Cwmystwyth is one of the most magnificent valleys in the Cambrian Mountains and it is a landscape that is full of significant points of interest. Look around you when you visit at one of the most striking examples of a glacial landscape in the whole of Wales. Sculpted by ice, river, and hillslope processes over tens of thousands of years, the geology and landscape of Cwmystwyth make it a site of significant interest.
Signs of human activity in the valley, seen most clearly in the form of mining, can be traced back to the Bronze Age, about 2,700-4,300 years ago. The industrial archaeology from the 1700s and 1800s is particularly striking as it reflects the significance of the valley as a source of copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The mining industry attracted many people to the area. Miners’ cottages, a chapel, and a former school still dot the landscape. This history has given the valley a distinctive cultural heritage and a strong sense of community even today. The remains of the mine workings continue to provide a habitat for rare plants, as well as shelter for a wide variety of birds, bats and other animals.