Abergwesyn


Abergwesyn is a village in the Welsh county of Powys, in mid-Wales, at the start of the Abergwesyn valley and the confluence of the Afon Irfon and the Afon Gwesyn and is 52 miles from Cardiff and 158 miles from London.
Abergwesyn Commons stretch between the Nant Irfon valley and Llanwrthwl. They are rich in archaeology, including Bronze Age ritual sites and deserted medieval villages. A National Trust project is focused on the preservation of the peatland.

Description

Abergwesyn Commons cover an area of some and stretch for between the Nant Irfon valley in the west and Llanwrthwl in the east, are rich in archaeology, including Bronze Age ritual sites and deserted medieval villages. There are many cairns and other evidence of ancient human activity. To the north the ground falls away to the edge of the Elan Valley Reservoirs. The summit ridge is wild and bleak with expansive views across the roof of Wales. Among the wildlife to be seen are red grouse, lapwing and red kite.

National Trust

The National Trust has an ongoing ecology project, centred on the preservation of peatland in the Abergwesyn Commons. The site has extensive areas of deep peat and blanket bog in poor condition due to past overgrazing and burning. The work done has benefited the golden plover, an amber-listed species on the Birds of Conservation Concern index.

Parish church

In 1740 the curate in the parishes of Llanwrtyd, Llanfihangel Abergwesyn and Llanddewi Abergwesyn, was Wales' most famous hymn-writer William Williams Pantycelyn. Llanddewi Abergwesyn parish was united with Llanfihangel Abergwesyn parish in 1885, and separate marriage registers were not kept thereafter. Parish registers are held, at the National Library of Wales and/or Powys Archives for baptisms 1813-1984, marriages 1813-1873, burials 1813-1986 and banns 1826-1862 and 1957-1959. Also, at Cardiff Central Library and NLW, are records of baptisms 1738-1812, marriages 1738-56 and 1765-1812, and burials 1738-1812. Bishops' Transcripts, for various periods, are also held at NLW.