# Three Cocks

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Human settlement in Wales

Three Cocks Welsh: Aberllynfi Three Cocks Location within Powys Population n/a OS grid reference SO174378 Principal area Powys Preserved county Powys Country Wales Sovereign state United Kingdom Post town BRECON Postcode district LD3 Dialling code 01497 Police Dyfed-Powys Fire Mid and West Wales Ambulance Welsh UK Parliament Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament Brecon & Radnorshire List of places UK Wales Powys 52°02′34″N 3°12′05″W / 52.04278°N 3.20149°W / 52.04278; -3.20149

**Three Cocks** or ***Aberllynfi*** (Welsh: [\[ˌabɛrˈɬənvi\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Welsh)) is a village near [Glasbury](/source/Glasbury) in [Powys](/source/Powys), Wales. The [Welsh](/source/Welsh_language) name refers to the mouth of the [Afon Llynfi](/source/Afon_Llynfi_(Wye)) which enters the [River Wye](/source/River_Wye) a mile from the village. The nearest town is [Talgarth](/source/Talgarth) some 2.7 miles (4.4 km) to the southwest.

## Three Cocks Coaching Inn

Three Cocks inn sign

The curious English name of the village is comparatively recent and was taken from the former railway station ([Three Cocks Junction](/source/Three_Cocks_Junction_railway_station), now a garden centre) where the [Hereford, Hay and Brecon Railway](/source/Hereford%2C_Hay_and_Brecon_Railway) met the [Mid-Wales Railway](/source/Mid-Wales_Railway). The station derived its name from the 15th century Three Cocks Inn (a coaching inn, still extant[1][2]) which in turn took its name from the [armorial bearings](/source/Coat_of_arms) of former local landowners, the Williams family of Old Gwernyfed.[3] These were supposed to have been based on the arms of the medieval Welsh prince Einon Sais, who lived in Aberllynfi, but this is probably a later invention. The station, together with all the services which ran through it, was closed in December 1962.

Thomas Edwards, a former innkeeper of the Three Cocks, was also a bridge-builder, constructing the 7-arch Glasbury Bridge in 1777 (destroyed by floods in 1795) and rebuilding the 3-arch bridge over the Llynfi at Pont Ithel in 1783.[4]

## Gwernyfed

The original house and [deer park](/source/Medieval_deer_park) of [Old Gwernyfed](/source/Old_Gwernyfed) (Welsh: [\[ɡwɛrˈnəvɛd\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Welsh)), to the south of the village, is of medieval origin, but the house was extensively rebuilt in the 17th century.[5] In 1600 it was purchased by Sir David Williams, [MP](/source/Member_of_Parliament) for the [Borough of Brecon](/source/Brecon_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) (1584–93, 1597–1604). In 1613, it was inherited by his son, Sir Henry Williams, MP for the Borough of Brecon (1601–04) and for [Breconshire](/source/Breconshire_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) (1620–28). His son, also [Sir Henry Williams](/source/Sir_Henry_Williams%2C_2nd_Baronet), was also MP for Breconshire (1628–29).[6] On 6 August 1645, he was said to have entertained [King Charles I](/source/Charles_I_of_England) at Gwernyfed, following Charles' defeat at the [Battle of Naseby](/source/Battle_of_Naseby).[7] [Sir Edward Williams](/source/Edward_Williams_(died_1721)) was not a relation (despite his surname), but married the family heiress in 1675. This seems to have ensured that he too became MP for Breconshire (1697–98, 1705–21).[6] In 1776, Thomas Wood also married the family heiress.[8] Their son, [Thomas Wood](/source/Thomas_Wood_(1777%E2%80%931860)), was MP for Breconshire for forty-one years (1806–47). He enjoyed the friendship of members of the royal family and [King George IV](/source/George_IV_of_the_United_Kingdom) visited him at Old Gwernyfed.[8] The house is now a [grade I listed](/source/Grade_I_listed) building.[9] The gardens and park are listed at Grade II* on the [Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales](/source/Cadw%2FICOMOS_Register_of_Parks_and_Gardens_of_Special_Historic_Interest_in_Wales).[10]

Gwernyfed Park, a much later [Jacobean-style](/source/Jacobean_architecture) house within the deer park, was built for Captain Thomas Wood by [William Eden Nesfield](/source/William_Eden_Nesfield) in the 1870s.[11][12] During the Second World War, it was requisitioned and used by the [South Wales Borderers](/source/South_Wales_Borderers).[13] Since 1950, it has formed part of [Gwernyfed High School](/source/Gwernyfed_High_School). A [rugby union](/source/Rugby_union) club, [Gwernyfed RFC](/source/Gwernyfed_RFC), was founded at the school in the 1960s, but now plays at and represents the nearby town of [Talgarth](/source/Talgarth). Gwernyfed Park is now a [grade II* listed](/source/Grade_II*_listed) building.[14]

