Walking in the footsteps of Owain Glyndwr and the Red Bandits of Mawddwy
Tours of one of the most beautiful parts of Wales that’s steeped in history, religion and legend are being provided by a professional guide who has a genuine passion for all things Welsh.
Arfon Hughes launched Dyfi Walking Tours (Teithiau Cerdded Dyfi) in 2020 to provide a tourist guiding service to the areas around Mallwyd, Dinas Mawddwy and Machynlleth, straddling the scenic Powys border with Southern Snowdonia.
Delving into the rich history of the area, Arfon follows in the footsteps of Owain Glyndwr, the last native Prince of Wales in the 15th century and introduces his customers to the feared Red Bandits of Mawddwy in the 16th century.
He’s also an expert on Dr John Davies, the 17th century vicar, translator of the Welsh Bible and architect of three bridges in the wilds of River Dyfi Valley. His fourth tour takes in the village of Dinas Mawddwy.
A minimum of four persons paying full price are required for each tour and places must be booked in advance. Bespoke tours for schools and parties can also be organised.
Full details of all the tours and how to book can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TeithiauCerddedDYFIWalkingTours/services .
Arfon takes visitors to iconic buildings, historical settings and marvellous countryside whilst telling stories of poverty, religion, war, literary achievements, Welsh language place names, nature, farming over the centuries, protest and bandits.
“I provide a professional tourist guide service, offering historic and contemporary knowledge of the region,” said Arfon. “My customers are told stories about people and hear songs which mesmerize them.
“By walking in the wonderful Welsh landscape and its biodiversity, they get to understand what has made this part of Wales so unique. I aim to make the tours an enjoyable, fun, memorable and interesting experience.
“I have a lively interest in and a genuine passion for all things Welsh. My main interests lie in social Welsh history, language, agriculture as well as the arts, media and culture.”
A native Welsh speaker with a degree in communications, Arfon is originally from North Wales farming background and has more than 30 years’ experience in community development, Welsh Language history and culture.
He was inducted as a member of the Gorsedd of Bards of the National Eisteddfod of Wales for his community development work in Dinas Mawddwy.
His Owain Glyndwr and Machynlleth Tour includes the history of Wales’ famous independence fighter, Parliament House and Machynlleth town. Most of the tour, which takes around 90 minutes, is on level ground, starting at Parliament House.
Dr John Davies Mallwyd Tour takes more than three hours, with walkers meeting at the Brigands Inn, Mallwyd. The Red Bandits (Gwylliad Cochion) Tour, which includes Mallwyd and Cwm Dugoed, takes more than five hours and includes paths on land and tarmac with gradient.
The Dinas Mawddwy Tour lasts 90 minutes, with starting times at 10am and 2pm.
Dyfi Walking Tours is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation representing around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.
Picture caption:
Arfon Hughes (centre) with customers on one of his Dyfi Walking Tours.