Llanfrynach is an attractive friendly village, its character kept intact largely, because the main routes of canal, train and road all just miss it. The nearest locks on the Brecon to Monmouth Canal are at Pencelli and Brynach. The absence of any major traffic route either going through or very near Llanfrynach has left the village with a very self-contained, unspoilt feel. Llanfrynach is partly surrounded by the Beacons and has superb access to Pen Y Fan, so is a very popular place for ramblers and cyclists to visit.
The Nant Menasgin flows through the village on its way to the Usk. It comes down from Cwm Oergwm, the eastern-most valley of the Brecon Beacons, with the ridge of Fan y Big and Cefn Cyff to the west and the Bryn and Gist Wen to the east. There is a lot of woodland along the stream, and Brecknock Wildlife Trust manages much of this as a nature reserve. See the Trust’s website for more details and access arrangements (access is restricted).
The church can be found in the centre of the village, within what is known as the largest churchyard in Brecon and Radnorshire. The church is named after the Celtic Saint, Brynach who founded the church in the 4th century. Earliest references to this church date back to 1281.
The village hall which serves the communities of Llanfrynach and Cantref is an attractive, traditional red brick, slate roofed building with a touch of Arts and Crafts style. It is used for many purposes and is available for hire.
A traditional red telephone box is the village’s library, where residents borrow and lend books for each other. Until recently, this telephone box was the country’s smallest art gallery!
The Ty Bach toilets are operated and run by local volunteers. Regular users of the Ty Bach are mostly walkers and cyclists who park their cars in the village before setting off for a trek into the Beacons. The toilets are free to use, but donations are what keep these going so please stick your hand in your pocket during your visit (via the secure collection box outside)! Written notes have been left saying how very much people appreciate the Ty Bach and how they admire the community spirit involved in keeping them open. Due to generous donations, the village have been able to fund the new build of toilets in Burundi, Africa as part of a toilet twinning scheme run by Cord and Tearfund.
If you would like to read more about St Brynach’s Church History, then check out Jack's History Project.