## Aberllynfi parish and community

Aberllynfi was once a separate ecclesiastical [parish](/source/Parish), but its church fell into disuse in the 18th century.[15]

Following local government reorganization in 1985, the former [Community](/source/Community_(Wales)) of Aberllynfi has been placed in the Community of [Gwernyfed](/source/Gwernyfed), together with the neighbouring village of [Felindre](/source/Felindre%2C_Gwernyfed) and the southern part of the village of [Glasbury](/source/Glasbury).[16]

In August 2025, the [British Cycling](/source/British_Cycling) website censored the name of the village.[17]

		- Three Cocks Junction with signalbox and Refreshment Room c1960

		- Three Cocks Junction Station in 1949

		- The Three Cocks Inn

		- Old Gwernyfed

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["The Three Cocks Hotel"](http://www.threecockshotel.com/). Threecockshotel.com. Retrieved 16 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["The Three Cocks Hotel (C) Jonathan Billinger :: Geograph Britain and Ireland"](https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/318086). Geograph.org.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Old Gwernyfed"](http://www.coflein.gov.uk/pdf/CPG321/). Coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** A.W. Skempton, A biographical dictionary of civil engineers in Great Britain and Ireland, Vol.1, pp 210-211 (2002) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7277-2939-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7277-2939-X)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust - Projects - Historic Landscapes - Middle Wye - Administrative Landscapes"](http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/histland/midwye/mworname.htm). Cpat.org.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-yba.llgc.org.uk_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-yba.llgc.org.uk_6-1) ["WILLIAMS families, of Gwernyfed, in the parish of Glasbury, Brecknock"](https://biography.wales/article/s-WILL-GWE-1536). *[Dictionary of Welsh Biography](/source/Dictionary_of_Welsh_Biography)*. [National Library of Wales](/source/National_Library_of_Wales). Retrieved 16 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** J. Britton et al., The Beauties of England and Wales, p. 100 (1815)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-archives_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-archives_8-1) ["Wood Family"](http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=074-acc1302&cid=0#0). Nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Old Gwernyfed, Powys (Grade I) (6654)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=6654). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 15 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Old Gwernyfed & Gwernyfed Park (PGW(Po)5(POW))"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/parkgarden/FullReport?lang=en&id=321). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 6 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Gwernyfed High School (Grade II*) (7464)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=7464). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 13 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Gwernyfed Park; Gwernyfed High School (25575)"](https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/25575/). *Coflein*. [RCAHMW](/source/Royal_Commission_on_the_Ancient_and_Historical_Monuments_of_Wales). Retrieved 29 September 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [\[1\]](http://www.gwernyfed-hs.powys.sch.uk/our_history.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081015043548/http://www.gwernyfed-hs.powys.sch.uk/our_history.php) October 15, 2008, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Gwernyfed High School - Gwernyfed - Powys - Wales"](http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-7464-gwernyfed-high-school-gwernyfed). Britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. 1 May 1976. Retrieved 16 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Rev. W.E.T. Morgan, Hay and neighbourhood, 1932.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Neighbourhood Statistics. ["Check Browser Settings"](http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadAreaMetadata.do?a=7&b=801391&c=presteigne&d=14&e=5&g=415358&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1248078356226&enc=1&areaId=801391). Neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Edwards, Oscar (29 August 2025). ["Cycling race website censors name of Welsh village"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62nyzz4eveo). *BBC News*. Retrieved 29 August 2025.

## External links

- [Photos of Aberllynfi and surrounding area on geograph](https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=5973568)

