Llanwrthwl: Landscape and Architectural History
Accommodation in Llanwrthwl
Llanwrthwl offers several distinct themes for a stay: the architectural history of churches and chapels, open upland common land and special wetland habitats. There is also a section of path that partly shares its route with National Cycle Route 8. If you are looking for a holiday rental, these themes can help you choose the character of holiday you want: architecture, nature, or walking and cycling each offer a different focus.
Churches and Architectural History
The Church of St Gwrthwl stands on the south side of the village, within a raised, partly circular churchyard. The medieval church on this site was replaced in 1875 by a Victorian building designed by J. G. Finch Noyes. A Norman font from the earlier building survives inside the church. This brings together the 19th-century church building and an element of its earlier architectural history.
Penuel Chapel adds a different building history: it was built in 1832 and rebuilt in 1890 in the vernacular style, with a long-wall-entry plan. Vernacular refers to a regionally distinctive building style; the entrance in the long wall is a specific feature of the plan. St Gwrthwl and Penuel Chapel therefore offer different points of interest, from a surviving Norman font to the date of construction, rebuilding and architectural form.
Uplands and Wetland Habitats
Carn Gafallt is part of Llanwrthwl Commons and is partly managed by the RSPB as a nature reserve. On the southern edge of the hill above Talwrn is a group of burial mounds thought to date from the Bronze Age. The hill of Trembyd marks the eastern edge of one of the largest areas of open upland common land in Wales. These features offer different perspectives on the landscape: nature conservation and archaeological traces at Carn Gafallt, and the extent of the open upland common land at the edge of Trembyd.
West of Llanwrthwl village, Rhosydd Llanwrthwl comprises unimproved wet grassland in the Afon Dulas valley, on flat or gently sloping ground. The extent and quality of its stands of wet grassland, wet heath and flush vegetation are exceptional. In contrast with Carn Gafallt, the focus here is on three specific vegetation types and their exceptional character. This makes it possible to distinguish between the landscape themes of open uplands and those of wetland habitats.
Routes and Getting Around
Beyond Llanwrthwl church, part of the route shares its course with National Cycle Route 8. Here, the path goes around Trembyd hill. These provide two specific points of reference for planning: a section shared in part by walking and cycling routes, and the route around the hill. Llanwrthwl is listed as a stop on the bus route from Rhayader to Builth Wells; the bridge end on the A470 is given as the reference point in the village. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable before setting off.
For an overview of the wider area: Powys.
More destinations
More places in the same destination:
