Vaughan Walk through meadows, hedgerows and riverside.

Henry and Thomas Vaughan were twin brothers,  born in the immediate vicinity of Talybont-on-Usk in the 17th century. Both were writers and poets. Henry, the ‘Swan of Usk’, also practised as a doctor in the area for 40 years, using local plants as the basis of his prescriptions. Both Henry and Thomas Vaughan are also associated with the church at Llansantffraed: Henry is buried in the graveyard, Thomas was rector of the church.  They were fervent observers of nature and much of their work was inspired by the beauty of their surroundings, the fields, hills and woods, rivers, streams and waterfalls and the mountain vistas of the Talybont countryside.
The Henry Vaughan walk is a pleasant stroll through our beautiful countryside surrounded by abundant flora and fauna.
It is 5.3 km in length with rising to a maximum elevation only 50m above its starting point on the canal bank in the village.
The walk may be done in either direction. These instructions assume a clockwise route.
A leaflet is available to download here.

The Henry Vaughan Walk was created under the Welsh Assembly Government’s Sustainable Village Enhancement Scheme. The Project Leader was Seamus Hamill-Keays of the Talybont-on-Usk Community Council. In November 2005 he obtained a Grant of £25,00 to be distributed by Clare Parsons of the BBNPA.  The Interpretive Plan was drawn up by Su Meekins also of the BBNPA. Sam Ridge, NP Warden, advised on Public Rights of Way. Sarah Tindal, of Countryside Consultants, was instrumental in obtaining suitable path furniture. The late lamented Anne Cluysenaar and Peter Thomas of the Henry Vaughan Association provided expert guidance on the poetry selection on the panels and posts with Geraint Davies undertaking the challenging task of rendering Vaughan’s 17th Century English into Welsh. Jon Dixon, of  Anglezarke Dixon Associate,created the artwork displayed at points on the Walk, and St Bride's Church where the poet lies.