The legend connected with Llyn-y-Fan Fach, known locally as the Lady of the Lake, begins with a local young man, son of a widow from Blaen Sawdde  spent a lot of time gazing wistfully into the lake’s dazzling waters.

One day while sat at the side of the lake, a beautiful woman rose out of the waters and walked over to the young man. She said that if he married her, he would never want for anything again but on two conditions: that he would never reveal to anyone the supernatural nature of their meeting, and that he would not hit her 3 times. Of course the boy agreed, and they married. 

They were happy for years putting up a house in Esgair Llaethdy near Myddfai, and bringing up a family there. The lady had very special cattle, traditionally still kept at Dinefwr.  But over time the man did hit his wife three times, as gentle admonishments. 

He once teasingly flicked his wife with a pair of leather gloves and thus she warned; “This is the first causeless blow”. The man was shocked and apologised profusely but the Lady of the Lake had made up her mind.

Years later, the pair were at a christening and amongst the joyous frivolity of everyone around her, the lady began to cry. Her husband tapped her on the shoulder and asked what was the matter. “This child is small and frail,” she said, “and he will know nothing but sorrow in this world. And husband,” she warned, “you have struck me once more”. The man was beside himself, he had now unwittingly struck his beautiful wife twice.

From then on, the man guarded himself closely to ensure that he did not mistakenly strike his wife again. Then, not long after the christening, the couple attended the funeral of that same babe, and the Lady of the Lake began to laugh. The husband anxiously grabbed his wife shoulder and told her to stop. “Why should I stop?” she asked, “The poor child is finally free of his pain and suffering. And, dear husband, that is the third blow you have dealt me.”

Upon returning home, the Lady of the Lake walked across the farm with every animal following  her down into the cool depths of its magical waters, never to be seen again. 

 Among the cattle was a team of four oxen which were ploughing at the time. They followed too, plough and all, and, “they say, to this very day you may see a well-marked furrow running right across Myddfai mountain to the edge of Llyn-y-Fan-Fach, which proves this story is true.”

But the mother returned sometimes to help and instruct her sons, and in particular one called Rhiwallon. In due course Rhiwallon and the other sons went to the court of Rhys Gryg of Deheubarth, where they became famous doctors who are known today as the Physicians of Myddfai. A number of their medical formulae remain in the Welsh manuscripts. 

It is prohibited to swim in Llyn y Fan Fach but fine to swim in the larger lake - Llyn y Fan Fawr

If you do take a dip, please be careful and make sure someone is with you.  Wild Swimming have the following safety tips:

1. Never swim in canals, urban rivers, stagnant lakes or reedy shallows.
2. Never swim in flood water and be cautious of water quality during droughts.
3. Keep cuts and wounds covered with waterproof plasters if you are concerned.
4. Avoid contact with blue–green algae.
5. Never swim alone and keep a constant watch on weak swimmers.
6. Never jump into water you have not thoroughly checked for depth and obstructions.
7. Always make sure you know how you will get out before you get in.
8. Don’t get too cold – warm up with exercise and warm clothes before and after a swim.
9. Wear footwear if you can.
10. Watch out for boats on any navigable river. Wear a coloured swim hat so you can be seen.

Further safety tips can be found here.

• The route can be very muddy, even in hot weather so please wear appropriate footwear.
• There are a lot of footpaths running through the area, please keep an eye on the map to avoid going too far off route.
• Supposedly descendants of  the Physicians of Myddfai are buried in St Michael's Church in Myddfai.
• The roads leading to the car park are narrow in parts and only allow for a single car, so take it slowly and be prepared to reverse out of the way.
• There are sheep grazing  all over the area so please keep dogs on a leash.