We’re often asked, “What can we see and do in Cil-y-cwm?” So here, we tell you all about the places you can discover on foot or by car from Cae’r Beili. The village of Cil-y-cwm nestles in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales and on the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
Visit St. Michael’s Church, Cil-y-cwm
The Medieval Parish Church stands in the centre of the village. It is an imposing building with a fine tower and many curious features!
- The rare wall paintings which date from 1724 and were over-painted in 1986.
- The ten sided front – most are seven sided.
- The gargoyles which grimmace at passers by!
- A number of yew trees including one which is over fifteen hundred years old.
- Ysgoldy Fach which overlooks the River Gwenlais. This school house was one of Griffith Jones’ Welsh Circulating Schools in the 18th century.
So, the village Church is well worth a visit!
Learn more about the Cobbled Gutters
The cobbled gutters at the side of the road in of Cil-y-cwm are a unique feature. During the height of the droving trade in the 18th century, droves of cattle, sheep and other animals went East to the large English markets. Cil-y-cwm was a thriving place, with 5 ale houses and numerous blacksmiths.The cobbled gutters were drinking troughs for the animals and are important surviving evidence of the droving trade.
Discover Cwm Rhaeadr
Cwm Rhaeadr is a lovely remote woodland in Cil-y-cwm and home to the highest waterfall in Carmarthenshire. There are walking trails through the forest including one to the waterfall and one that is suitable for off road mobility schooters. There is also a wonderful red mountain bike trail which offers stunning views over the valley and waterfall. MBR magazine rates it as one of the best trails in the UK.
According to tradition, Henry Tudor rode a horse bred in this area to the Battle of Bosworth, where he won the crown of England. Look out for a wooden sculpture of this legendary horse on your way around the forest!
Cwm Rhaeadr is also a haven for many species of wildlife and plant life including pine martens and the red kite, a range of delicate wildflowers, mosses, ferns and fungi.
The perfect place for quiet contemplation or for adventurous outdoor activities. It really is well worth a visit and one of Carmarthenshire’s best kept secrets!
https://naturalresources.wales/days-out/places-to-visit/south-west-wales/cwm-rhaeadr/?lang=en
Explore Mynydd Mallaen
Mynydd Mallaen towers over Cil-y-cwm and is part of the Cambrian Mountains. The highest point ( Crugiau Merched) is 1516 feet and it has commanding 360 degree views. There are also several standing stones.
Crugiau Ladis are two peculiar heaps of stone. Two ladies from London were exiled from their homes and lived in this area. However, the change of lifestyle was so great that they gathered heaps of stone from the top of which they could see London. See if you can spot the London Eye or The Tower of London!
Without a doubt, Mynydd Mallaen is the place to be if you’re longing for peace, isolation, wildness and the freshest of fresh air!
https://www.thecambrianmountains.co.uk/
Admire Neuadd Fawr
Neuadd Fawr was the “big house” of Cil-y-cwm. However, now it is one of the “Lost Houses of Wales”. It was most prosperous before the Great War when it owned and controlled large parts of the village. The house had a backdrop of Mynydd Mallaen and Craig Rhosan and a foreground of Wellingtonias.
Take a walk along The River Tywi
The river Tywi is the backbone of Cil-y-cwm . It is the longest river which flows entirely in Wales being 75 miles long and it weaves its way from its source in the Cambrian Mountains to the sea at Carmarthen Bay. The Tywi is a fast flowing river and has many deep pools which are homes to some of Wales’ best fishing with a good supply of salmon and trout. Also the Tywi is the site of the old Welsh tradition of coracle fishing.
” And river Tywi men have said
Is the lovliest river God has made.”
Dudley G. Davies
Stop by Dolauhirion Bridge
Dolauhirion Bridge is one of the many bridges that cross the river Tywi. It was built in 1773 at a cost of £800 by Thomas Edwards, the son of the eminent bridge builder William Edwards, who is best remembered for his famous bridge at Pontypridd. The single arch bridge has circular openings in the haunches, which relieve stress on the main structure in times of flood. Dolauhirion Bridge is recognised as one of the twelve most beautiful bridges in the world, so please make time to see and admire it!
We hope that we have aroused your curiosity and enticed you to explore our charming village. Cil-y-cwm will not disappoint you!