'A serious deepish paved ford, about 30ft long, across the River Tanat immediately above its confluence with the Rhaeadr. With 6" to 8" of water, it's a fair challenge for an ordinary car, especially as there are now sharp lips each side. The asphalt road through the ford is public, despite the misleading appearance given by the signs and landscaping of Plas Tanat, the large house on the north bank. Footbridge; no signs or depth gauge.' Mouseover sent in by Roger Westwood (01/10/2007)

'Unsure whether if the vehicle rights remain on this road as it didn't look used for many years the banks of the river have been eroded away on both sides and one side is very soft which made it difficult to get the bikes out it, is a river and not a stream so was about 2ft deep. we crossed it after a week of real hot weather if there had been any rain I don't think we would have done it.'

'About 10 yards across with little water in summer (Image 2). It must have quite a bit in winter (Image 1) as the footbridge has now been washed away!'

Abergwesyn (x3!)

'The Mountain Road from Abergwesyn to Tregaron, over the Devil's Staircase, has for seventy years or more been one of the most celebrated trials and rally sections in Britain, of which a major hazard was long the triple fords at Llannerch-yrfa, where the road crosses and recrosses the infant Irfon. (Image 1 shows the three fords viewed from the west)

Although the rough shale surface has been replaced by asphalt, some of the bends have been eased, and the fords have been downgraded to Irish bridges, "the Abergwesyn" remains a challenging drive against the clock, especially on a stormy winter's night, when the fords are still capable presenting you with three seething torrents to cross. More than one rally car has been swept downstream - don't believe, though, the tall tales of anyone rejoining the road at the next ford down! (middle ford shown in Image 2: mouseover sent in by Simon Jobson)

The surrounding land of Abergwesyn Common now belongs to the National Trust, and the fords have become a popular spot for visitors to pause.' (last two fords pictured in Image 3 showing the curvature of the stream)

'Although a white road on the OS map, this is part of a gated loop of asphalt roads up into a beautiful, remote valley. The ford was replaced by an Irish bridge a decade or so ago.'

'This is the old ford the road now has a new bridge. depth was about 1foot in November'

'At the end of a forestry track i've seen cars going through here while out on a Sunday picnic.'

'In the upper reaches of the secluded Senni valley is this Irish Bridge, complete with footbridge alongside. No signs apart from the marker post visible in the photo. There are more fords along a nearby RUPP marked on the 1:25000 map but I haven't had chance to investigate them.'

'The main stream flows under the road, but a small tributary runs across on a concrete base. The water was about an inch deep and two feet in width. Signs and footbridge are not considered necessary, and there is no indication of a ford here on the OS maps, either. Be prepared for the farm dogs to escort you if you approach from the north.'

'Must have a 4x4 to get down a set of rock steps, as with all fords, the weather plays a large part in the severity of the crossing.'

'Pretty ford on a public byway, with new wooden footbridge. The steep hill up on the eastern side is motorable only in a 4x4, and would make a challenging trials section; those in ordinary cars can walk the 50 yds down from the tarmac road above.'

'Approaching from eastern side (in our Suzuki Jimny) there are two short tracks that go down to a gate from the road, one of the track being easier (more grass than rocks) than the other. Once through the gate the ford was only about 6” deep and easy to negotiate. This was 4 weeks after the recent floods and heavy rain. I would guess that this ford would always be possible to cross even in spate. Through the ford up the track on the otherside, I was not 100% sure of access rights and after 400m farm buildings could be seen, so I turned around and came back the same way as I had come. Very pretty location and fairly well hidden from the road by the trees.'Paul Gatens

Bwlch (x2!)

'A beautiful, peaceful spot, nestled in an upper fold of the Black Mountains underneath Lord Hereford's Knob, in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Two streams are crossed by little concrete watersplashes, about 3ft and 6ft across respectively, and barely an inch deep when not in spate. Just below, where the streams converge, the farmer years ago built a dam where the water could be penned up for sheep dipping; it is still there (below), but modern regulations (and the strength of the chemicals now employed) mean that it is no longer used. A magical place for a family picnic.'

