Sennybridge is situated where the River Senni flows into the River Usk, about 8 miles west of Brecon, 16 miles from Ystradgynlais and 12 miles from Llandovery on the northern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The are is still largely agricultural, open hills and mountains or forestry based and there are fine opportunities for horse riding, bird watching, and walking in the Brecon Beacons National Park. It has a bilingual school, doctor's surgery and many pubs and places to eat. There are a variety of shops in the village including newsagents, garages, café, crafts, mini supermarkets and a livestock market.

There are bus connections for the train station at Llandovery, Swansea, Shrewsbury and Cardiff. It has good road links with the M4 motorway, and is approximately 45 minutes from the nearest junction. The two airports which are situated at Swansea and Cardiff have good connections with the transport system and are easily reached. There are two public schools, a secondary modern school and a college within 15 minutes travel by road. Sennybridge Resource Centre acts as an outreach centre for Coleg Powys.

The village has a ruined castle which stands on the west bank of the Senni and is believed to have been constructed during the 13th century, once used as a prison by the keepers of Fforest Fawr. Defynnog has an interesting 15th century village church which was formerly the centre of a large parish. The font inside the church bears the only RUNIC inscription in Wales, in the churchyard stands one of the oldest yew trees in the United Kingdom.

Stephen Powell

2004-06-01T19:04:24