[2] The Companion Guide to Wales describes Cwm Gwaun as "one of the most important meltwater channels from the last ice age to be found in the British Isles.

"[3] The River Gwaun rises in the Preseli Mountains near the village and its tributaries have carved heavily wooded steep, narrow side-valleys.

[4] Trees found in the valley include sessile oak, beech, alder, rowan, ash and willow.

"[6] The locals continue to follow the tradition of the pre-1752 Julian calendar and celebrate New Year (Welsh: Hen Galan) on 13 January.

Residents who did not welcome and reward the visitors were thought to get a "llond y tŷ o fwg" (English: a house full of smoke), meaning a year of bad luck.

[27] There are two places of worship: the Grade II listed medieval church of St Brynach (Church in Wales),[28] which is open daily to visitors, and Jabes Baptist Chapel, one of the few remaining chapels in Wales that have an outdoor baptistry that is filled from the local river.