The Pontfaen/Tregynon circular walk passes through wooded hillsides and a river valley; St Brynach’s Church is a notable destination along the route. Other highlights include the New Year tradition of Hen Galan and listed buildings. If you’re looking for hotels for a trip to Pontfaen, you can decide whether the walk, the history of the church and buildings, or the local custom should be the focus of your stay.

Walking between hillsides and a river valley

The Pontfaen/Tregynon circular walk is 5.1 miles (8.2 kilometres) long and takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. It passes through wooded hillsides and a river valley. St Brynach’s Church is a particularly notable destination along the route. The distance and duration give you a clear idea of how much time to allow for a day’s walk; check local conditions before setting out.

St Brynach’s Church and its history

St Brynach’s Church in Pontfaen is dedicated to the 6th-century missionary St Brynach. The churchyard contains two pillar stones carved with Latin crosses, which are thought to date from the 6th to 9th centuries. The two references to time indicate different things: the 6th century relates to the missionary, while the broader period gives the presumed dating of the stones. The church’s dedication and the stone monuments in its churchyard thus represent two distinct historical aspects.

Listed buildings in Pontfaen

Pontfaen House, also known as Plas Pontfaen and Pontfaen Farmouse, is a Grade II listed building. The Dyffryn Arms is also Grade II listed and is locally known as Bessie’s. The inn has been owned by the same family since 1840. These represent two distinct aspects of the area’s history: the listed status and the long family ownership of the Dyffryn Arms.

Hen Galan: New Year on 13 January

The residents of Pontfaen and Llanychaer celebrate Hen Galan every year on 13 January. New Year’s Day follows the old Julian calendar, which was in use before 1752. As part of the custom, children go through both villages, singing old songs with local people and receiving a Calennig, a New Year’s gift. The date and events give the tradition a distinctive character; it is also shared by Pontfaen and Llanychaer. If Hen Galan is a deciding factor for your trip, check the dates in advance.

The wider surrounding landscape

The Gwaun Valley lies in the wider region around Pontfaen. This steep-sided valley was formed by meltwater from retreating glaciers during the Ice Age. The Gwaun River rises east of Pontfaen. The valley and river provide different points of reference in the landscape: the Gwaun Valley offers geological context in the wider area, while the river’s source is located east of the village. The history of the landscape thus adds a regional perspective to the area’s local and architectural history.

Discover more destinations: Roch, Letterston, Penally, Newgale, Treffgarne, Whitland, Camrose, Llandeloy.

For the main travel overview: Pembrokeshire.