A choice of walks for ramblers as they explore the Valleys and the Vale
Penarth and District Ramblers
EIGHT walkers plus Brumo the dog joined Barrie from Penarth and District Ramblers at the north end of Pontsticill reservoir for a 10-mile walk.
Crossing below the Pentwyn Reservoir in dry but overcast weather, they followed the path beside the Brecon Mountain Railway that runs along part of the old Brecon and Merthyr Railway track. From the flatness of the Taff Trail, they descended to cross a footbridge over the Taff Fechan River for the short climb to Vaynor and, passing the Church Tavern which dates to 1823, when it was used as a court house, they entered the churchyard of St Gwynno’s for morning break.
The church was rebuilt by Robert Thompson Crawshay, the Cyfarthfa ironmaster after the older church became unsafe and he is buried there beneath an 11-ton granite slab bearing the words ‘God Forgive Me’, which they viewed before moving on. Some road walking led them to moorland for the gradual climb to Garn Ddu and as it was windy at the summit, they descended towards the shelter of the Taff Fechan Forest for lunch break. Then, joining a forestry track, they meandered their way back to their start, experiencing some light rain for the very last part of the journey.
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Sheila, on the other hand, stayed within the Vale for her eight-mile walk which attracted a group of 16 when they left Cowbridge to climb and exit beside the A48.
Entering the Penllyn Estate and passing a huge field of free range hens, they climbed though fields to overlook the lovely old manor house of Penllyn Castle, before moving on to the Church of St John the Evangelist.
Then, it was on through the village to reach the three freshwater wells fed by springs which in 1883, was the only water supply. After morning break they passed through a slippery bridleway to re-enter fields for the journey to the village of Graig Penllyn.
At this point they heard about the ancient folklore of Ty unnos, or ‘house in one night’ which was popular in Wales between the 17th/19th Centuries, when squatters who built a house on common land between dusk and dawn, with smoke coming from the chimney before sun up, could claim to be the legal owners of the property. Plus, if the owner threw an axe from each corner of the house, the boundary land where it fell could also be claimed.
Passing uphill through the Parish Field and Coed y Graig they moved on to Llansannor for lunch and a visit to the lovely Church of St Senwyr. Then, it was on past Llansannor Court and back into fields, passing Pen-y-lan and at Newton House Farm, a stop to enjoy milkshakes made from the farms own cow milk, before heading through muddy fields and over boardwalks to return beside the River Thaw.
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Joy Strangward
Other items to read:
- Penarth ramblers enjoy their weekend in Sussex
- Ramblers explore Sully Island
- Ramblers celebrate with a picnic in the park
- Penarth ramblers take a liking to Lydney
- Ramblers explore two sections of the Heritage Coast
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