We are compiling this directory of flowery burial grounds from across the UK, which we would recommend visiting if you are looking for a well managed site rich in wildlife and heritage. Burial grounds can have a rich array of plants, animals and fungi, and may contain the only surviving area of flower-rich grassland in a parish. All the sites listed here contain this habitat. To see the flowers at their best, late May to mid or end of July is usually the most suitable time to visit. However, do contact the site managers for more specific timings before you visit if this is important to you.
St Bride’s churchyard is in the centre of the village of Cwmdauddwr, next to the mid-Wales town of Rhayader in Powys. The churchyard is very large and is the resting place of at least several hundred persons. It is the traditional burial ground for Cwmdauddwr Village and the Elan Valley’s Nantgwyllt Chapel of Ease. The churchyard is about 80% full and is still open to new burials.
A recent survey commissioned by CfGA described the churchyard as a ‘herb-rich grassland’ with 14 high quality species identified with 68 species in total such as mouse-ear hawkweed, rough hawkbit and common catsear present throughout. Other nice acid grassland species were also present in small patches including heath speedwell and heath bedstraw. The policy of the church’s congregational meeting is to mow the grass bi-annually leaving several unmown patches to allow flowering and pollination.
The best time to visit is the spring and summer. The Gwastedyn trail links the seven churches of the Parish with a gorgeous walk around the banks of the River Wye and the Elan Valley. Details are available online.
- Good accessibility
- Wild flower Areas in spring/summer
The churchyard is level throughout with a tarmacked drive leading to the church.
There is a bench next to the church.
There are bus stops in Cwmdauddwr and Rhayader. The nearest train station with bus links is in Llandrindod Wells.
Bus timetable at https://bustimes.org/localities/rhayader
The map below will take a few seconds to load. You can search for a burial ground either by county, or by the name of the burial ground, or by clicking the markers on the map.
Add your burial ground.
If you would like to nominate a flowery burial ground that you manage for inclusion in our directory, please complete the form here. We will review all submissions before inclusion in the directory, so please understand you won’t see your burial ground immediately.Â