'This one lies on a stony road between two graveyards, though you don't have to pass through either of them to reach it from the 'main' road along the Vale of Ewyas. Beside the ford is a narrow modern bridge, but tyre marks indicated that tractors still have to use the broader ford. There is a rutted stony approach from either end, and the ford bottom is stony and irregular, about a foot deep at some points. It is just over a tractor's length. Hardly surprising that there are no warning signs or depth gauge, but it is indicated on the OS Explorer Map.'

'Width varies from between 5 and 20 yeards. The byway is currently subject to a TRO banning all vehicles, but that is due to be reviewed at the end of November 2006. Suitable for expereinced off-roaders only.'

'This ford is on a well known byway, known as the Monks Trod, which has an almost permanent TRO jointly issued by the 2 County Councils. The TRO has been agreed by CRAG/GLASS and I think the TRF, as being correct as the byway crosses a known impossibly deep peat bog that is also a SSSi. All parties agree that the use of this "lane" is totally inappropriate and that any use should be totally discouraged. Please approach the relevant bodies for advice before visiting.' Graham Davis

'Part time ford on gated asphalt lane; as the photo shows, the stream dries up in summer.'

'This ford across the River Irfon is on a signposted public bridleway, just off the yellow road from Llanwrtyd Wells to Abergwesyn; it is probably part of an old pack pony route, more ancient than the road. It is still used by riders and agricultural or forestry vehicles; although you do have to know where the exit is on the other side, as it isn't visible from this bank. No footbridge, either; not recommended for walkers except in waders or a diving suit.'

'Shallow ford on a rough green lane.'

'In the 1960s, the public white road through this ford was much used by night rallies; now, it's suitable only for 4x4s. The ford itself has a gravel bottom, about 6" deep and 20ft across. There's a footbridge, but no signs. Interestingly, the stream forms part of the national border between England & Wales'

'Shown on OS map as a bridge but really it's an Irish bridge on drive and possible RUPP but haven't checked the Definitive map yet. Obviously gets covered regularly by the amount of wet that was on it last weekend and the height of the bridge to the side!'

'Easy entry from North, with signs of original gravel entry to ford. Bottom of ford covered in small rocks. I suspect that the ford can be deep in times of flood. Exit tricky as it can be muddy with large ruts across track. Once over the ruts across grass to go back on road. Road Bridge alongside ford. No signs of other vehicles using this ford.'

Dol-y-gaseg (x2!)

'The two fords mentioned on the OS map are in fact a pair of substantial Irish bridges, the more southerly perhaps unique in being depicted by the OS with both the conventional sign for a bridge and the word Ford. It is on a public road, and retains its footbridge close by. (Image 1)'

'The more northerly was built by the Forestry Commission for access into Dyfnant Forest. (Image 2)'

'Rough ford, already deteriorating badly. The ford was replaced by the nearby bridge in the 1960s, but is still there, and usable on the Shropshire side at least into the stream (actually a very juvenile River Teme). However, I could not see an exit ramp on the Powys side, while the old road that side is totally overgrown.'

Ffoesidoes (x3!)

'The asphalt road from Kinnerton ends at this ford, the road beyond is a public bridleway. A broad gravel-bottomed pool, at least a foot deep in the middle - keep to the edges. Footbridge. (Image 1)'

'Behind the farm is a pair of small gravel-bottomed fords across what used to be a good unsurfaced local road but which has now deteriorated into a rough track, becoming overgrown at the north end, but still passable in a 4x4 or trials car. This ford is about 6ft across and 6in deep; footbridge. (Image 2)'

'The second of the two watersplashes on this derelict road. About 6ft across and 4in deep; sharp lip on edge. Footbridge. (Image 3)'

Glancwmddwr (x2!)

'First and foremost, on the approach road you can see a very interesting sign referring to the need for a ‘raised air intake.'

'The main ford at Glancwmddwr, across the River Irfon, is an impressive example. It is about 30 yards across, with 'natural' bottom; the depth varies by the hour, depending on recent rainfall in the nearby Cambrian Mountains, but the farmer at Glancwmddwr farm reckons that its not usable by cars. I didn't try, but the locals regularly come this way in their 4x4s. Although white on the OS map, the road from the north is in fact a gated asphalt public lane. There's no depth gauge, but there is a fine new footbridge arching high across the water. (Image 2)

At the farm itself, a quarter of a mile to the north, there's a second ford, where a small stream broadens into a wide pool that no doubt also served as the cattle drinking supply and the duckpond. Footbridge out of shot to right of picture. (Image 3)'

Glanyrafon (x2!)

