Rhydlewis – Valley, Walking Routes and Literature

Rhydlewis lies in its own flat valley, through which the Afon Ceri flows towards the Teifi. Two specific themes can help you choose where to stay: a route near the ancient earthworks of Caerau, and local literary history featuring Caradoc Evans and Moelona. The landscape, routes and cultural history thus offer different points of interest to help you decide on your trip.

Valley and Walking Routes

A route from Rhydlewis passes close to the ancient earthworks of Caerau. This gives the route description a specific connection to a historic place in the landscape. For walkers interested in earthworks like these, this connection adds an archaeological theme to the choice of routes.

Two circular walking route distances are given. The longest circular route from Rhydlewis is about 8 miles (13 km) long. There is also a 7.7 km (4.8-mile) circular route for walkers around Rhydlewis. The shorter of the two stated distances is therefore the 7.7 km loop; the longer figure describes the longest circular route from Rhydlewis. Check route conditions before setting out; for the longest circular route, you should also pay attention to navigation.

Literature from Rhydlewis

Rhydlewis was the setting for “My People”, a collection of short stories by Caradoc Evans. His biography is also connected with the place: he moved to Lanlas Uchaf in Rhydlewis with his mother and four siblings, and returned there for his annual holidays. The Rhydlewis of his childhood became the fictional village of Manteg. This makes it possible to distinguish the real place, Evans’ life story and the literary fiction.

Rhydlewis is also associated with a Welsh-language author who wrote under the pseudonym Moelona. Her works include “Teulu Bach Nant-oer”. Together with Evans’ short stories, this connection offers another literary perspective on the place: one reference concerns a setting and its fictional counterpart, the other a Welsh-language author and a work attributed to her.

Twr-Gwyn and Local Tradition

The Twr-Gwyn Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in Rhydlewis was built in 1750; the present building dates from 1846. These dates refer to different building phases and should therefore not be read as the same date. The present building is in the “Simple Round-Headed” style and has a “long-wall entry” layout. These terms describe the building’s form and complement the chronological context of the chapel.

“My People” also records “Dydd Iau Mawr” as a local custom: an annual trip to the seaside on the second Thursday in August. The custom connects the literature with a specific local tradition and its documented date. When planning your trip, distinguish this historical account from the current walking route information.

Discover more destinations: Llangwyryfon, Aberporth, Llanon, Llangeitho, Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn, Cardigan, Pontarfynach, Tregaron.

For the wider travel overview: Ceredigion.