Basingwerk Abbey, Greenfield Valley, Near Holywell, Flintshire, North Wales, UK. The imposing ruins of Basingwerk Abbey were the home and workplace to monks of the Cistercian Order for 400 years. Founded in 1132 the monks were the first to harness the power of the Holywell Stream, using it to power mills, grind corn and to treat the wool from their large flocks of sheep. During the Middle Ages a thriving a thriving economic and Artistic Community developed around the Abbey and it became the home of many Welsh poets. The monks were finally driven out of the Abbey by Henry VIII's Dissolution Act in 1536. The roof any many stones were removed and used in other buildings.