Is there time for a short, brisk walk?

From near the farm at the abbey entrance there’s a path up Velvet Hill, a National Trust property. There are wonderful views in all direction from the top. Not feeling energetic? Nor me so walk a little way to…

Eliseg

Half way between the Abbey and Abbey Grange Hotel just up the road on the same side as the abbey you will see Eliseg’s Pillar, erected in the early 800’s by the Lord of Powys. The top few feet were broken off about nine hundred years later and eventually is was re-erected. The base inscription is not now readable but it did say “Concenn, the son of Cateli; Cateli, the son of Brochmael; Brochmael, the son of Eliseg; Eliseg, the son of Cnoillain; Concenn, therefore the great-grandson of Eliseg, erected this stone to the memory of his great-grandfather, Eliseg.” Concenn died around 854.

Eliseg was related to Macsen Wledig the Emperor (died 387). He was an elevated Roman General who proclaimed himself leader of Britain and when he left Wales and Britain around 383 a power vacuum developed which has not been settled categorically ever since.

A little further on towards the Horseshoe Pass there is the Abbey Grange Hotel. There’s a free bouncy castle for the children and other games to play, you may be lucky and see the magnificent shire houses which are used to pull a brewers dray in many prestigious shows around the U.K. The Hotel is open to non-residents all day and you’re sure of a warm Welsh welcome. There’s stream fed pool fishing nearby, ask at the hotel.

A very short drive up the road brings you to the Britannia Inn, winner of many top awards for its flowerbed displays. It’s a very quaint inn, totally refitted and refurbished recently and a comfortable place to stop and rest a while.

Don’t miss the next part of the drive - up to the top of the famous and spectacular Horseshoe Pass and the Ponderosa Café and Craft Shop. All facilities and car parking are available here and its also a favourite meeting place for folks from near and far.

There are lots of walks across the hills or down the Pentredwr valley or just sit on a seat and take in the bracing air and watch the world go by.