A medieval parish church, an underground river and a range of waterfall experiences offer different themes to consider when planning your trip. Ystradfellte is home to the Church of Saint Mary; other attractions described here range from Porth yr Ogof to waterfalls, each with its own story and route.
Cwm Porth and Porth yr Ogof
The Four Falls Trail can also be walked from the Cwm Porth car park. Cwm Porth is one of two official car parks in Waterfall Country managed by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority. The car park has toilets and a shop selling snacks, drinks and souvenirs. Facilities may change, so check their current status before your visit.
The caves at Porth yr Ogof are also accessible from the car park. A challenging footpath leads downhill from Cwm Porth to Porth yr Ogof, the largest cave entrance in Wales. The cave is also notable for a geological feature: at Porth yr Ogof, the River Mellte disappears underground for a quarter of a mile. The cave attraction therefore centres both on the route there and on the underground river. Conditions along the path may change; check current access information before setting out.
Waterfalls: Cascades, History and Routes
Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn is a lower waterfall. Its picturesque cascades flow like a staircase into a steep gorge. At Sgwd yr Eira, the focus is on the route: a rough path allows walkers to pass behind the falling water. Access and path conditions may change; check them before your visit.
The name Sgwd y Pannwr also tells a story of past use: it refers to the waterfall once being used to wash wool. The three waterfall descriptions are therefore quite distinct: at Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, the shape of the cascades defines the scene; at Sgwd yr Eira, it is the path behind the water; and at Sgwd y Pannwr, the historical meaning of the name. If you are including waterfalls in your trip plans, you can take these different highlights into account rather than choosing based only on the name of a single waterfall.
Church of Saint Mary in Ystradfellte
The Church of Saint Mary is a medieval Anglican parish church in Ystradfellte. Its origins are thought to date to the early 15th century; the west tower dates from the late 15th to the 16th century. This distinction between dates gives the building’s history definition without treating its likely origins as a confirmed date.
The church is predominantly late medieval and is listed Grade II*. The chancel features a finely panelled barrel-vaulted ceiling. As well as its classification and dating, the church offers a specific architectural detail to look out for if you are interested in building history. The chancel vault and the west tower represent different aspects: the design of the church interior and a building element with its own date.
Choose the Focus of Your Trip
When looking for a holiday rental in Ystradfellte, you can start by considering which discoveries matter most to you: the building history of the Church of Saint Mary, the geological feature of the River Mellte, the route to Porth yr Ogof or the different waterfall descriptions.
Discover more destinations: Llanwrthwl, Guilsfield, Newtown, Llangattock, Llangorse, Llanbedr, Brecon, Bronllys.
For the broader travel overview: Powys.
