Llanwynno (also known as Llanwonno) is a hamlet high up in the mountains between the historic mining valleys of the Rhondda and Cynon Valleys in Rhondda Cynon Taf deep in the heart of the South Wales Valleys (Welsh: Cymoedd De Cymru).
Llanwynno only consists of a Church called Eglwys Sant Gwynno, and a Pub called Brynffynon.
The pub is named the Brynffynon, and it offers several locally recommended services. The church - Eglwys Sant Gwynno, is where legendary athlete Guto Nyth Brân is buried. The story of the life, and death, of Guto Nyth Brân is remembered and celebrated in the centre of the nearby town of Mountain Ash every New Year's Eve, with an event known as the Nos Galan Road Races, in which runners hailing from all parts of the world, to race through the local streets, with the finishing-line placed at the point of the bronze statue of the legendary figure, which sits in the centre of a public seating area known as 'Guto Square' on Mountain Ash Oxford Street, to commemorate the legend of his person.
The ancient parish of Llanwynno (or Llanwonno) included Abercynon, Ynysybwl, most of Mountain Ash/Aberpennar, part of Pontypridd, Porth, Ynyshir, Wattstown and Blaenllechau in the Rhondda. The mountainous area is easily reached on foot or by car, using mountain roads, which lead to Penrhiwceiber, Aberpennar, Ferndale, Ynysybwl, and Pontypridd.
The nearby Llanwynno forestry also boasts the Daerwynno Outdoor Centre, an outdoor pursuits centre run by local people. The centre offers a wide-range of activities to visitors, including several training courses for disadvantaged young people.
The church and graveyard were used as a filming location during summer 2009 for Doctor Who starring Matt Smith, in the third series of new episodes from the BBC since the program was re-commissioned.
A fanciful Victorian history of the Llanwynno parish can be read in Thomas, Rev W. Glanffrwd's History of Llanwonno, 1843-90 (Hanes Plwyf Llanwonno); published in 1888 in serial form in the 'Darian' (Aberdare) & translated by Thomas Evans in 1950; published by Merthyr Express. 210 pp. Indexed by Glenys Travis (with chapter headings)