The brook and the tributaries leading to it run most of their course through Devonian Brownstones formation sandstone formed between 419.2 and 393.3 million years ago (mya).

Lower Hale Wood on the north side of the valley contains three Bronze Age round barrows labelled A, B and C, of funerary and ritual significance, which now lie in dense managed woodland.

[5] The rebuilt abbey (current remains) was completed in 1320, originally under the influence of Roger Bigod.

In 1536 the abbey, with its 13 remaining monks, surrendered, was dissolved and its lands granted to Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester.

In 2021, an arched, stone tunnel about 1.3 metres high inside, parallel to the Angidy and below the public footpath was discovered by electrical company workers.

Its purpose remains unknown but Cadw's initial estimation was that it dates from the 14th century, implying a connection with the abbey.

[11] In order to end reliance on imports of metal products in the Elizabethan era, a blast furnace was built between 1564 and 1566 in the valley using the expertise of the German Christopher Schutz and 20 of his compatriots.

In 1879, the Duke of Beaufort - also Henry Somerset, like his ancestor - granted a 40-year lease to manufacturers of charcoal and various types of wire, nails and other ferrous products,[15] but between 1895 and 1901 industrial activity ceased for what had been the leading wire-making centre of Great Britain from the mid 16th to late 19th century.

[30][14] The farming industry remains in the surrounding fields; there is local dairy ice cream and cheese production.

[32][33] Tourism continues to be a source of income with the remains of abbey on the other side of the Wye and different holiday experiences.

The various former sites of the brass- and iron-making industries that are scheduled monuments are features of the Angidy Trail, an 8-kilometre (5-mile) circular walking route, included in the Wye Valley National Landscape, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.