SUMMARY OF POSSIBLE POINTS OF INTERESTS FOR SCHOOLS

We believe Abbey Passage Farm may offer much to interest school children and students. The long stretch of tidal river bank with its dramatic meander, the broad-leaved woodland and the disused quarry could be of interest to geographers, geologists and environmentalists Local history will be found in the old pigsties, the eighteenth century barn and the small ruined building - possibly a labourer’s cottage . The farmhouse itself was fairly recently demolished but there are rumours of an old passage under the river to the Abbey and the remains of the old ferry landing stage can still be seen. The Abbey itself is of course of national historic interest as a powerful Cistercian Abbey which suffered Henry VIIIth’s wrath but remains and immensely imposing ruin. Even as a ruin the Abbey’s reputation is international. Numerous foreign visitors flock to Tintern to see the Abbey painted by Turner and the subject of Wordsworth’s ‘Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey’. The fields opposite the Abbey offer an unrestricted view for photography, sketching or simple appreciation!

Environmental interest The woodland is ancient broad-leaved - an extension of Caswell wood which is SSSI protected - but had been completely neglected. We have therefore started a program of tidying and coppicing. The hedges were equally neglected but all have now been coppiced , replanted and double fenced. Wildlife is well-established - rabbits can always be seen , mink and otter disclose their presence by leaving their footprints on the river bank Numerous fox dens and badger sets can be identified. There are some beautiful oak trees and we wondered if younger children might like to do a project on oak trees and then come and plant there own oak seedlings (we can supply plenty of these.) The neglected pasture of the Abbey fields were transformed by our Highland cattle although these have long since gone to new homes. At present three donkeys preside over the fields.

The River

The river itself will be of interest to geographers given its near 180 degree turn at this point, its tidal reverses and the extreme tidal rise and fall. The muddy riverbank is an excellent source of footprints. Supervision is of course essential.

The Quarry Fossils are apparently to be found in the quarry (though we haven’t found them yet) and the rock strata is fascinating and dramatically visible. The stone is Tintern sandstone (Devonian sandstone) and it is very possible that much of it was used to help build Tintern Abbey.

Maps
We have an OS digital multi-layer data map of the area so we can print hard copy maps for students or teachers. We also have copies of old Ordinance Survey maps of the area.

Art

The fields directly opposite the Abbey, the picturesque quarry and the entire landscape offer exceptional opportunities for painting, sketching and photography.