asingwerk Abbey near Holywell in north Wales was founded in around 1131 by Ranulph Earl of Chester as part of the Savignac Order. King Henry II may have provided the abbey with extra endowments. Basingwerk became a daughter house of Buildwas Abbey in Shropshire when the Savignac Order merged with the larger Cistercian Order. Basingwerk Abbey served as a hospital to pilgrims going to Holywell in medieval times, and now marks the start of the North Wales Pilgrim's Way. This is walking route of over 130 miles along the north coast of Wales taking in small churches that would have been used by the pilgrims as they made their way to Holywell. At the end of the route is Bardsey Island known as the 'Island of 20,000 Saints' where once stood a monastery. King Henry VIII had the buildings demolished in 1537.