Sennybridge lies where the River Senni joins the Usk. This confluence gives the village a clear geographical landmark; at the same time, the Epynt Way and traces of the Brecon Forest Tramroad reveal different sides of the area. This gives you a thematic choice when planning your trip: take in the landscape of Mynydd Epynt or explore Sennybridge’s built and transport history.
Walking and landscape
The Epynt Way is a 65 km long-distance walking route around the Sennybridge Training Area. As a long-distance route, it calls for a different kind of planning; exploring it is different from visiting individual historic sites. Which focus suits your trip depends on whether you want to centre it on the route itself or on the landscape and culture.
Disgwylfa farmhouse now serves as the Epynt Way Visitor Centre. It has free parking, toilets and picnic benches. Information boards cover the history, geology, flora and fauna of Epynt. Practical facilities and information about several aspects of the landscape are therefore brought together in one place. As facilities may change, check the latest information on facilities and visiting arrangements before your visit.
Most of the Sennybridge Training Area lies on Mynydd Epynt, a wild plateau covered mainly by blanket bog and grass and crossed by streams. The continued existence of the training area has preserved a historic landscape that reflects conditions before 1939 and has not been altered by modern farming methods. Mynydd Epynt is therefore shaped not only by its areas of bog and grass, but also by the historical continuity of its landscape.
The River Usk is also a useful landmark: it flows through Sennybridge and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) downstream of the Usk Reservoir. These protected-area designations apply to the river downstream of the reservoir.
Historic traces on the Usk
Castell Du, also known as Rhyd y Briw, lies southwest of Sennybridge. The remains of the medieval castle survive; it commands the crossing of the River Senni at its confluence with the Usk. Here, the river geography and the history of a castle meet at a specifically named crossing point.
The small post-medieval Rhydybriw Church, a Chapel of Ease, stands on the north bank of the Usk, opposite Sennybridge. The present building dates from around 1860. The chapel’s historical classification and the construction date of the present building belong to different periods.
Castle House is a Grade II listed building in Sennybridge. It was added to the heritage list on 28 October 2005. The Brecon Forest Tramroad offers another historical perspective: Sennybridge became important in the early 19th century because of its terminus depot. The depot operated from 1823 until the line closed in 1867. The remains of a medieval castle, evidence of church history and the story of the tramroad depot thus represent different chapters in the village’s history.
Shows and bookable experiences
An agricultural show is held every September at Dickson’s Field in Sennybridge. Exact dates may vary; check the date for your travel year if you want to plan your trip around it.
Good Day Out offers a different activity in the Senni Valley: walks with pigs and the accompanying picnic experience, “Piggy Walking with a Pig-Nic”. Good Day Out experiences must be booked in advance. For the show, the specific event date is what matters; for this experience, it is advance booking.
Discover more destinations: Llandysilio, Caersws, Carreghofa, Newtown, Builth Wells, Bronllys, Clyro, Llanllwchaiarn.
For the broader travel overview: Powys.
