The legend of Devils Bridge

I used to live near a well known beauty spot called Pontarfynach, or Devils Bridge. It is really three bridges, built over a spectacular and beautiful waterfall, which rages down into a deep pool known as the Devils Punchbowl. The first bridge was built by the Monks of Strata Florida, (where the Holy Grail is reputed to have been hidden for a while) in 1075. In the 18th Century it was deemed to be unsafe, and a second bridge was built, over the first. The third bridge being built over that in 1901.

I thought it would be nice to share the legend of how the first bridge was built. There are a few versions, but this is my favourite:

There was an old woman who had a cow of which she was very fond, and which provided her with all the milk she needed. Early one morning she was distraught to find that the cow had somehow managed to cross the river and was now grazing on the bank the other side.

The old lady looked at the swirling river and wondered how she would be able to get her cow back.

“What the Devil can I do now?” she asked aloud.

Suddenly there was a smell of sulphur and a cloud of thick smoke, out of the middle of which appeared Old Nick himself!

“You called?” he smirked.

The old lady was made of stern stuff,.and after a moment’s hesitation, she explained her predicament.

Satan grinned wickedly.

“That’s easily sorted,” he said craftily, “I can build you a bridge – but it will cost you.”

“How much?” the old lady asked uneasily.

“Oh nothing much, just the soul of the first living thing to cross the bridge,” the Devil stated cunningly, knowing full well that she would have to cross the bridge herself to get her cow.

“Done!” said the old woman.

The Devil waved his arms and there, spanning the falls, was a beautiful new stone bridge.

The Devil laughed nastily, “now for my payment he said smugly.


The old lady was not as naïve as she appeared. She put her hand into her apron pocket and drew out a crust of bread which she had put there for her breakfast, and threw it across to the other side of the bridge. Immediately her little dog ran across the bridge and gobbled it up. Satan knew he had been outwitted, the soul of a dog was of no use to him; he scowled furiously and disappeared in an even bigger cloud of foul smelling black smoke, than the first, and was never seen in those parts again.

The old woman crossed the lovely new bridge, and having retrieved both her cow and her dog, made her way home, humming softly to herself.

The bridge can still be seen to this very day, and if you ever visit this part of Wales, be sure to take a trip on the delightful Devil's Bridge narrow gauge railway, which takes you through the mountains to the Devil's Bridge visitor centre.

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The Rheidol Steam Railway

www.Rheidol Railway.co.uk

You may remember I recently recounted the legend of Devil's Bridge and then last week we were at a steam rally.  Today I thought I'd link back to Devil's Bridge, and still continuing the theme of 'steam' tell you a bit about Rheilfordd Cwm Rheidol or the Rheidol Valley Railway.  I used to live on a hill overlooking the Rheidol Valley (pronounced Ray-dol') and the River Rheidol winding it's way through the valley and down to the sea. I could also watch the little steam engines on the narrow gauge railway , chugging their way into the mountains, the same mountains where I spent many happy hours long distance horseback riding.

Of course I rode on the trains myself, many times, and especially enjoyed taking my niece and nephew on the 'Cowboy Specials' where kids, and often their parents as well, would dress up as cowboys.  Then the train would be 'held up' halfway up the mountain by local students dressed up as indians.  I'm not sure if they still have the cowboy specials but  I do know they run a Halloween train and a Santa special.


The train runs from Aberystwyth to Devils Bridge, where it stops to give visitors time to look around the famous falls, and have a bite to eat, before the homeward journey.

This is what it says on the Rheidol Railway's website:

"Travelling on the Vale of Rheidol Railway is the finest way to explore the stunning Rheidol Valley. Opened in 1902, the railway has been delighting passengers young and old for over a century.

The clearing in the trees on the hill behind the train is known locally as 'the stag'

Feel the wind in your hair in one of our Open Summer Carriages or watch the scenery passing by from the comfort of our First Class Observation Saloons. See the countryside change as you travel through wide open fields and meadows, woodland and rugged mountain scenery, the line twisting and turning as it clings to the hillside. Alight at one of our recently restored intermediate stations and explore the many walks the valley has to offer. Listen to the sound of a powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive working hard to
climb 700ft (200m) in the 11¾ miles from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge.

Red Kite

Birds of prey such as Red Kite and Buzzards are regularly seen soaring high above the valley floor and breath taking views can be enjoyed by all. See our timetable below, and book your tickets online here.

The line is a masterpiece of engineering, opened in 1902 to carry lead ore, timber and passenger traffic. The narrow track gauge allows the railway to follow the contours of the terrain with many sharp curves and steep gradients which add to the railway's charm."

Finally, just so you get the flavour of this enchanting train ride, I'll leave you with the Vale of Rheidol's video

I am endebted  to the Vale of Rheidol Railway for their kind permission to use the video and other material on my blog.  Should you visit my beautiful homeland of Wales, and be anywhere near Aberystwyth, do book a ride which I can promise you will never forget, through some of the most breathtaking scenery you will find in the whole of the British Isles.  You can find out more about the Rheidol Railway by going to their website:

http://www.rheidolrailway.co.uk/