Hill forts · South Wales
Blestium
Also known as: Caer Rufeinig Blestiwm
In or near Wyesham.
Blestium — archaeological site in Monmouth, Wales, UK.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1 h–2 h
- Nearest railway station
- Rookwood · 7.6 km
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
- Wheelchair accessible
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Blestium, the nearest railway station is Rookwood, located 7.6 km away. The postcode for navigation is NP25 3ED. Entry to the hill-fort is free.
About
Blestium is a hill fort in the United Kingdom. Records date its origin to AD 55. Heritage designation: National Monuments of Wales. Wikidata describes it as: "archaeological site in Monmouth, Wales, UK". Coordinates: 51.8090°, -2.7170°.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2024
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Official information
The Shire Hall Museum in Monmouth is a historic site that showcases the history and heritage of Monmouth and the Wye Valley. Visitors can explore the restored Courtroom 1, which offers interactive experiences related to significant historical trials, including that of Chartist leader John Frost. The museum also serves as a community hub, hosting various local activities and events.
Protected designations
- Site of Special Scientific Interest: River Wye SSSI
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Wye Valley
Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.
From the Wikipedia article
Blestium (also Blestio in the Antonine Itinerary (Iter XIII)) was a small fort and iron working centre in the Roman province of Britannia Superior, part of Roman Britain. It has been identified with the site of the later town of Monmouth in south east Wales, located adjoining the confluence of the River Monnow with the River Wye. A plaque on a bank building in Munnow Street records its position.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The reference to Blestio in the Antonine Itinerary is the only one made to the settlement in Roman sources. It was located on the road between Caerleon (') and Silchester ('), midway between the fort at Usk (') and the iron making centre at ', believed to be at Weston under Penyard near Ross-on-Wye. It is suggested that the name may derive from the Greek word βλαστος, meaning "offshoot". It is now generally accepted that a Neronian or pre-Flavian military fort was established at Monmouth, perhaps before 55 AD, making it the earliest Roman fort in Wales. The fort was probably established, either by Publius Ostorius Scapula or his successor Aulus Didius Gallus, during the first advances of…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 51.8090, -2.7170
- District
- Monmouthshire
- Parish
- Monmouth
- Postcode
- NP25 3ED
- Parliamentary constituency
- Monmouthshire
- Phone
- Tel01600 775257
- Established
- 55
- Nearest railway station
- Rookwood — 7.6 km
- Opening
- Tuesday - Saturday 11am–4pm; closed Wednesday and Sunday
- Official site
- www.visitmonmouthshire.com
Sources
- wikidata: Q572453 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Blestium (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Blestium plaque, Monmouth - December 2013.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
The Robin Hood Inn
Memorials & monuments · 0.2 km
The Gatehouse
Historic pubs · 0.2 km
Monnow Gate
Natural landmarks · 0.2 km
The Vine Tree
Historic houses · 0.2 km
The Vine Tree
Historic pubs · 0.2 km
Monnow Bridge
Historic bridges · 0.2 km
Monnow Bridge
Literary houses · 0.2 km
Monmouth Millennium Wheel
Memorials & monuments · 0.2 km
St Thomas's Church
Historic churches · 0.2 km
Nelson Garden
Gardens · 0.2 km
The Riverside Hotel
Hotels · 0.2 km
The Cross
Memorials & monuments · 0.3 km
Nearby
📷 3Memorials & monuments · South Wales
The Robin Hood Inn
The Robin Hood Inn — a memorial in wales-south, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · South Wales
The Gatehouse
The Gatehouse in Wales South, United Kingdom.
📷 3Natural landmarks · South Wales
Monnow Gate
Monnow Gate — a other in wales-south, United Kingdom.
📷 4Historic houses · South Wales
The Vine Tree
The Vine Tree — a Grade II*-listed historic house in wales-south, United Kingdom.
📷 5📷 5Historic bridges · South Wales
Monnow Bridge
Monnow Bridge — a bridge in wales-south, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Blestium
Places to stay
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The Riverside Hotel
The Riverside Hotel — a hotel in wales south.
📷 5Campsites · South Wales
Monnow Bridge Caravan Site
Monnow Bridge Caravan Site — a campsite in wales south.
📷 5Campsites · South Wales
Glen Trothy C. & C. Park
Glen Trothy C. & C. Park — a campsite in wales south.
📷 5Campsites · South Wales
Broadstone Park Camping and Fishery
Broadstone Park Camping and Fishery — a campsite in wales south.
📷 5
📷 5Campsites · South Wales
Biblins Youth Campsite
Biblins Youth Campsite — a campsite in wales south.
Places to eat & drink
📷 5Historic pubs · South Wales
The Gatehouse
The Gatehouse in Wales South, United Kingdom.
📷 5
📷 5Historic pubs · South Wales
The Green Dragon, Monmouth
The Green Dragon, Monmouth in Wales South, United Kingdom.
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📷 5Historic pubs · South Wales
The Punch House
The Punch House — Historic pub — listed building or notable heritage status.
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Bartlow Hills
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Carn Pentyle-Hir & Adjacent Round Cairn — archaeological site in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, UK.
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Charterhouse Roman Town
Charterhouse Roman Town — town in the Roman province of Britannia, located close to Charterhouse-on-Mendip.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Blestium?
- Blestium is in South Wales, United Kingdom (postcode NP25 3ED), in the parish of Monmouth.
- What is Blestium?
- Blestium — archaeological site in Monmouth, Wales, UK.
- How do I get to Blestium?
- The nearest railway station is Rookwood, about 7.6 km away. Drivers can use postcode NP25 3ED.
- When was Blestium built?
- Built or established in 55.
- Is Blestium a listed building?
- Blestium is officially recognised as National Monuments of Wales listed.
- Is Blestium a protected site?
- Yes — Blestium is part of the River Wye SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest and the Wye Valley National Landscape (AONB).
- Is Blestium free to visit?
- Yes, Blestium is free to enter.
- How do I get to Blestium?
- The nearest railway station is Rookwood, about 7.6 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode NP25 3ED.