River Honddu (Powys) facts for kids
The River Honddu (pronounced hon-thee) is a river in Powys, a county in mid Wales. It's a smaller river that flows into a bigger one.
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Discovering the River Honddu
The River Honddu is a beautiful part of the Welsh landscape. It's known for its pleasant flow through the countryside. Let's explore where it comes from and where it goes.
What's in a Name?
The name 'Honddu' has a cool history! Early versions of the name were Hothenei and hodni. These words likely came from the old Welsh word 'hawdd'. 'Hawdd' means 'pleasant' or 'easy'. So, the river was probably named for its calm and gentle flow. Over time, the name changed to 'Honddey' and 'Honthy'. The letters in the middle of the word swapped places. This is a language change called metathesis. It's like when 'ask' sometimes sounds like 'aks'.
The River's Journey
The River Honddu starts its journey high up on Mynydd Epynt. This is a mountain range in Wales. From there, it flows southwards. It travels about 11 miles (17.7 kilometers). Along its way, many smaller streams join it. These streams add to its water. The Honddu doesn't have any very large rivers joining it. But it gathers water from many tiny trickles.
Where the Honddu Meets the Usk
The Honddu's journey ends when it joins the much larger River Usk. This meeting point is in the town of Brecon. The Welsh name for Brecon is Aberhonddu. This name actually means 'mouth of the Honddu'. It shows how important the river is to the town's history.
Places Along the River
A road called the B4520 road follows the Honddu valley. This road goes north from Brecon to Builth Wells. As you travel along this road, you'll see several small villages. These are often called hamlets.
Villages and Bridges
Some of these hamlets include Upper Chapel, Lower Chapel, Pwllgloyw, and Llandefaelog. Most of these places are built where bridges cross the Honddu. This made it easy for people to travel and trade in the past. Pwllgloyw is the only one not directly at a bridge crossing.
Brecon Castle's View
Near where the Honddu meets the Usk, you'll find Brecon Castle. This historic castle is now a hotel. It sits right at the lowest point where the river can be crossed. Imagine the castle guards watching the river flow by centuries ago!
A Natural Beauty Spot
For the last 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) of its path, the River Honddu flows through special protected areas. It is partly or completely inside the Brecon Beacons National Park. It also runs through the Fforest Fawr Geopark. These parks are famous for their amazing natural beauty. They protect the landscape and wildlife for everyone to enjoy.
