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Cenarth to Newcastle Emlyn, Teifi valley walk
Distance and degree of difficulty
3 miles; easy
Nearest place/s
Newcastle Emlyn, Newcastle Emlyn
Description
This lovely and historically interesting linear walk follows green lanes along
the southern boundary of the Teifi flood plain linking two of Carmarthenshire´s
most picturesque and historically interesting settlements.
The walk follows an old roadway which may have been the route taken by the army
of Owain Glyndwr in June 1403 on its way to attack the castle of Newcastle
Emlyn, having crossed the river near Cenarth. See the remains of no less than
three castles, the historic bridge at Cenarth, the Coracle Museum, the wildlife
around the river and the falls at Cenarth, a Victorian church, a turnpike round,
and a Victorian farmstead.
Most of the route is over gently undulating ground, with only a couple of short
sections of moderately steep ground. It is possible to catch a bus to the start
and walk back. Another possibility is to return on the Ceredigion side of the
river via footpaths, quiet lanes, and a short length of B roads. Although not
shown on the leaflet, you can find the northern route on OS Explorer map 185 (or
waterproof version).
Items of interest
castles, church, country town, farmed landscape, ferns, fields, green lanes,
historic bridge, historic building/s, National Coracle Museum, river, Site of
Special Scientific Interest, Teifi valley, Victorian farmstead, village,
waterfall, wildlife, woodland
Special time/s of year
Terrain
bridleway/s ; farmed landscape ; footpath/s ; quiet lane/s ; valley ; woodland
Obstacles
not known
Number and condition of stiles
not known
Number and condition of gates
not known
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Drefach-Velindre and the National
Wool Museum
Distance and degree of difficulty
4 miles; moderate
Nearest place/s
Newcastle Emlyn
Description
This lovely area is characterised by the high proportion of ancient woodland in
the valleys and the extensive network of ancient paths, tracks and drovers´
roads which link the mills and farms with the villages, leading through
countryside rich in archaeological, social and wildlife interest. There are
distant views from the higher ground.
From the middle ages to the early 20th century, woollen manufacturing was one of
the most important industries in Wales. The villages on this walk became an
industrial enclave in west Wales, complete with brass bands, male voice choirs
and strong trade union. It is difficult to imagine now that this rural area
probably produced more flannel than any other parish in Wales. In the mid 1920s
over 50 mills were in operation. You can still see the old mills and workshops
lining the streams that once provided power for the machinery; you will pass Cwm
Cottage which is a former hand-loom weavers´ workshop. The walk skirts
Cwmhiraeth, which a hundred years ago was a busy industrial village with mills
and weaving shops.
The commanding site of the Iron Age hill fort at Dinas Bran gives sweeping views
over the village, the Teifi valley and beyond.
Cambrian Mills now houses the recently lovingly restored Welsh Woollen Museum,
which gives a remarkable insight into the area´s historical, cultural and
industrial past. The Gwlana Trail takes visitors from the museum on a tour of
the textile village of Drefach-Velindre.
Items of interest
ancient woodland, chapel, ferns, fields, archaeology, birds, hill fort, distant
views, historic building/s, industrial archaeology, local history, mill workers’
path, museum, red kite country, Nant Bargod, stream/s, stock farming, Teifi
valley, trees, valley, vernacular building/s, Victorian architecture, Welsh
woollen industry, wild plants
Special time/s of year
Bluebells in spring; bilberries in summer
Terrain
C road/s ; footpath/s ; quiet lane/s ; undulating ; woodland
Obstacles
not known
Number and condition of stiles
not known
Number and condition of gates
not known
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