'Glanyrafon Halt was a tiny station on the Cambrian Railways main line through Mid Wales. The road through here was a demanding section on night motor rallies in the 1950s and 1960s, involving a sharp bend with a drop off the edge, hairpin bends and a deep ford. Dr Beeching closed the railway line, and in about 1970 the road, now asphalted, was diverted across the old railway bridge. The original ford has been claimed by nature, but the bridleway and farm track up to Garth Fach uses one a few yards away. (Image 1)

Another ford about 300 yards away is crossed by the old local road from here south to Nantgwyn. This, like so many of the Welsh byways that have not been tarred, has been reduced by heavier agricultural vehicles and neglect to a grassy, rutted track, still motorable in dry weather with care. The ford is just a trickle in summer. (Image 2)'

'The River Glasnant runs alongside a large house also called Glasnant and then through the irish bridge.'

'An old ford across the broad gravel shallows of the River Elan immediately before it enters the Wye; perhaps 60yds across, and a foot deep in summer. Go to the south side, where a yellow road comes close; follow the old road through a gate to a broad grassy, tree-shaded riverside area. The north approach is also perfectly motorable, but the ford itself is strictly for high 4x4s and horses. Crossing the adjacent footbridge, swaying suspended from two cables high above the water, is an adventure in itself.'

'This ford may be on private land, as the road leading to it curves through a rough gateway and continues for about 200 metres to the ford. I saw no signs saying private, giving a farm name or anything similar. However there is a footpath shown on OS maps crossing the bridge beside the ford. The ford itself is quite wide and of even depth, I didn't go through it as I was on my bike with a full load of camping stuff (I didn't fancy sleeping in a wet tent that night) so I can't be sure how deep it is, perhaps up to two feet at most, but from the state of the banks it could probably turn vicious in winter weather. It is stony bottomed and looked a bit slimy, due to the slow water flow.'

'Approached from the South West you go through the farm at Gwaithla with a gate that accesses a tarmaced road. After couple of 100 meters you past a house with a large glass window to the front, at this point the tarmac disappears and turns into a rough deep rutted track that is narrow. Follow the track to the ford. The ford has an ancient (over grown) foot bridge adjacent. Bottom of the ford is rocky with a couple of deep holes. Once through the otherside the road climbs steeply on a rough track to another gate and then through another farm to the road. Access is unknown and should be checked. I noticed that both horse and cycles had been through the ford and up the track the otherside.'

'Track is a bit muddy on the approach, but the bottom of the ford is concrete so anything can go through it really.'

'Just outside Brecon, this is a vehicular access right of way and you must have a 4x4/motorbike to get here also.'

Info sent in from Gerraint Jones: 'The ford is no longer drivable due to the track on one side being destroyed to the extent that further use would cause even more environmental damage and possibly vehicle damage.'

'To find this one, follow the tarmac road from the church towards the old mill and pass an attractive millpond well stocked with ducks. Beyond, without warning signs or depth gauge, a fast-flowing stream crosses the road, a few inches deep and about one car's length when I visited. The base of the ford is concrete. A good footbridge accompanies. It is shown on the OS Explorer Map.'

Lluest-Dolgwiail (x2!)

'About 25 years ago, the ancient mountain road from Llangurig to the mines of Cwmystwyth was tarred by Powys County Council as far as the remote farm of Lluest-dogwiail, and the ford across Afon Diliw, the county boundary. The ford itself was untouched, and the road beyond remains a rough shale jeep track, passable by ordinary cars with care (and easier from west to east). Even if you don't want to tackle either, the four-mile drive from the A44 is worth taking to discover this remote and peaceful spot. The ford is about two car lengths across, and eight inches deep in summer.' (Image 1)

'A couple of hundred yards to the north, another shallow double ford crosses two small branches of the same stream to give access to the Forestry Commission roads of Tarenig Forest - motor vehicles not allowed, but cyclists and horse riders are welcome, and can get back this way to the A44 (perhaps via Pant Mawr ford).' (Image 2) Image 3 sent in by Wayne Foxall (03/10/2004)

'The bottom of the ford is gravel with a few large pebbles. Access is along a narrow dirt / tarmac path with quite a steep loose rock exit. The ford is suitable for most cars but not when the river is in full flood - 4x4 preferred. The ford is approximately four car lengths long and ranges in depth between 2" and 10" depending on recent rainfall. There is a foot bridge near by but not signs and the ford is quite concealed.'

