Discover Heritage

With their dramatic rolling hills and sprawling natural habitats, the Cambrian Mountains, the back bone of Wales to the east of Cardigan Bay, offer a wide range of Welsh history, culture and heritage experiences.

Community spirit thrives and you’ll find a host of choirs and eisteddfodau in most towns and villages. 
Historically, the Cambrian Mountains have been mined for lead, silver and gold by kings, monks and prospectors in search of riches, and the lead mines of Cwmystwyth, which are among the oldest in Europe, are particularly exceptional.

Their grandiose scale and almost apocalyptic appearance make them well worth a visit for those interested in the Cambrian Mountain’s more industrial history and landscape. The Cambrian Mountains are home to Soar y Mynydd, a Calvinist Methodist chapel, and the remotest chapel in Wales. It provides regular services throughout the year. Another significant religious site is Strata Florida Abbey near Pontrhydfendigaid, a 12th century grand medieval abbey where generations of Welsh princes are buried and where you may learn about the Cistercian monks and the dramatic impact they have had on this rural landscape.

A mainstay of Cambrian Mountains rural life is agriculture. Local agricultural shows, sheepdog trials and other country pursuits still thrive. Local agricultural shows are the prefect place to see modern Cambrian Mountains rural life in action as well as the internationally acclaimed Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in Llanelwedd, the biggest agricultural event in Europe and a key date in the Welsh farming calendar.
 

“Live like a Local” authentic experiences

As a result of working with the CUPHAT Heritage Tourism project, we’ve managed to collaborate with local community groups and organisations to offer three new authentic experiences for visitors to the Cambrian Mountains.

These are ‘real’ community experiences that happen on a weekly and monthly basis(Church experience needs to be pre-arranged).

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting the Cambrian Mountains, please take time to support these unique visitor experiences.

Discover the Devil’s Bridge Mart in all its glory. Meet amazing local characters and feel the astounding warmth of this unique agricultural way of life. Take care not to wink, nod or raise your hand though.
For more details about visiting the mart, including dates and times, visit the mart’s Facebook page.
Marts normally held on Wednesdays.
Location : Devil’s Bridge

Discover the Coed Y Bont Community Woodland in the company of its volunteers. Fancy a few hours working in an astounding woodland? Including renovating and upgrading paths and improving the drainage, clearing unwanted growth, and generally managing the different habitats within the wood to increase species diversity. For further details visit the woodland’s Facebook Page.
Volunteers normally meet once a month.
Location: Pontrhydfendigaid

Discover Eglwys Llanfihangel Y Creuddyn Church by visiting the recently renovated tower. Accessed via a narrow entrance, the short journey up the stone steps takes you up inside the church tower. Discover recent renovations of the astounding St Michael and All Angels Church. The craftsmanship is intricate and the views out of the windows spectacular. Details from the website.
Tower Tours can be prerranged,
Location : Llanfihangel Y Creuddyn

Heritage Links