The tiny idyllic village where no-one has moved house for a year because they love it

The charming village of Talybont-on-Usk, described on its community website as ‘as active as you want, as peaceful as you need’, is a idyllic slice of rural life.

Nestled within the awe-inspiring Bannau Brycheiniog Brecon Beacons National Park, it lies next to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, intersecting with the Caerfanell river and its tributary Nant Bwrefwr, which flow into the nearby River Usk.

This convergence of still and flowing waters adds an extra layer of natural beauty to the stunning landscape that envelops the village.

The panoramic views encompass mountains, fields, woodlands, and even waterfalls, stretching out to the horizon in every direction—an idyllic setting indeed.

While the nearby market towns of Brecon, Crickhowell, and Abergavenny offer facilities and amenities, the allure of the national park is irresistible.

This special corner of Wales beckons with opportunities for riding, rambling, biking, hiking, sailing on the Talybont Reservoir, and exploring the river routes—whether on land or water.

The region boasts a wealth of attractions, including the enchanting Blaen y Glyn waterfall nestled within Talybont Forest.

This natural wonder forms part of the Lower and Upper Blaen y Glyn Waterfall Walk, but it’s just one of many trails—both long and short—that beckon locals and tourists alike to explore the stunning scenery, reports .

As dusk descends, the area offers yet more delights. With minimal light pollution—and in some parts of the national park, none at all—stargazing becomes a mesmerising pastime.

Fishing and birdwatching are also popular leisure activities here, proving that this village is far from a sleepy hamlet. It’s a vibrant community where even a simple stroll around the village is a joy.

The village streets are adorned with charming stone period properties and pristine white-washed homes, interspersed with historic bridges.

Pedestrians can enjoy leisurely walks along the canal path, serenaded by birdsong and bathed in dappled sunlight when the weather permits.

This village and its surrounding areas have been a favoured dwelling place for millennia, dating back to the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. Stone relics from these ancient eras still stand proudly within the local landscape, bearing testament to the area’s rich history.

Fast forward to today, and according to the 2021 census, the village boasts a population of 684, consisting of 339 males and 337 females, with 118 residents aged between 0-17 years, 379 aged 18-64, and 179 over the age of 65.

However, if you’re looking to join this community and relocate to the village, finding a property might prove challenging.

This charming Welsh village is so unique that not a single home was sold here in 2024, as per property portal Rightmove. The most recent sale recorded in the village was in August 2023, based on the latest available Land Registry data.

According to Rightmove, the average house price in Talybont-on-Usk over the past year stands at £307,256, compared to the national average of £232,430, as reported by the Principality Building Society. Naturally, being a village means there are fewer properties on the market at any given time.

However, neighbouring villages such as Talyllyn and Llanfrynach have seen properties sold within their areas in the last year, unlike Talybont-On-Usk.

Julia, hailing from Brynmawr and having spent time in London with her husband, knew that when it was time to return to Wales, there was only one spot for them.

Now a resident for roughly a decade, Julia says: “We wanted to be somewhere where we could still be accessible to family in Hertfordshire and London, and we were looking for a village that had a shop, a pub and a community that we could slot into, and it’s got all of those.

“Actually there are two pubs which are both really good, a great shop and a café run by a lovely family who are just brilliant. It’s somewhere where we feel like we’re living in the middle of the country – it’s great, we absolutely love it here.”

The village life is vibrant with activities centred around the village hall, as Julia explains: “The hall is also used for parties”, and details the array of events including bonfire night celebrations, a village show, and plans for VE Day.

She says: “There’s lots going on but not everybody gets involved with everything, of course there are some people who prefer to keep themselves to themselves, but there’s lots going on and everything is advertised via posters in the village shop and at the bus shelter.”

The area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with Julia joining a local walking group to take advantage of the numerous splendid trails.

She says: “The walking is amazing around here, from the front door or just 10 or 15 minutes in the car, we’ve got the Beacons and the Black Mountains, you can get canal boats, you can get kayaks on the river, all sorts of stuff really.”

Julia is unsurprised by the scarcity of properties on the market in her village, she says: “Generally properties do get snapped up really quickly, I think people come and they stay, and there’s a lot of families who have been here a long time and a lot of people born and bred here actually.”

She says the allure of the area brings people back, including herself and her husband, and it’s a favoured spot for retirement. “People also come back to the area, like my husband and I have, and people retire here – it’s a lovely place to be, why would you want to be anywhere else?” she said.