The forests in the area were cleared for farming and rearing animals by the families of those that were buried in the Round Barrows on the Garth Mountain 4000 years ago. Then the area came under the influence of the Celts and the Roman legions.
The ownership of a number of the farms in the area can be traced to the family of Hywel ap Meredith, the last Welsh Lord of Meisgyn. He was defeated by Richard de Clare in 1246. But the Welsh Lords continued to retain their lands on condition they cooperated with the Normans.
The main farms in the area were Garth Fawr, Maes Mawr, Celyn, Dyffryn, Dyhewyd, Ystrad Berwg and Hendresguthan. Some of the earliest buildings date from the 16th and 17th century.
The mill also played an important part in the life of the area.
