ABOUT RHAYADER Rhayader
lies at the crossroads of Wales: between the Brecon
Beacons and Snowdonia, halfway from Hereford to
Aberystwyth. We are barely two hours from Birmingham
(four from London) yet a world away from the bustle
of city life. Often described as Wales's Lakeland,
this is a rare forgotten wilderness; surrounded by
spectacular contrasts, a land of mountains, lakes, and
moors.
The result is a paradise for those lucky enough to
discover our secret. Most return time and again to walk,
run, ride, drive or simply escape. We pride ourselves on
our friendly atmosphere and boast a huge range of
accommodation from budget to luxurious.
We have something for everyone. Climb any hill, drive
up any byway and you can see every mountain range in
Wales. Meander along our cycle tracks (Sustrans 8 &
81) amid stunning scenery or leave the beaten path to
find gems of your own.
The flooded Elan Valley is our most famous asset, but
it is only the tip of the iceberg. Thanks to hundreds of
traditional, non-intensive, family farms, wildlife
abounds. Salmon, trout and otters lurk in the rivers;
rare orchids and fungi thrive in the fields and woods,
while the skies are home to peregrines and kites. As a
result there are dozens of nature reserves, Sites of
Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the entire area
is classified as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA).
HISTORY Rhayader (ray-ad-er) is the oldest town in
Mid-Wales, dating back to the 5th century (although
Neolithic remains show people have been here far longer
than this). It was originally distinguished by two
natural features. The waterfall that can be seen today
is the remains of the original that was blown up to make
way for the bridge and which gave the town its name -
Waterfall on the Wye. The ford downstream leading to the
opposite bank in Llansantffraed Cwmdauddwr - the Church
of St. Bride in the parish of two rivers. For centuries
the town was a natural stopping point of monks, drovers
and mail coaches - and when the poet Percy Shelley was
sent down from Oxford University for atheism, it was to
the peace and tranquility of the Elan Valley that he
fled. Its pure, unpolluted waters were also the lure for
the great Victorian mayor of Birmingham, Joseph
Chamberlain. Desperate for a safe water supply, he led
an ambitious scheme, along with James Mansergh, to flood
the Elan and Claerwen valleys with a series of dams,
piping water 72 mniles to the city. |
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