216 Route 28. LLANDRINDOD. From Craven Arms
Cedarstrom), with a large winter-garden and a theatre. Near Pen-
wyllt we cross the watershed and begin the descent into the valley
of the Tawe. — At (60 M.) Colbren Junction the line to Neath
(p. 207) diverges to the left. Farther on we have a retrospect of the
Carmarthen Van on the right. ■— 78 M. Swansea (Swansea Vale
Stat), see p. 207.
28. From Graven Arms to Llandrindod, Llandovery,
and Carmarthen.
84 M. Central Wales Railway (L.N.W.) in 3-4>/4 hrs. (fares 14s.
8d., 9s., 7s. */2d). — Through-carriages run by this route, parts of which
are very picturesque, from Manchester and Liverpool to Swansea and Tenby,
and from London to Tenby.
Craven Arms, p. 189. — 12'/2 M. Knighton (Norton Arms, R. or
D. 3s.; Swan), 6y2 M. to the N. of Presteign (p. 213), the county-
town of Radnorshire. Offa'sDyke (p.279) passes through Knighton.
— At (15 M.) Knucklas we quit the valley of the Teme and near
(19 M.) Llangunllo we cross the watershed (975 ft.) between that
river and the Wye. — 29 M. Penybont, 5'/2 M. from Abbey Cwmhir
(see below).
32 M. Llandrindod Wells (Rock House, R. 3s., D. 4s.; Old
Pump House; Llanerch; Bridge; Rail. Rfmt. Rooms), a pleasant
inland watering-place on the Ithon, with chalybeate and saline
springs. Spa Grounds have been laid out adjoining the springs,
and there is a small lake for boating. The Ithon affords fair angling.
Fine view from the top of the Little Hilt (850 ft.), to the E. of the
village. Drives may be taken to (10 M.) Cwmhir Abbey (Cistercian; 12th
cent.), to (12 M.) Rhayader (p. 214), to (8 M.) Builth (p. 214), etc.
Beyond Llandrindod the train descends to (37!/2 M.) Builth
Road (p. 214). For Builth Wells, see p. 214. — Farther on we cross
the Wye and ascend again. Just beyond (39'/2M.) Cilmery we pass
the glen of Cwm Llewelyn (p. 214). — 44i/2 M. Llangammarch
Wells (Lake Hotel, R. -Is. 6d., D. 5s., pens. Ag. per week, 1 M. from
the station; Cammarch, near the station, R. or D. 2s. 6d.), with a
mineral spring.
48 M. Llanwrtyd Wells (*Dolecoed, at the Wells, 1 M. from
the station, R. 4s. 6d., D. 5s., pens, from S'/o?- per week; Neuadd
Arms, Bellevue, in the village, 2/g M. from the station; Askomel
Arms, at the station), another prettily-situated and rising spa, with
sulphur and chalybeate springs, and a golf-course.
Excursions may be made to the top o£ the Sugar Loaf (1000 ft.); to
(6V2 M.) Abergwessin (Grouse Inn), with a handsome modern church ; to
Twm Shon Cutti's Cave; to the Nanthir Ravine; and to numerous other
points in the picturesque environs.
The next bit of the route, as the train ascends to the water¬
shed (830 ft.) between the Wye and Towy, is somewhat bleak and
uninteresting, but beyond the Sugar Loaf Tunnel (1000yds. long)
we obtain a fine view towards the S. — 55 M. Cynghordy.
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