The Biggest and the Best

The leaning tower of St Martin’s Church in the hamlet of Cwmyoy should be world famous for it actually leans more than the leaning tower of Pisa. We can certainly boast that in this National Park we have the most crooked church in Britain and we can take pride in many other claims as well.

There are few areas of Britain that can offer such a wide range of scenery and so many fascinating places. In the west we have the remote and shapely summits of the Carmarthen Fans with their two shimmering lakes and fairy legends. Then to the east is Fforest Fawr, a wild and lonely area of mist shrouded moorland, where time moves slowly and Sarn Helen beckons us to follow in the footsteps of the Romans.

To the south are the unique delights of our ‘Waterfall Country’ which is an area of exceptional beauty. It is always thrilling to visit the four rivers which tumble down from the upland slopes to plunge through wooded ravines and descend in dramatic cascades, filling the deep and narrow gorges with the thunder of falling water.

Relics in the landscape created by man through the passing centuries are also very special. Carreg Cennen Castle dramatically positioned on a limestone crag towering above a green valley has been described as the most romantic castle in Wales. Then, there is Castell Dinas on the north western edge of the Black Mountains, which at an altitude of 1,400 feet is said to be the highest castle in England and Wales.

There are indeed numerous claims that we can make for our National Park: Garn Coch is the largest hill fort in Wales; at Torpantau we have the highest railway tunnel in Britain; the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir, when built was the highest in England and Wales. The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal can boast the longest pound (a section of canal without any locks) in Britain, a tribute to the skill of the 18th century engineers who made it follow a contour line for nearly 20 miles.

The Fish Stone on the Glan Usk Estate is the tallest (18ft) prehistoric standing stone in Wales, while Maen Llwyd, on the western side of Pen y Gader Fawr is the highest standing stone in Wales, being positioned at an altitude of 1,700 feet.

Dan yr Ogof in the Swansea Valley is the largest show cave complex in Western Europe and on the other side of the valley, Ogof Ffynnon Ddu is one of the longest and deepest cave systems in Britain with the through trip involving a descent of over 1,000 feet. It is also unique as a designated underground nature reserve. The Pwlldu tunnel is the longest horse-drawn tunnel (1.5 miles) in the world, and is situated within the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site.

Llangorse Lake is the largest natural lake in South Wales, the Skirrid Inn is the oldest pub in Wales, while the Bear in Crickhowell has been voted the best pub in Britain! With its thirteen arches, Crickhowell bridge is the longest stone bridge in Wales. Yes, the claims are endless and no doubt some of our members are aware of additional boasts that we can make.

Those who have explored this Park intimately, will no doubt agree that it is the quality of the landscape that is so special and it is only by walking the valleys and traversing the summits at varying times of the year that you can really appreciate their moods and the ever-changing views, and thus enrich your knowledge and appreciation of this fascinating part of Wales.