Strata Florida Abbey

Car park
Gift shop
Dogs welcome

Visitor Notice

Strata Florida Abbey visitor centre is now open and welcomes visitors daily from 10am–4pm until 31 October 2025.

Find out how a partnership between Cadw and the Strata Florida Trust is safeguarding the future of this treasured Welsh heritage site:

Strata Florida visitor centre reopens thanks to local support | Cadw

Please check the Strata Florida website for more information: Visit Us

Grand medieval abbey where generations of Welsh princes are buried

The Cistercian abbey of Strata Florida (‘Vale of Flowers’ in Latin) has stood on lush meadows beside the banks of the river Teifi since 1184.

It was established by white-robed Cistercian monks as part of a movement that spread like a tidal wave across the whole of western Europe in the early Middle Ages. Soon it became the most famous church in Wales after St Davids – a place of pilgrimage and a linchpin of Welsh culture.

There are unmistakable echoes of greatness among the ruins. The best preserved and most famous feature of Strata Florida is the richly decorated west doorway into the church, offering a view down the nave to where the high altar once stood.

You can still see some of the incredible decorated tiles that would have covered the floors of the church. Griffins, birds and fleurs-de-lis surround the enigmatic ‘Man with the Mirror’. This 14th-century figure dressed in a doublet and close-fitting hood is reckoned to be a symbol of vanity.

Strata Florida, or Ystrad Fflur as local people know it, is the final resting place for generations of medieval Welsh princes. The great medieval poet Dafydd ap Gwilym is said to be buried under a yew in the churchyard. There is a memorial to him in the north transept of the church. No wonder it’s been called ‘the Westminster Abbey of Wales’.

More about Strata Florida Abbey

Opening times & prices

Opening times

1st April - 31st March	10am-4pm
Last admission 30 minutes before closing Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January

Visitor information

Bike storage

Bike storage area available in car park or close to the monument.

Car park

Free car parking available for visitors.

Disabled person access

The Visitor Centre is accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs.

There is parking nearby and a drop off space directly outside. There are no steps to enter or exit the Visitor Centre.

The grounds are laid to grass.

Picnic tables and benches available, 1 with a wheelchair section.

Dogs welcome

Dogs on short leads welcome to access ground floor levels of the site.

Walking difficulty

Terrain: Level 2 – Easy

Gift shop

Tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks are available along with a range of beautiful and locally sourced produce, books, and gifts.

Picnic tables

Picnic tables and benches available, 1 with a wheelchair section.

Drone policy

Please read our policy information about flying drones at Cadw monuments: read the guidance

No smoking

Smoking is not permitted.

Health & Safety

The visitor car park is positioned across from the monument, further up the road, be mindful that there are moving farm vehicles using this road regularly.

Please use the dedicated car park and do not park on the road adjacent to the abbey.

This site is relatively flat but there are several low-profile walls, please be mindful when exploring these areas and do not climb on the remains.

The grave section towards the rear of the site requires a small step down into the area to view the interpretation.

You are required to step over a small wall, this is not strenuous, however some may require assistance from others.

You may need to divert from the path onto the grass to see some areas of the abbey if you want to view it from all angles, however, the majority can be seen from the path.

As with all ancient monuments there is always a risk of stones being dislodged in bad weather, however, we manage this through extensive monitoring.

Climbing may result in serious injury.

There are several wild plants and flowers, although these are great pollinators, they may be poisonous to visitors and animals, we strongly advise you not to touch or allow dogs to eat any vegetation.

Please watch our health & safety film before visiting Cadw sites.

Iechyd a Diogelwch / Health and Safety

Please report any anti-social behaviour such as climbing, setting fires, graffiti etc. to CadwAccidentsReports@gov.wales

The following signs can be found around the site at key areas of risk, please pay attention where appropriate.