Peniarth Isaf

Bwlch-y-Cibau

Bwlch-y-Cibau is a small village of a couple of dozen houses in the old county of Montgomeryshire, part of Powys in Mid-Wales. It is situated on the watershed between the valleys of the River Cain to the north and the River Vyrnwy in the Meifod valley to the south. The nearest villages are Meifod to the west and Llansantfraidd-ym-Mechain to the east. Local children go to school in Llanfyllin.

The Welsh name Bwlch-y-Cibau means 'pass of the husks' which is said to refer to the local abundance of acorns which were fed to pigs in times past.

Powys has the lowest population density in the country and its rural communities are very much dependent on upland sheep farming. Welshpool, just nine miles away, has the largest sheep market in Europe

Bwlch-y-Cibau from the Air

This is a view of the the village looking to the East, with the church in the centre of the picture, and Betty Price the wooded hill, rising behind it. The road to the left runs down Bwlch Bank towards Llanfyllin in the Cain Valley. To the top right the road twists and turns down Happy Valley to the Vyrnwy.

Peniarth Isaf is the house in the bottom right of the photo.

Village Map and Footpaths

Christ Church Bwlch-y-Cibau

This beautiful stone church set on the edge of woodlands dates from the 1860's and was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. It is at the heart of the community and serves a rural parish with a population of about 100 people. Several of the former residents of Peniarth Isaf now lie within the walls of the churchyard.

Visit Christ Church here.

The Stumble Inn Pub and Restaurant

The centre of village life, where you are always guaranteed a warm welcome and fine food from hosts Elaine and Dave. Our favourites are the Chicken Ebbrington, Sea Bass and of course Elaine's legendary Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Bryngwyn Pool

Walking up past the church, a narrow lane leads over the hill to the village of Llanfechain. Some may remember our brown bear, created by the sculptor Andy Hancock. More of his work can be seen at Lake Vyrnwy. A little further on, there are fine views to the north, looking out over Bryngwyn Pool to the Cain valley.

Betty Price

The wooded hill rising behind the church is known locally as Betty Price. Here you can wander along quiet footpaths and bridleways, look down at the heronry on the shore of Bryngwyn Pool, or climb higher through carpets of bluebells for a view of the Breidden Hills and the Shropshire Plain beyond. Walking or riding right round the hill brings you back to the fern clad sunny slopes high above the Vyrnwy valley.

Moel Main

Moel Main, and beyond it, the ridge of Allt y Main are the twin peaks which guard the entrance to Glascwm, another little gem of a valley hanging above the Vyrnwy. Take the footpath which starts at Peniarth Isaf. Past Ash Tree and across the Colwyn Footbridge. The sunken lane leads up through the fields to the Primrose Wood. Right here would bring you round the Colwyn Valley and back to Peniarth Farm, but instead turn left towards the road and join the track into Glascwm. There is a delightful circuit to be made of this little community, with views into the Meifod Valley. The footpath from Bwlch-y-Cibau to Glascwm is shown on the O.S. Map here.