Grongar Hill

 Grongar Hill is described as a "favourite Carmarthenshire picnic site with remarkable views," by William Spurrell in 1860. But its real claim to fame is a poem of the same name by John Dyer in 1726 and considered one of the better known poems of its day.

Grongar Hill from Cilsan Bridge.

"Grongar Hill invites my song,
Draw the landskip bright and strong;
Grongar, in whose mossy cells,     
Sweetly musing, Quiet dwells;
Grongar, in whose silent shade,
For the modest Muses made"





Today's reality however is not quite so poetic. A rather unkempt right of way leads most of the way up the hill, if you don't mind clambering over a few gates. But mud, fences and more locked gates make the last 100 yards or so far from inviting. Besides the hilltop has been left to go and is now covered with scrub and trees.

The Towy Valley from Grongaer Hill.

The view over the Tywi valley from near the top however is still as remarkable as Spurrell mentioned, and is there to be enjoyed. But no more so perhaps than the same view from the battlements of Dryslwyn Castle, a short way down the river, which has far easier access. Maybe John Dyer went there as well but couldn't find any words to rhyme.