Here is a run down of some of the stories and legends behind some of my photos that appear in 2025 Calendars of the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley, and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).
So this year I have released 2 Calendars, depicting the beautiful areas of the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley and Bannau Brycheiniog. For those who have followed me for long enough know that whilst I do love a pretty landscape, I am also fascinated by the stories and legends that sit behind some of these places. These areas certainly have their fair share of tales associated with them, but what's history and what's legend, I will let you decide.
Llyn y Fan Fach
April's photo of my Bannau Brycheiniog calendar is of Llyn y Fan Fach, a mountain lake on the western edge of the national park. There is a famous legend that surrounds the area about a mysterious (and that old classic) Lady of the Lake.
A young farmer from the nearby village of Myddfai saw a beautiful maiden emerge from the lake. Enchanted, he wooed her with bread (if it was garlic bread, I'm anybody's!!), but she only agreed to marry him under one condition. That was, if he struck her three times, she would leave him forever. He, of course, agreed and the couple married. As a result, she brought great prosperity, introducing advanced farming techniques and medicines to the area.
However, in a plot twist (or not-so as we could see this coming), over time the farmer struck her three times. Once in frustration, once in jest and once during a moment of impatience. True to her word, the Lady returned to the lake, leaving her husband and their children behind. There are accounts that she occasionally reappeared to help her sons, teaching them the secrets of herbal medicine. These sons became known as the 'Physicians of Myddfai', and their knowledge went on to greatly benefit the local community. You will see as you pass through Myddfai today, references to these Physicians.
St. Anthony's Well
June in my Forest of Dean & Wye Valley calendar takes you to the wonderful spot of St. Anthony's Well in Flaxley. Nestled in the woodlands, you will find a plunge pool that is fed by a natural spring.
Nearby in Flaxley is an Abbey which was a Cistercian Monastery. It is said that the monks here used to use the natural spring as a water supply for the Abbey, but also for many of the rituals and blessings. This is where it's grown in spiritual and healing significance, with stories surround St. Anthony, a patron saint of healing and lost things.
It's part of a broader legend that is associated with St. Anthony of Egypt (or as with anyone prominent associated with Egypt, stick a 'Great' in somewhere as well). It is likely that the monks developed stories of St. Anthony's healing at this well to build on it's spiritual and healing properties.
It is said today that the water has curative aspects, especially for skin ailments. One of these dubbed 'St Anthony's fire' which is the painful skin condition of erysipelas. Washing oneself in the waters, or simply drinking, is all that is needed. With the rise of cold water swimming in the last couple of years, this is visited frequently by people who have said it helps with their mental, as well as physical, health.
Sgwd Gwladys
Sgwd Gwladys, or Lady Falls, is a beautiful part of the what is known as the Waterfall Country within the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. It's associated with the daughter of King Brycheiniog (of which the park is named after) who fell madly in love with a knight associated with the army who the King was at war with. The king refused their relationship and in her sorrow, Gwladys' tears (and eventually herself) turned into the waterfall that we see today. I have actually done a separate blog post about this, as there are many versions of this story (some 'truer' than others). And yes, of course, King Arthur does appear!
Visit Tragedy of Gwladys to find out more on these stories.
Waterloo Screens
August brings you the ponds at Waterloo Screens in the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Calendar. Located near Mierstock in the Forest, it played a key role in the history of coal mining within the area.
The site was used primarily for sorting coal by size, which was transported from nearby collieries via an inclined tramway known as "The Creeper". This tramway and its infrastructure were significant for the local mining operations in the 19th & 20th centuries.
Waterloo Screens served as a major processing and transportation hub during the area's coal industry peak. Operations ceased in the mid-20th century, and whilst overtime it's been taken back by nature, remnants of the screens, tramways and spoil heaps remain visible.
The location is now known for it's pond which is popular by anglers and is a lovely walk. However, the site is commemorated with a memorial for miners, honouring a significant flooding incident at the Waterloo Colliery in 1949. Old workings were breached and the whole pit flooded. However, what could have been a disaster was averted by small group of men who helped save 127 trapped miners and the mine cat, resulting in no lives lost. There is a memorial sculpture, created in 2022, beside the ponds.
Skirrid Fawr
Skirrid Fawr, or Ysgyryd Fawr, is a mountain sat just on the eastern border of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, giving incredible views of the park itself and Abergavenney.
It's name is thought to have come from the Welsh word 'Ysgyrid' meaning shattered or split, which is refence to its appearance caused by a landslide. According to local folklore, the landslip occurred at the moment of Christ's crucifixion, splitting the mountain in grief. It is sometimes referred to the 'Holy Mountain' for this reason and is a pilgrimage for some, believed to bring blessings or absolutions.
In the 13th-14th Century, the top was a site for St. Michael's Chapel, which remains are still there today. St. Michael is often depicted as a protector against evil forces, which is why you probably see chapels that sit on top of mountains commonly dedicated to him. In stark contrast to the splitting of the mountain because of Jesus, some stories reference the Devil playing a role. Either way, in a much broader sense, it represents the duality of good and evil and creates a 'liminal space' where the physical and sprirtual worlds combine, which is thought to have derived from Celtic traditions. If you're lucky, you may spot some ghosts of the pilgrims and monks still lingering around the chapel's ruins.
The Kymin
Sat upon the hill overlooking Monmouth and, in the far distance, the eastern mountains of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park is the roundhouse, The Kymin. Despite this being a bit of a crossover image for the 2 calendars, this one is September in the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley one.
The building was built at the end of the 18th Century, it served as a banqueting house and a space for dining and social events for a group of Monmouth gentlemen. They were the members of the Monmouth Picnic Club - an activity I could get involved in for sure!
Lord Nelson, alongside Lady Hamilton and Sir Wiiliam Hamilton, visited the Kymin in 1802 as part of a Wye Valley tour making it a significant national importance, especially amongst the Navy. Next to the roundhouse is a Naval Temple built to honour British Naval victories and admirals of the time.
It is now owned by National Trust, and the Kymin recently became a holiday home you can rent. Note - this was taken before, but the grounds are still open to the public allowing you to get up close. You will see in the photo, this was captured at night, and the bright stars are actually Venus (on top) and the three are mars and the constellation of Gemini.
Calendars Available Now
Both my Forest of Dean & Wye Valley, and Bannau Brycheiniog calendars are available to buy now. As we head into December, it's worth noting we are approaching final delivery dates in time for the festive period. So get those orders in soon.
I am also offering 10% when you buy 3 or more, so excellent value for presents.
Visit my store for more, and thank you for reading.
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