Defynnog

Ancient Yews and St Cynog's

In St Cynog's churchyard stand four significant yews. The best-known had a minimum girth of 10.06 metres in 2014. Age estimates range from a projected minimum of 1,300 years to 2,000–3,000 years, though 3,000 is disputed and the claim of 5,000 has no support. The trees are ancient and internationally significant.

The church the yews surround sits on a terrace above the Afon Senni, about a hundred metres from the water. Most of what you see is late fifteenth century, tower included, though a church was recorded here as far back as 1254. In the porch is an incised stone reading "Rugniatio Livendoni," cut in the fifth or sixth century and marked later with two crosses and what may be Ogham. The font carries the letters "Siwurd + Gwlmer" and a long-standing claim to be the only Runic inscription in Wales, though specialists dispute it and read the lettering as Lombardic capitals instead. Six bells by John Taylor hang in the tower. A visitor in 1855, Sir Stephen Glynne, judged the whole thing "above par" for the district.

The Tanners Arms

Near the bridge, the Tanners Arms occupies three cottages built around 1806 for tannery workers. It has traded as a pub since 1870. The independent, family-run pub has a beer garden, log fires, two changing cask beers and real cider, and welcomes dogs. Boss and Grey Trees have featured among its ales; home-cooked dishes have included meat pies, sea bass, lamb and Sunday dinner.

Rarebit in the Old School

At the International Welsh Rarebit Centre in the Old School, bread is baked on site for rarebits that have included traditional, Patagonian, Korean, Spanish chorizo, stout and kimchi versions. Seasonal soups, salads, specials and cakes join them, with a wood-burning stove, a small shop and room for children.

From the Senni Valley to the Hills

Defynnog has two centres: the church and older houses on higher ground, and the buildings by the bridge over the Senni. An 8.36-kilometre circular crosses the surrounding fields, while a footway beside the A4067 connects the village with Sennybridge and the banks of the Usk. The T6 stops in Defynnog and runs to Brecon in one direction and past Dan-yr-Ogof's show caves in the other. Pen y Fan, southern Britain's highest hill at 886 metres, is a drive away; the climb from Pont ar Daf is steep.

Railway Memory and Show Day

The village kept its own railway station from 1867 until the passenger trains stopped in 1962; the nearest now is Llandovery, eleven miles off. On the first Saturday of September the neighbouring Sennybridge Show fills Dickson's Field with livestock, dogs, rural crafts and horticulture, the same fixture the Devynock Agricultural Society has run for years.