Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Devil's Bridge |
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| Population | 455 (2011 census) |
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| Principal area | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
Devil's Bridge (which is Pontarfynach in Welsh, meaning "The bridge on the Mynach") is a small village in Ceredigion, Wales. It's famous for a special set of three bridges that are built one on top of the other. These bridges cross the River Mynach and give the village its English name.
The village is located on the A4120 road. It is about 10 miles (16 km) east of the town of Aberystwyth. In 2011, about 455 people lived in the Pontarfynach area.
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What Makes Devil's Bridge Special?
The Amazing Three Bridges
The village is most famous for its three unique bridges. They cross the Afon Mynach, which is a smaller river that flows into the River Rheidol. What's really cool is that these three bridges are stacked on top of each other! The older bridges were never taken down. Instead, new ones were built right over them.
The river has had a bridge here for a very long time. The first one was a wooden bridge built sometime between 1075 and 1200.
The Legend of the Devil's Bridge
There's a fun legend about how the first bridge was built. An old woman lost her cow and saw it on the other side of the river. The Devil appeared and offered to build a bridge for her. But there was a catch! He wanted the soul of the first living thing to cross it.
When the bridge was finished, the clever old woman threw a piece of bread across. Her dog ran over the bridge to get it. So, the dog became the first living thing to cross, and the Devil only got the dog's soul!
How the Bridges Were Built
The lowest part of the current bridge is very old. It's a stone arch, and it's the oldest part of the structure still standing today. It might even be from the Middle Ages.
In 1753, the bridge needed repairs. A second stone arch was added because people thought the first one might not be strong enough. The builders used the old bridge to help them build the new one.
Then, in 1901, an iron bridge was built on top of the other two. This made the road flatter. Later, in 1971, the iron parts were fixed and made even stronger.
Jacob's Ladder and Waterfalls
Right where the bridges are, the River Mynach drops about 90 meters (295 feet) in five big steps. It's like a giant staircase of water! This happens in a narrow, deep valley before the river joins the River Rheidol.
There's a path with stone steps called Jacob's Ladder. It's a popular walk for visitors. The path leads down to a modern metal bridge below the beautiful waterfalls.
A Look Back in Time
The Name of the Village
In 1629, the village was called Pont ar Vynach or Pontarfynach in Welsh. This means "Bridge over the Mynach." The Welsh word mynach means "monk." One idea is that the river got its name because it was near land owned by a monastery (a place where monks live).
The English name, Devil's Bridge, first appeared in records in 1734. The bridges themselves are considered very important historical structures. They were officially listed as "Grade II Listed" buildings in 1964. This means they are protected because they are a "remarkable succession of three superimposed bridges" and "one of the best known picturesque sites in Wales."
Fun Things to See and Do
A Popular Tourist Spot
Devil's Bridge has been a popular place for tourists for hundreds of years! People started visiting this area in the mid-1700s. There has been an inn or hotel here since before 1796.
The area used to be part of the Hafod Estate. This estate was owned by a man named Thomas Johnes. He built a small hunting lodge, which later grew into an inn. The building burned down once but was rebuilt. It has been known as the Hafod Hotel since the 1860s.
Famous Visitors and Art
Many famous people have visited Devil's Bridge. The artist J. M. W. Turner drew sketches of the bridge. These drawings are now in the Tate Gallery in London. He also painted two watercolours of the area in 1795.
In 1824, the poet William Wordsworth wrote a poem called To the Torrent at the Devil’s Bridge, North Wales. The famous English writer George Borrow also wrote about his visit to Pontarfynach in his book Wild Wales (1854).
Devil's Bridge on TV
Tourism to the area grew even more after the bridge and the Hafod Hotel were shown in the TV series Hinterland. This show has been watched in many countries. In the show, the hotel was shown as a children's home that had been closed.
Many tourists also enjoy the nearby nature trails, the beautiful waterfalls, and riding the historic steam railway. Other interesting places and attractions are just a short drive away, including some in Aberystwyth.
A Welsh painter named Mary Lloyd Jones (born in 1934) was born in Devil's Bridge. She is now based in Aberystwyth.
If you want to visit, the address for the Devil's Bridge area is Woodlands, Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion, Wales, SY23 3JW. The bridge is on the A4120 road, and there are signs to guide you from the village center.
Getting Around
The Vale of Rheidol Railway
Devil's Bridge railway station is the end point of the historic narrow-gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway. This special train line opened in 1902 and runs between Aberystwyth and Devil's Bridge. It's a fun way to see the countryside!
Bus Services
The village also has one bus route, the 522. This bus travels between Tregaron and Aberystwyth. It runs once a day in each direction on weekdays and is operated by Mid Wales Travel.
