The settlement was first defended with wooden structures after the Norman invasion in the 11th century. In the late 13th century these were replaced with stone walls, which offered much stronger protection and lasted far longer.

The walls represent how a medieval town defended itself and shaped its daily life within defined boundaries. Today you can see how later buildings were constructed using and around these old stones, showing continuity between past and present.

The remaining wall sections are accessible from public streets, particularly visible near Neville Street where they maintain their original construction. A walk through the town center allows you to trace different parts of the former perimeter at a leisurely pace.

The walls were partly funded by a tax collected on goods entering the town, a practical way for residents to invest in their own defense. This system shows how medieval communities paid directly for the infrastructure that protected them.

Location: Abergavenny

Elevation above the sea: 62.3 m

GPS coordinates: 51.82159,-3.01691

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:22