Glyderau

Glyderau is a small hamlet situated in Powys, Wales, on the south‑western slopes of the Cambrian Mountains. The name derives from the Welsh word glyder, meaning “to guide” or “to lead,” and is recorded in medieval documents as “Glyderau” in reference to a group of waystations that aided travellers on the old road between Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells. The hamlet lies approximately 15 kilometres south of Builth Wells, with the B4515 road providing the main vehicular link and the nearest railway station, Llandrindod Wells, about 10 kilometres to the north.

Historically, Glyderau served as a rest point for shepherds and farmers; a 12th‑century stone cottage near the crossroads is still standing and has been confirmed by archaeological surveys as a site of early domestic occupation. In the 18th and 19th centuries the hamlet benefitted from the quarrying of local limestone, which supplied building material for churches and roadworks in the surrounding valleys. The limestone blocks were transported by packhorse to the nearby village of Sarn Brân, where they were laid into walls that still survive today.

Contemporary Glyderau is a sparsely populated community of about fifty residents, as recorded in the 2001 census. The local economy remains primarily agricultural, with a community farm that sells produce and offers a small roadside shop. The surrounding landscape is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its calcareous grassland, which supports several rare orchid species and a varied butterfly fauna. Walking routes, including a section of the Glyderau Ridge, attract hikers wishing to experience the classic Welsh upland scenery.