Vale of Ewyas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Vale of Ewyas is the steeply-sided and secluded valley of the Afon Honddu, in the Black Mountains of South Wales and within the Brecon Beacons National Park. As well as its outstanding beauty, it is known for the ruins of Llanthony Priory, and for several noteworthy churches.
At the head of the valley is the Gospel Pass, which is reputed to have been named after the time in the 12th century when the Third Crusade passed through the area preaching and fund raising. Nearby, at Capel-y-ffin, is an eighteenth century church, one of the smallest in the country, and close to the former home of designer Eric Gill.
Further south, at Cwmyoy, the church has suffered subsidence, and is best known for the disorienting tilts and twists of the building. A few miles away, in the parallel valley of the Grwyne Fawr, is Partrishow (also known as Patricio), which has an outstanding 11th century church [1] with an intricately carved 16th century rood screen and mediaeval mural paintings.
The Vale of Ewyas is accessed by a single track road between Llanfihangel Crucorney, near Abergavenny, and Hay-on-Wye.
[edit] External link
- Article by journalist Simon Jenkins
