Pont-ddu, crossing the Cywyn near St. Clears.

The River Cywyn reaches the River Taf near a farm called "Pilgrim's Rest". The name is appropriate because those following the pilgrim route from Kidelly to St. Clears and then on to St. Davids used to have to ford the river at this point. At times this could be dangerous and on the west side of the river the graveyard of the ruined St. Michael's Church holds a number of what are traditionally known as "Pilgrim's Graves".

Pont-ddu crossing the Cywyn near Pilgrim's Rest.

When the river was too dangerous to cross, a detour had to be made, and as the surrounding area was very marshy, the first viable place was at the spot that Pont-ddu now stands. The obvious connotations of the name "The Black Bridge" hints that even at this point crossing the river could have been hazardous.  The Pilgrim Route is far older than the current bridge but there was probably a structure of sorts at this point for centuries.