v t e Powys Principal settlements Brecon Builth Wells Crickhowell Hay-on-Wye Knighton Llandrindod Wells Llanfair Caereinion Llanfyllin Llanidloes Llanwrtyd Wells Machynlleth Montgomery Newtown Presteigne Rhayader Talgarth Welshpool Ystradgynlais Communities Abbey Cwmhir Aberedw Aberhafesp Abermule with Llandyssil Banwy Bausley with Criggion Beguildy Berriew Bettws Brecon Bronllys Builth Cadfarch Caersws Carno Carreghofa Castle Caereinion Churchstoke Cilmery Clyro Cray Crickhowell Cwmdu and District Disserth and Trecoed Duhonw Dwyriw Erwood Felin-fach Forden with Leighton and Trelystan Gladestry Glantwymyn Glasbury Glascwm Glyn Tarell Guilsfield Gwernyfed Hay Honddu Isaf Kerry Knighton Llanafan Fawr Llanbadarn Fawr Llanbadarn Fynydd Llanbister Llanbrynmair Llanddew Llanddewi Ystradenni Llandinam Llandrindod Wells Llandrinio Llandysilio Llanelwedd Llanerfyl Llanfair Caereinion Llanfechain Llanfihangel Llanfihangel Rhydithon Llanfrynach Llanfyllin Llangamarch Llangattock Llangedwyn Llangors Llangunllo Llangurig Llangynidr Llangyniew Llangynog Llanidloes Llanidloes Without Llanigon Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant Llansantffraid Llansilin Llanwddyn Llanwrthwl Llanwrtyd Wells Llanyre Llywel Machynlleth Maescar Manafon Meifod Merthyr Cynog Mochdre with Penstrowed Montgomery Nantmel New Radnor Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Old Radnor Painscastle Pen-y-bont-fawr Penybont Presteigne Rhayader St Harmon Talgarth Talybont-on-Usk Tawe-Uchaf Trallong Trefeglwys Treflys Tregynon Trewern Vale of Grwyney Welshpool Whitton Yscir Ystradfellte Ystradgynlais Towns and villages Abbeycwmhir Aber Clydach Aberbechan Aberbran Abercegir Abercraf Abercynllaith Aberedw Abergwesyn Abergwydol Aberhafesp Aberhosan Abermule Abernant Abertridwr Aberyscir Adfa Aithnen Arddlin Bacheldre Beguildy Berriew Bettws Cedewain Beulah Bont Dolgadfan Boughrood Bronllys Builth Wells Burgedin Buttington Bwlch Caehopkin Caersws Capel-y-ffin Carno Cathedine Cefnllys Cemmaes Road Church Stoke Cilmery Clatter Clyro Coelbren Commins Coch Crickhowell Criggion Crossgates Cwmdauddwr Cwmdu Cwmtwrch Cwmwysg Cwrt-y-Gollen Darowen Derwenlas Dolanog Dolfach Dolyhir Dylife Erwood Esgairgeiliog Felindre (Beguildy) Felindre (Gwernyfed) Forge Four Crosses, Montgomeryshire Gladestry Glasbury Hay-on-Wye Heartsease (Knighton) Heartsease (Llanddewi Ystradenni) Heol Senni Kerry Knucklas Libanus Llan Llanafan Fawr Llananno Llanbedr Painscastle Llanbrynmair Llanddew Llanddewi'r Cwm Llandeilo Graban Llandinam Llandrinio Llandysilio Llanelwedd Llanfair Caereinion Llanfechain Llanfihangel Nant Bran Llanfihangel Talyllyn Llanfyllin Llangadfan Llangammarch Wells Llangedwyn Llangors Llangurig Llangynidr Llangynog Llangynyw Llanllugan Llanllwchaiarn Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant Llansantffraed Llansanffraid-ym-Mechain Llansilin Llanwrin Llanwrthwl Llanwrtyd Llanwrtyd Wells Llanwyddelan Llanymynech Llanyre Llawryglyn Llyswen Llywel Maesmynis Meifod Milebrook Morben Nant Glas New Radnor Newbridge-on-Wye Newchurch Norton Old Church Stoke Painscastle Pandy Pant-y-Dwr Partrishow Penegoes Pennant Penwyllt Penybont Pilleth Plas Esgair Pont Crugnant Pontdolgoch Pontrobert Rhosgoch Rhulen Sarn Sennybridge Soar St Harmon Staylittle Sycharth Talerddig Talgarth Talybont-on-Usk Three Cocks Tirabad Trecastle Trefeglwys Tregynon Trewern Tylwch Van, Llanidloes Ystradfellte Castles Aberysgir Castle Aberedw Castle Castell Dinas Castell Du Cefnllys Castle Colwyn Castle Dolforwyn Castle Llangoed Hall Mediomanum Montgomery Castle Painscastle Powis Castle Tretower Castle Reservoirs and lakes Beacons Reservoir Cantref Reservoir Clywedog Reservoir Elan Valley Reservoirs Llangorse Lake Lake Vyrnwy Talybont Reservoir Topics Parliamentary constituencies Electoral wards Places Schools SSSIs Scheduled Monuments Country houses Listed buildings Grade I Grade II* Registered parks and gardens Lord Lieutenants High Sheriffs Museums Public art Geography Wales

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Three Cocks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Cocks) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Cocks?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.