Ystradfellte is chiefly known in history as the place where the Welsh nobleman and rebel leader Llywelyn Bren surrendered at the end of his revolt of 1316. Llywelyn gave himself up on the condition that his men be spared, but was himself put to death in 1318 at Cardiff.[2]
The village was connected to mains electricity in 1960, as one of the last communities in the whole of England and Wales to be wired.[3] Outlying properties in the Nedd Fechan valley had to wait until December 2005 for their connection.[4]
The village is a popular tourist centre for its hillwalking, waterfalls and caves along the nearby rivers. Ystradfellte has a public house, the New Inn, which provides camping facilities for visitors,[5] and Croydon Caving Club. It comes under Aberdare for postal purposes making it the only part of Powys that Ocado deliver to.
The surrounding area is renowned for its caves and karst scenery, making caving a popular activity. Some of the more famous caves near the village include:
The area is seen as part of Waterfall Country. A popular attraction near the village is the Waterfalls Walk, an easier walk along the Afon Mellte past two main falls on the river, Sgwd Clun-gwyn and Sgwd Isaf Clun-gwyn, to Sgwd yr Eira on the Afon Hepste, where the footpath passes behind the waterfall.[8]
^Norton, M.G.; Savage, D.; Standing, P.A. (1967). "The Little Neath River Cave, South Wales"(PDF). Proceedings of the University of Bristol Spelæological Society. 11 (2): 186–200. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
