Overview

This walk is almost identical to both the established ‘Town Trail’ and the ‘Country Heritage Trail’, both of which you’ll see signposted en route. It heads into the town from the station then tracks the left bank of the river as far as Dinas Mill and St David’s Church. It then tracks back on the opposite bank of the river, through Dolycoed Park and back to town.

Description

On leaving Llanwrtyd Station, turn left and walk for 5 minutes into town. Turn left at the red kite statue and cross the road bridge over the Afon Irfon. Cross the road and turn quickly right at St James Church along Victoria Rd. Follow the road and not long after the houses end and when it starts to bend left, take the right-hand fork instead, heading along a small lane into woods. Pass along the track between Dolgoy House and the barns and follow the path along the river. When it emerges into a field, cross diagonally to the right corner, through the field gate and you’ll come out in front of Victoria Wells Log Cabin Motel (formerly one of the town wells).

Turn right along the road to the end and then continue straight as the road becomes a footpath through fields, after passing a cluster of properties. Continue along through the fields with the woods on your left and as this turns away from the river you’ll cross a rickety stile and emerge onto a forestry road where you turn right. Continue on the road over the river bridge and past Dinas Mill until you come to ‘old Llanwrtyd’ and the ancient church of St David.*

Cross the road bridge on the right and walk along this quiet road, being mindful of traffic, for about 700m until you see a footpath signposted directly ahead, going into the woods to the river again. Go past the ‘Disputed Bridge’ with its Heritage Trail sign and continue along the footpath until you come to a fork in the track.

Take the left-hand track towards the old pump house.  Notice the dome shaped building behind it which housed the old sulphur ‘Ffynon Droellwyd’ (stinking well) said to have curative properties when it was discovered by Theophilus Evans. Head between the buildings then along the row of horse chestnut trees to the right, towards the former Dol-Y- Coed Hotel, now Charcroft Electronics.

Walk past the side of the building and through the car park, turn right and continue straight along the road until you come back into the town. Here you can take in town shops, the Heritage Centre and the pubs and cafes before returning along Station Road to the right of the convenience store, back to the station, the way you came.

* St David’s Church is a grade II listed church and formerly the parish church of ‘old Llanwrtyd’. The site is reputed to have been chosen by St David himself for an early church to spread the Christian faith. Its architecture spans a period from the 11th to the 16th century and lays claim to notable clergy including Theophilus Evans who first discovered the health-giving properties of the local sulphur waters and also William Williams (Pantecelyn) who wrote of 800 hymns.