THIS week the Dyfi Valley is featured in the S4C TV series, Cynefin.

The valley lies between the sea and the mountains and is home to the breathtaking river and estuary which have breathed life into unforgettable myths, awesome nature and some of the greatest legends of our history.

During the programme viewers will hear about the rich folklore of the area, the wildlife which thrives on the riverbanks of the Dyfi and the links the valley has to the history of the Princes of Wales.

When you think about the industrial revolution in Wales it is most likely the coal mines and iron furnaces of the south that come to mind but its impact was felt in Aberdovey too.

David Roberts explains the link with the town and its influence on the shipping trade: “Between 1830 and 1888 hundreds of ships and boats were built here. There were seven yards, six down in Penhelig and one close to the beach.

“John Jones ‘The Beach’ was the name of that ship builder, and there is a funny story that they built a ship in the yard but couldn’t get it down to the beach as there was a house in the way.

“They needed to destroy part of the house but there was an old woman there, laid up poorly in bed. So they had to move her out, demolish a section of the house, and then launch the boat across the beach into the sea.

“Many of the villages’ houses have been named after the old ships like Maglona and Myfinia, ships which represented this bygone era. And while the names will endure forever more, the ships are now long gone.”

A stone’s throw from the village of Llanwrin there now stands a forest, but centuries ago this land looked very different and was the scene of a legendary battle as presenter Siôn Tomos Owen explains: “According to local legend, two armies met here in 1282 just before the death of Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf (Llywelyn the Last).

“They say he was here to face the bloodthirsty, fierce English army who wanted him dead. By his side was Gweinfab, who made the ultimate sacrifice and took an arrow for his Prince so that Llywelyn could escape. If you look closely you can see small mounds on the slopes and according to folklore, those are the graves of the English who died on that day. To this day this place is known locally as ‘Pant y Saeson’ or ‘Pant Rhiw Saeson’ (The English Hollow).”

So join Siôn, Heledd Cynwal and Iestyn Jones on S4C as they take an unforgettable trip around the Dyfi Valley on Sunday, 27 January at 8pm.

Over the coming weeks they will also visit Abergwyngregyn, Llanrwst, Swansea and the Ystwyth Valley.