Village Wales

David Williams showcases village life throughout Wales: the people, landmarks, houses, gardens, shops, churches, chapels and pubs.

Village

Wales

Below: The parish church of St Mary graces an idyllic site between the village and the river, where Celtic Christians began worshipping during the 6th century.

An important Augustinian priory stood here in medieval times.

Right: The rivers Colwyn and Glaslyn meet near the stone bridge in the centre of the village.

Well-surfaced footpaths extend along their banks, while more challenging paths and trails lead into the superb walking, mountain-biking and pony-trekking country of the surrounding mountains.

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Beddgelert is an excellent centre for touring the attractions of the region. The National Trust’s Craflwyn estate and Aberglaslyn Pass, the Watkin Path to the summit of Snowdon, the Sygun Copper Mine and beautiful Llyn Gwynant, seen here, are all nearby.

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Left: The fine topiary at The Farmhouse has been there for a couple of centuries. It appears on a postcard issued in 1897, which describes it as already being more than 100 years old.

Above: Berriew is home to Silver Scenes, a company making intricately detailed pewter and silver-plated gift items, many of them cast in the flexible moulds seen here. These include photo frames, small boxes, perfume bottles, vases, candle holders, clocks, Christmas decorations and jewellery. The landscape, wildlife and mythology of Wales have provided the inspiration for many of the designs.

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Five miles south-west of Lampeter on the A485.

Nearest rail stations are at Aberystwyth, Carmarthen and Llandovery – providing a good excuse for a long ride on a country bus!

Llanybydder is well provided with general stores, petrol stations and pubs.

Population: 2,543

Llanybydder Carmarthenshire-Ceredigion border Of all the places in this book, Llanybydder is perhaps the one most obviously involved in agriculture, thanks to the presence of Evans Brothers, auctioneers, and several other prominent businesses and organisations serving the industry.

Llanybydder is one of those places on the borderline between being a large village and a small market town, although its residents are quick to affirm that, with the long-established sense of community that exists here, the atmosphere is indeed that of a village. This is a hard-working place, having a real feel of authenticity about it, and many of its residents fulfil important roles in the farming economy.

Sale days at Evans Brothers. are tremendous occasions.

The street becomes crowded with people, animals and vehicles; the pubs and the fish-and-chip vans do a roaring trade.

There are regular sales of cattle, sheep and farm machinery, but the greatest spectacle is that of the West Wales Horse Sales, held on the last Thursday of each month.

The surrounding, largely rural, counties of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire offer much to see in the way of historical and cultural attractions. The Teifi, which passes through Llanybydder, is one of the UK’s best fishing rivers.

Top left: Buyers concentrate at the monthly horse sale.

Top right: A fine stallion on show.

Lower left: Horses and ponies are paraded.

Lower right: The morning’s fresh bread.

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Solva’s supremely picturesque harbour occupies a ria – a river valley invaded by the sea.

The original village is at the far end, while the working quayside (in the centre of the photograph) benefits from deeper water for a longer time either side of high water.

Newer housing extends up the hillside to the main road above.

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In this view from Llanmadoc Hill, it is easy to see why people are attracted to this corner of Gower. The village occupies a serenely rural setting. The beach and sand dunes of Whiteford Burrows are great places for walks – that’s a disused lighthouse offshore at top left. Landimore Marsh, where salt-marsh lamb is farmed, extends to the right. Burry Port and Llanelli are visible across the Loughor Estuary.

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Above: Pendoylan is the location of Llanerch Vineyard, the largest in Wales, where the grapes that make the awardwining Cariad wines are grown. Peter Andrews, previously a pharmacist, planted the vines between 1986 and 1991 and tended them to productive maturity. As well as being available locally, Cariad wines are served in the Houses of Parliament, at the National Assembly for Wales and at events promoting Wales overseas.

Right: The new owners of Llanerch Vineyard, Carole Growcott and Scott Williams, are introducing new grape varieties and plan to open a centre of excellence for wine tutoring, a cookery school and a restaurant offering fine dining on the premises. There is also high-quality self-catering and bed-and-breakfast accommodation in the beautiful surroundings of the vineyard.

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Village

Wales

Moelfre, Llangernyw, Beddgelert, Llandegla, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Pennal, Berriew, Llanybydder, Myddfai, Solva, Llanmadoc, Llangynidr, Pendoylan, Llandaff, Tintern.

“This book explores fifteen villages, of widely differing character.

Some are at the heart of the agricultural economy, some are popular tourist destinations and others are favoured for their quality of life by people who earn their living locally, often in new and creative ways, or commute to work elsewhere.”

£14.99

David Williams