Bleddfa means 'the abode of wolves', and wolves were still to be found in Radnor Forest until Tudor times.
Bleddfa, Powys
The church dates from two main periods: the early 13th century and the latter part of the same century. However, the wooden bellcote dates from 1711, and the south porch is 15th century. The interior is one large space, whitewashed and with its original wooden roof.
For many years a mysterious mound at the west end of the church was thought to be a prehistoric burial chamber, but when it was excavated in the 1960s it was discovered to be the base of a substantial stone tower to the church. Excavations showed that the tower had been burned down, and it is assumed this happened during the revolt of Welsh patriot Owain Glyndwr in the 15th century. The church is the setting for the annual Bleddfa lectures, organised by the Bleddfa Trust, which seeks to unite creativity with spirituality through talks and activities.
Llandegley, Powys
The Pales Quaker Meeting House was built in 1717 and has been in continuous use as a place of worship since that time, the thatched building and attached cottage are Grade II* listed buildings and the adjacent graveyard has been in use since the mid 1600s.
Old Radnor, Powys
Burned during the Glyndwr risings in 1401, St Stephen's is a church with a history to rival any castle, , with a rare surviving medieval rood screen and possibly the oldest organ in the UK.
Presteigne, Powys
Presteigne is only just in Wales, the border here being formed by the River Lugg, which flows a few yards to the north of the church.
