The village of Cynghordy is situated near the banks of the Afon Bran, approximately four miles north east of Llandovery and six miles south west of Llanwrtyd Wells. According to Dyfed Archaeological Trust, it seems likely that the village developed 'alongside the Roman Road (NPRN 90299) between Llandovery (Alabum) and the mid Wales forts at Beulah and Castell Collen - now represented by the A483 - which became an important droving route in the Post-Medieval period. The presence of a nonconformist chapel and inn may be due to this association.' Cynghordy is served by a railway station on the line that runs 'from Llandovery to Llanwrtyd Wells, which had been established by 1871 to form part of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) Central Wales and Carmarthen Junction Line. It is still operational and forms part of the 'Heart of Wales' line. However, despite having the 'essential' requirements of a chapel (NPRN 6471), post office and school, as well as a mill and industry represented by a brickworks, a new parish church (St. Mary's church - NPRN 418661) constructed in the late 19th-century (to replace the old St Mary's Church - NPRN 103828), a vicarage, an inn (Glanbran Arms - NPRN 17368) and a railway station, nucleation did not occur at Cynghordy - perhaps they were so dispersed that there was no single focus around which a village could develop and indeed, the most significant development has been the construction of a 20th century council estate.'
The school closed early in the twenty-first century, but the church remains open and the chapel was extensively renovated in 2012.
Sources: Dyfed Archaeological Trust historic landscape characterisation of the Towy valley and the South Wales Guardian article: 'Chapel re-opening will rejuvenate village,' published 23rd October 2012
M. Ryder, RCAHMW, 28th November 2018.