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Devil's Bridge

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Devil's Bridge is a village about 12 miles inland from Aberystwyth which is famous for its water falls, three bridges on top of one another (see photo 1), its legend about the Devil and for its narrow-gauge railway.

See the "Devil's Bridge to Rhayader" drive on the "Drives" page of this website for a scenic route that includes the village.

For a map of Devil's Bridge click here. Details of printing the map are given on this site's map page. On the map:

• The A4120 at the left of the map goes to Aberystwyth and is the suggested route from there given on the "Drives" page.
• The A4120 from the top of the map joins the A44 at Ponterwyd.
• The B4574 is the turning for Cwmystwyth if you are following the "Devil's Bridge to Rhayader" drive on the "Drives" page of this website.

Tourist Information

Click here for more information on Devil's Bridge.

Parking

• Free car park just over the bridge on the opposite side of the river to the B4574.
• Limited road parking opposite the Hafod Arms Hotel (at the junction of the B4574 and A4120).
• At the Vale of Rheidol railway station (not free). This is on the A4120 halfway between the B4343 and the B4574.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Vale of Rheidol Narrow-Gauge Railway

The railway starts in Aberystwyth and so see the Aberystwyth page for details.

The railway station in Devil's Bridge is on the A4120 halfway between the B4343 and the B4574. It is a great place for kids to look at the steam trains, my daughter loves to photograph them here. The station also has a small cafe.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Bridges and Falls

When you cross the bridge in the village you are in fact on the upper most of three bridges built one on top of the other (see photo 1). The lowest bridge has a legend about the Devil attached to it. I first told this story to my daughter and showed her the actual bridge when she was two and a half. She was totally captivated by it, it's just like telling your children a story like the "Billy Goats Gruff" and then showing them the actual bridge where it all happened.

Click here for the Devil's Bridge Legend.

You can see the three bridges from two viewing platforms, one on the Devil's Punch Bowl walk and the other on the walk to the see the famous waterfalls. One of my daugthers managed both walks at two and a half but the other one would struggle with the falls walk even at three. For both walks please bear the following in mind:

• The pathways are rough and so sensible shoes are required.
• The fencing is not child proof and so you will need to keep hold of small children.
• On the falls walk there is a long stretch of very steep steps down into the ravine. Small children would require to be one-to-one with an adult.
• I would only try the falls walk on a dry day.

Having said that, my daughter found the falls walk a huge adventure and was so proud to have completed the challenge (however, see the disclaimer at the bottom of the page). She also adored being able to see where the legend took place.

The Devil's Punch Bowl walk is very short whilst the falls walk could take an hour with a small child.

If you intend to travel to Devil's Bridge by the Vale of Rheidol railway and want to do the falls walk then you will need to check the timetable to ensure that you have enough time. When we did this trip we found ourselves with time to kill before the return journey. We took some books and drawing paper and sat on the seats in the woods at the start of the waterfalls walk.

Phone 01970 890233 more information on the falls walk and Devil's Punch Bowl walk.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Shops and Eating

The following is a listing of the cafes and shops.

• Village shop with tea room and garden: by turning for B4343.
• Village post office with gift shop and tea rooms: opposite the entrance to the Vale of Rheidol railway station.
• Vale of Rheidol railway station: cafe and gift shop.
• Hafod Arms Hotel cafe: by the bridge.
• Gift shop at the bridges.
• Camp site cafe: 100 yards over the bridge on the opposite side of the river to the B4574

Information last reviewed: 23rd/9/06.

Toilets

There is a good set of public toilets up a short lane opposite the entrance to the Vale of Rheidol railway station.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Other Attractions in the Area

Bwlch Nant Yr Arian

Nant Yr Arian (phone: 01970 890694) is a forestry commission visitors centre that has an excellent child (and small wheeled buggy) friendly walk around a lake (see photo 3). On the way round the lake are information points and animal themed wooden seats which our children love to look at. There is red kite feeding every day at 3pm bst (2pm winter). The large visitors centre has a cafe, gift shop, good toilets and two excellent wooden play grounds (one for under fives and the other for under fourteens).

To get to Nant Yr Arian follow the directions for the Ystumtuen Windfarm given below.

Information last reviewed: 10th/9/06.

Hafod Arch

Hafod Arch (see photo 2) offers a series of woodland walks through conifer forest and some deciduous areas. The short walk is one we have used with our kids since they started to walk and is probably just possible with a large wheeled buggy.

In Devil's Bridge take the B4574 turn for Cwmystwyth next to the bridge itself. This road is on the scenic drive from Devil's Bridge to Rhayader. After about 3 miles you will pass under a stone arch that crosses the road. The Hafod Arch car park is on your immediate left. There is a map by the car park entrance and a set of basic toilets just below the arch.

Information last reviewed: 7th/9/06.

Llywernog Silver-Lead Mine Museum

This museum is on the A44 at Llywernog, 8 miles from Aberystwyth and a mile in the Aberystwyth direction from Ponterwyd.

During your visit you will follow a trail around the old mine workings, looking at the buildings, water wheels, machines etc. You will also go on a guided tour down one of the old mine shafts and try your hand at gold panning. There is a tea rooms on-site and the large Red Kite Cafe (we often use this) is opposite the entrance.

At three and a half my daughter enjoyed the adventure of the mine shaft and learned a lot from following the trail and asking questions.

Click here for more information on the mine museum or phone 01970 890620.

Information last reviewed: 12th/8/06.

Ystumtuen Windfarm

This is an ideal complement to a visit to the "Cwm Rheidol Hydro-electric scheme" (see the Aberystwyth page).

From Ponterwyd follow the A44 towards Aberystwyth. After passing the "Llywernog Silver-Lead Mine Museum" (see above) and "Red Kite Cafe" you will see the windfarm (see photo 3). At the Aberystwyth end of the farm is a turning for Ystumtuen. Take this road, pass the electrical substation and park at the base of the track up to the farm itself.

From "Cwm Rheidol" turn right along the A44 at Capel Bangor. After about 4-5 miles you will pass the "Nant Yr Arian" forest centre (see above). The turn for Ystumtuen is the next turn on the right.

The track to the windfarm is not buggy friendly. My daughter was five when we first visited the windmills. We spent a fun afternoon drawing and photographing the tremendous scenery and the windmills themselves.

Information last reviewed: 7th/9/06.

Disclaimer: This site is based on the author's experiences with his own children and therefore the advice may not be applicable to other children. The comments provided are the author's own opinions and should be treated as such. The author does not accept any responsibility for any damage, loss or injury resulting from the use of this site.