Bwlch
| Bwlch | |
| Brecknockshire | |
|---|---|
 Bwlch | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SO150220 |
| Location: | 51°53’24"N, 3°14’13"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,026 (2011) |
| Post town: | Brecon |
| Postcode: | LD3 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Powys |
Bwlch is a small village in Brecknockshire, strung out along the A40 road which crosses a low hill pass above the Usk Valley at this point on its route between Brecon and Crickhowell. The name of the village is Welsh for 'pass', from its location.
Geography
The village is situated about a mile north of the River Usk and about 300 feet above the floor of the Usk Valley, the valley being at around 650 feet above sea level.
The geographical feature from which the village derives its name, the pass through the hills, separates the rolling moorland of Cefn Moel and Mynydd Llangorse in the north-east from Buckland Hill to the southwest.
Various parts of the village command panoramic views across the Rhiangoll valley to the south-western flanks of the Black Mountains, west to the Brecon Beacons and south to Mynydd Llangynidr and Mynydd Llangatwg.
About two miles to the northwest is the hill of Allt yr Esgair (commonly referred to locally as 'The Allt') whilst three miles to the south-west is Tor y Foel.
Llangorse Lake and the village of Llangors are three miles to the north, Talybont-on-Usk is around two miles to the west. The nearest town is Crickhowell, some five miles to the east, down the Usk Valley.
History
The remains of a defensive enclosure on the slopes of Cefn Moel to the north of the village date from prehistoric times.[1] There is also a standing stone of unknown origin and purpose set alone in a field within the hairpin of the A40 road.[2] A further standing stone of similarly unknown age is found at Llygad Wy on the slopes dropping down eastwards below the A40.[3]
Rising from the Roman auxiliary fort[4] at Pen-y-gaer, east of the village, the Romans constructed a road between Abergavenny and Brecon which passed through the col before crossing the slopes of Allt yr Esgair.
The pass was formerly known as 'Bwlch'r allwys' and was once guarded by Blaenllynfi Castle, a Norman castle, now a ruin. Three miles to the east are Tretower Castle and Tretower Court, now in the care of Cadw.
The Calvinistic Methodist and English Presbyterian chapel of Penuel was first built in 1817, though the modern building dates from 1874.[5]
About the village
Most of the business received locally is from tourism. Holiday accommodation is plentiful.
The area is very popular for hillwalking, cycling and horseriding. Though the population of the village itself is small, the community does support a shop with a post office and a café. Until the late 1990s Bwlch had three public houses but now there is only one bunkhouse, and one backpackers which is also a full-time village pub. There is a small park with four pieces of play equipment.
The Beacons Way long distance footpath passes through Bwlch.
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Bwlch) |
