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St Mary's is a Grade I listed building dating from the 12th century, set back from the village street in a location of extraordinary peace with a view south across the valley.

This beautifully cared for church was largely rebuilt in 1566, and then remained virtually unchanged until the Georgian period.

Situated on the edge of an ancient village on the Caldicot Levels and dedicated to the self styled last King of Britain.

The church was largely rebuilt in 1859 and 1860 but has a 15th century tower, with a Tudor window and doorway.

The tall Saxon tower of St Mary's was not always at the west end of the church as the original nave was dismantled in the late Norman period and the Norman chancel became the nave, with a new chancel added in the late 13th century.

Having started as a mission church in 1890, the current permanent church, designed by William Leah, was built in 1938.

Llanwern is translated as ‘the church among the grove of the alders’, but today it is the sight, sound and smells of the nearby Llanwern steelworks which are the dominant feature of the landscape.

The church is one of the most spectacular Romanesque parish churches in England, its timeless rural setting does nothing to prepare you for the shock of the west front of the church and the riot of 12th century carving both outside and inside the building.