St Iltyd's Church, Brynithel

Situated 1200 feet above sea level, St Illtyd's Church is Grade 2 listed, and comes with spectacular views across to Welsh valleys.  The first wooden church on this site was erected in the 5th Century. In the late 12th Century the White Monks rebuilt this stone church. Inside you will find a stone font dating back to the 9th Century.

 

Because of the circular churchyard, it is believed that the site may have been used for religious activity before Christianity came to Wales. This churchyard is a conservation area with a variety of rare plants and meadow flowers growing amongst the gravestones.

 

St Illtyd, the patron saint was born in Brittany in 420AD and came to Wales as a Knight and consecrated a Bishop in 463AD. He was also the founder of the Monastery at Llantwit Major and toured Wales preaching until he was killed at Crickhowell. Monks carried his body to Croslands, Mamhilad.

St Illtyd is said by some to have been the first cousin of King Arthur.

Near to the Chuch is a "tump" or a large mound (also known as a "motte") which may have been a fortification. At the rear of the Church, in a nearby field can be seen the remains of a ruined castle, Castell Tailorum, dating to the 13th century. Stories abound of tunnels emanating from this castle to a nearby hostelry and a farm. Both of these structures are on private land, but can be viewed from the churchyard.

Famous visitors to the church include:

Queen Anne

Sarah Churchill

Duchess of Marlborough

Archdeacon Coxe

John Wesley, 18th Century Preacher

King Charles 1st

Oliver Cromwell

The Friends of St Illtyd's work in partnership with Blaenau Gwent Council, ensuring the Church is open on Sunday afternoons (2.30pm to 4.30pm) from Easter to October.

For information from Friends of St Illtyd's Church, tel: 01495 320367
Blaenau Borough Council tel: 01495 355937/355972
www.illtyd.co.uk
email: friends@illtyd.co.uk
tourism@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
heritage@blaeau-gwent.gov.uk
Access is via valley roads and a steep narrow lane or across the mountain from neighbouring valleys.

St Illtyd's Church,
St Illtyd,
Aberbeeg,
Abertillery,
Blaenau Gwent NP13 2AY

Kilpeck Church (St Mary & St David)



South door of 12th century Kilpeck Church
Photography by R.J.L.Smith

By no stretch of the imagination can this little church be considered to be in the Welsh Valleys, but I fell in love with it when I saw it and am sure you will too.   No matter your religion, or lack of it, this building will not fail to fascinate.

Situated in Herefordshire, close to the A465 from Abergavenny to Hereford, this quaint architectural gem, one of many ancient churches, is well worth seeking out.   With only a small sign on the A465 to indicate the turning to this Norman church, it is easy to miss.

"Discover the Golden Valley and Black Mountains Countryside"* describes it as even more bizarre than the combined genius of Walt Disney and Salvador Dali.   Hints of Celtic, Welsh, Oriental, Byzantine and Scandinavian influences are reflected in the carved stone figures which decorate the building.   Many of them are arranged in a frieze around the outside, just under the roof;  dogs, monsters, grotesques, a rabbit, a sheila-na-her hair, and many many more for you to name.

Behind the church, over a small stile, lies a large mound smothered in greenery and the masonry remains of Kilpeck Castle.   If the remains of this Norman structure fail to excite, then the views should make up for it.

*copyright Caroline Downey, The Coach House, Cwmyoy, Nr Abergavenny.