'Once a feared hazard on night rallies (one sadistic organiser erected an "Up Periscope" sign on the approach), this famous ford has had its sharpest teeth drawn with the construction of a concrete base, which gives a normal depth of four inches or less; but it can still be daunting when the River Rhiw is high. Signs.'

'Steep hills either side lead a little tarred lane down to this charming concrete-bottomed ford with paved ramps, about a car's length across and an inch or so deep in summer, set between two picturesque modernised cottages. I called when the householder and his family were enjoying a classic car rally passing through (lower image). Footbridge.'

'This used to be a fine ford, much used by night car rallies, on a public byway over the hill to Cascob; but some years ago the Forestry Commission installed an Irish bridge as part of a scheme to provide a good gravel access road into Radnor Forest. No signs or footbridge.'

'This ford is on a track that goes to Dolgoch YHA in the Tywi Valley and is alongside a new looking steel bridge. Located a 100m from the Tregaron to Abergweswyn road. As approach the bridge take the small track on the left down to the stream, easily crossed. Once on the other side it is easy to climb the bank and come back over the bridge. The ford is on a stream that joins the Nant y Gerwyn and I suspect could be dry at some times of the year.'

'Until about 1970, the nearby yellow road came through this farmyard and its ford, but it was straightened to ease the passage of coaches from Clywedog and timber trucks from Hafren Forest, so now they are on a gated (but still tarred) loop. About a car's length across, and four inches deep.'

'This is on the River Tywi, which you cross and re-cross on the Strata Florida route. The ford is on a gravel road that runs from the mountain road down to the youth hostel at Dolgoch. Depth about 3” and not much more than 6’ wide. There is a bridge for the timid but it is only rated to 1.5 tons.'

'Near the Neuadd reservoir on the Gap road south of Brecon. It's only a yard across but is in a steep gully so the water level only rises and doesn't get wider! The approaches are VERY steep only for experienced 4x4 and trail bikes. The road is only open 'officially' in March & September.'

'Image 1 shows the west entrance to where the ford used to start. The route is now blocked by small trees and there is no trace of the route through the river. Image 2 is taken from the new bridge. I presume the exit on the east bank is where the light colour bushes are in the distance.' Image 3 shows a fantastic action aerial view of the ford.

Old Hall (x2!)

'The first is a tiny concrete watersplash on a gated asphalt road in the uppermost valley of the Severn - in summer, about a half a cycle's length across and a bike tyre's thickness deep. A small plank serves as footbridge.' 'The second is an agricultural ford across the river giving access to fields. It goes diagonally across the river and is atleast 15 metres long. Don’t know about depth but the surface looks decidedly rough!' Graham Davies

'Just off the A44, and clearly visible from it, this is a real colonial-style mountain torrent ford, which takes an old right of way across the stripling River Wye as it is still hurrying down the lower slopes of Plynlimon. Not really one for road cars, but OK for mountain bikers, horses and 4x4s (although unauthorised motor vehicles are not allowed on the Forestry Commission roads of Tarenig Forest, beyond).'

'Just off the B4390 half a mile west of Pant-y-Ffridd village, this ford lies on an old public lane obviously still used by 4x4s (although not readily motorable in an ordinary car. It's a roughish crossing of the River Rhiw, with pretty rapids on the upstream side. The nearest footbridge is 400yds downstream.'

Pengefford (x2!)

'There are loads of fords on the OS 25000 map RUPP between Twynffrwd SO186271 and Pengefford SO172300 Most are insignificant, but the two more substantial ones are shown here and are suitable for off-roaders only despite being approx. 6 yards across and 3" deep. The track is heavily used by Pony Trekkers in the summer months.'

'Despite being shown as a ford on the OS 1:25K, this is just a pathetic trickle on a rough public byway.'

Pen-yr-heol (x3!)

