EXPERIENCEWalkTalkTea(alisonswansonPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)1 AlisonSwanson

Walk, talk and tea in Eglwysfach

We are following the latest Covid19 guidelines, which can vary across the UK with local restrictions in some areas. Please do contact and keep in touch with your Experience host to check how these may affect your trip. 

  • Peace and tranquillity in this gorgeous corner of Wales

  • Natural beauty, in the Dyfi biosphere, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

  • Discover the influence of RS Thomas, Wales' greatest poet writing in English

St Michael, Eglwysfach, Ceredigion, SY20 8SX

Times

Visitors will be met at the church at 2pm, and the tour (with tea and cake) lasts 2 hours

Dates

The tour is available every Wednesday and Saturday between April to September.
Please get in touch if you would like to see if we have other availability.

Price

Adult : £10 per person

Children (5-15) : £5 per person

Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) : £25

Who can come

This tour is great for beginners, best suited for those over 5 years old

Group size

1-5 5-10 10-25

Walk, talk and tea in Eglwysfach.

Come and visit this grade II* listed church set in the Dyfi valley, mid Wales, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The church sits at the edge of the Ynyshir, RSPB Nature Reserve. It is adjacent to the A487, the main road connecting the university, seaside town of Aberystwyth with the historic town of Machynlleth

Visitors will have a talk on the history of the church and its links with the renowned poet RS Thomas (Vicar from 1954-1967). The tour will include a walk (weather permitting) on parts of the reserve or coastal footpath which inspired much of the work of RS Thomas during this period.

This will be followed by tea and cake in the Gothic setting of the 1833 church which was dramatically redecorated by Thomas and his wife, the artist Elsi Eldridge. They painted the pews black and adding dramatic wrought iron chandeliers made by Alan Knight.

The entrance to the churchyard is via the original lych gate dating from 1433 with the biers intact on each side. The churchyard is also the site of a Holy Well which has recently been renovated. The churchyard is a mass of wild flowers from April to July.

Come and explore and find a pirate’s gravestone and those of the Jeffreys of Glandovey Castle.

This tour is exclusive to ExploreChurches.



Additional details

This tour is organised and managed by Alison Swanson.

It's great for beginners.

Visitors will be met at the church at 2pm, and the tour (with tea and cake) lasts 2 hours.

It is best suited for those over 5 years old. Walking boots and waterproof clothing advised.


Facilities & refreshments

Toilets are in the church.

Afternoon tea will be served in the church. Please give 48 hours notice of any specific dietary requirements.

There is free parking outside the church. There is also room for a coach or minibus to drop off passengers. The nearest coach park is at the Cadw car and coach park, Dyfi Furnace, SY20 8PH.


Accessibility

Two walks are available depending on ability. Please have a chat with us at the time of booking. Walking boots and waterproof clothing advised.

The walk is uneven in places, which means that some areas of the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. It's similarly not suitable for pushchairs. Please contact us for details.


Contact your host

Alison Swanson

01654 781322