Sgwd Gwladus
| Sgwd Gwladus | |
| Brecknockshire, Glamorgan | |
|---|---|
 Sgwd Gwladus | |
| River: | River Pyrddin |
| Fall: | 20 feet |
| SN89610931 | |
| Co-ordinates: | 51°46’18"N, 3°36’5"W |
Sgwd Gwladus (meaning 'Lady's Falls') are formed where the River Pyrddin drops 20 feet over a lip of the 'Twelve Foot Sandstone' in a single fall which can resemble a cascade of a lady's blonde hair.
The lady from whom the waterfall is named, according to legend, was one of the many daughters of Brychan, the 5th-century King of Brycheiniog. It is linked in legend with the nearby Sgwd Einion Gam ('Fall of Crooked Gam') upstream. Both of the waterfalls are on the River Pryddin, which here marks the border of Brychan's kingdom, Brecknockshire, with Glamorgan.
The sandstone tilts gently to the south so forcing the waters of the Pyrddin up against the foot of a high cliff of mudstone and over the left-hand side of the rock lip (when viewed from below). In higher water conditions the fall gradually extends further to the right. The upper surface of the sandstone is roughly patterned with the fossil roots of trees. A rocking stone (now dislodged) sits on this bench some 165 feet north of the falls.
This waterfall and its neighbours are part of Brecknockshire's Waterfall Country, which encompasses many beautiful waterfalls on the rivers running from the southern slopes of the Brecon Beacons.
See also
Outside links
- Waterfall County walking trails – Brecon Beacons NPA
- Pictures of Sgwd Gwladus and the area on Geograph.co.uk