'Three fords, all shown on the OS Explorer Map, lie on the RUPP heading eastwards from the Pen-yr-heol. The first (Image 1) is where a small stream in a man-made channel crosses the grassy track over a stony base.

Further on the track deteriorates, so the second and third fords could only be safely reached in an off-roader. The second is by far the grandest of the trio: a shallow stream (Image 2) flows along the track for about 50 yards, over pebbles (of various sizes) and the bedrock itself, before another stream (about 4 yards across) from the opposite direction (Image 3) flows across the track. The bedrock is rather uneven here, so caution would be needed in driving across. The two watercourses would amalgamate on the track itself in wet weather, before tumbling away northwards.

The third ford (Image 4) is nearby in a steeper little valley. A small stream about a yard across and a few inches deep crosses the track on a base of stones and larger slabs of rock.'

'Another place where a much loved rally ford of the 1960s has been made into an Irish bridge.'

'About two and a half miles north of Rhayader on the A470, just after a long, tight left hand bend, pull into a large gravel layby opposite the turning to St Harmon. Follow the path down past the end of the attractive modern footbridge to find this old pack pony ford, complete with the remains of a set of stepping stones; a lovely spot. it is still used by riders to reach the bridleway up through the woods beyond.'

'Another beauty spot in the shadow of Lord Hereford's Knob, signs and footbridge presumably considered unnecessary. Not marked on the OS maps, either.'

'Tiny watersplash on rough byway.'

'Sadly the images were taken when the water level was very low, I have seen it a good six inches deeper than this.

Although the ford is suitable for all, the lane leading to the ford from the A489 can get rutted and muddy, probably due to farm traffic. The lane south of the ford is much tamer, but narrow.'

'A pretty little concrete-bottomed ford, a car's length across and about four inches deep, on an obscure and twisty tarred lane near Newtown.'

'It is on a RUPP that crosses the River Usk near Pont-ar-Hydfer, right near where the River Hydfer splits off. The river is crossed by a footbridge but the vehicular route is approximately 50 metres having to drive/ride slightly along the river to get to the exit point. We crossed it in November 2005 heading north on our off-road motorcycles. The lanes leading to it are rough and not tarmaced. There is a small island part way accross which has to be negotiated around (unless you're brave) Mouseover sent in by David Lang (29/04/2006)'

Sweet Lamb (x4!)

'The Sweet Lamb Rally Complex has been built by the Bennett-Evans family as a motor sport venue. They are famed sheep rearers and meat merchants, specialising in Welsh mountain lamb (hence the name), and also rally enthusiasts. A network of gravel and asphalt roads across several square miles of Plynlimon's hillside is used by motor clubs for a variety of events (including major international rallies), and by works teams for testing cars.

The complex contains at least four fords or watersplashes. One of them, at SN827850 adjacent to the main spectator area of The Bowl, is a purpose-built concrete trough, shown in Image 1. Close by at SN825848 is the concrete ford, about 10m across and 3in deep, shown in Image 2. Image 3 is a gravel ford at SN824845; at 11m across and 8" deep, this is more businesslike. Image 4 shows the gravel ford at SN824841, which is 6m across and 5in deep.'

'RUPP over the Dulas. Stoney bottom with a footbridge upstream.'

'Good firm base, bit rocky on southern approach to ford and rutted on North side (4x4 trucks only). Water was about 8 inches deep with good flat bed. Footbridge beside ford.'

'2 yards across with gravel bottom and no footbridge, on old unsurfaced county road.'

'Basically its one for offroaders only. Approached in each direction by a steep rutted track. The ford itself is rock based and rough and about 2' deep at worst. There is a foot bridge alongside.'

Further Info from Richard Thompson:
'On the OS 25000 map RUPP between Twynffrwd SO186271 and Pengefford SO172300 Is this a record for one road ? I have ridden this road on a motorcycle for over 20 years and they are all only about 2/3 feet across with little water except after melting snow. A keen 4x4 off roader with winch could possibly make it past the wash outs. Fords at SO186275, SO185281, SO184284, SO183286, SO182289, SO179291 & SO174295. Most are insignificant, but the two more substantial ones are listed under Pengefford.'

'Small Irish bridge with metal railings; nice new footbridge, no signs.'

'This river passes under this concrete splash so will only be wet after heavy rain fall.'