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The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape Walk!

Some of the images are from earlier trips to the area but fitted well into this blog for the purpose if showing some significant points on route. This walk is indicaited by Yellow Arrows on a Disc.




Again this is a walk taking a trip round the glorious Industrail Landscape of Blaenavon which is steeped with history around every corner. I hope you enjoy reading about this walk and it's many historical facts that I will be throwing in as the walk progresses.

The walk itself is 17km, that 10.5 miles in old money, and starts at "The Whistle Road" car park which is locaited next to the Garne Lakes (Above Image). Before you start your walk it is well worth taking an extra few moments to visit the lakes, The lakes were recalimed via open cast recorvery and open as an amenity area in 1999, and are abundant with wildlife, and also has a desegnaited Breeding area.
if your lucky the birds that you may see include, Lapwing, Snipe, Redshank,Coot,Willow Warbler, Skylark, Yellow Hammer but to name a few. and also some very nicely locaited picnic benchs allowing you to take in your surroundings.

Ok begin the walk, from the car park where you started from before vsiting the lakes. turn right from there and follow the road down past the Whistle Inn. After about 25m along the road you will see a metaol gate and also a ladder style feeling enegetic climb over it, word of warning it's unsteady.. so thorugh the gate this brings you onto a bridleway, watch out for the ponies as they frequent this area but are very friendly
I always have some carrots handy for such encounters. Continue to follw the path bewteen the stone walls,These date back to 17th century. if you look over to your right(west of the path) is where Waun Mary Gunter Farm is locaited, Mary Gunter was a member of the important Gunter Family of Abergavenny, int he 1600's. she was persecuted for her Catholic faith and her farm and surrounding fields were confiscated. continue till you reach a style cross this and walk across the field towards a derelict farmhouse.
Passing the farmhouse on your left, climb the right hand style and continue down the track until you reach the road.
From the road you will see the railway track and sidings of the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Company. Orginal railway was opened in December 1869. and was known then as "The Blaenavon & Brynmawr Branch of The London & North Western Railways, and became fully operational in 1870.
From the road you can take a detour to the left, however i continued with the planned route, which heads to the right. This will lead you Big Pit. (image below taken on an earlier visit)
Also along this road you can take a detour and go up and over the Coity Tip, blog that one later as I went back and done the detours from the main route so stay tuned. If you have the time a visit the Pit is well worth it FREE admission YES FREE! you can have an underground tour which takes you down to the bottom of the mine about 450ft in total it is an amazing experience and one that i certainly enjoyed, The Pit produced coal on a lagre scale from 1800 until it closed in 1980. Ok form the pit follow the waymarkers along the concrete track from the Pit, passing the Forge Pond on your left. Ber left here walking down to enter

Forgeside and passing the Old Forge on your left. The Forge itself was built mid 19th century,of red brick and slate. This is where the method of converting Pig Iron, made from phosphoric Ore, into basic Steal, pioneered by Sidney Gilcrest Thomas, was carried out. On the right the row of cottages you can see were built for workers and still has the original name of "CRow" and rows C to E still exsit thses are good examples of early Industrail Housing. Passing the cottages at the end of CRow, turn right into Forge Rd a short pause will allow you to see Coity House to your left. Thought to have been built around 1860 and Is a Grade II, continue along the road, with Doncasters works on your left running parallel to the road, this now makes High Precision Alloys for the Aerospace Industry, but is a lasting legacy to the Old Iron Industry.
Passing modern houses on the right, you will reach a junction where Forge Road bends first to the left then right before straightening back up, follow the road (ForgeRd) Passing the Zion Baptist Chapel built in 1874 another Grade II Listed Building, continue passing Oxford Terrace, Clapham Terrace and the former Forgeside Inn, turning right to go through a gate onto the bridleway opposite the bus stop. Walk up the path passing the recently closed Old Drift Mine, once a property called Highmeadow, bear right up onto open common, A small stream runs down the route so great care is needed as it is wet and muddy underfoot. Continue to follow the boundry on your right until you reach the remains of of the walls of a building once known as
Coity Canol (Middle Coity), keep the ruins on your right follow the track towards some more old stone walls (Remains of Coity Mawr Cottages) now you cross over a wide level track, follow the Steep Path as it ascends to the top of the ridge, at this point you are now 650m above sea level (2,000ft) Follow the markers along the path and over the top of Coity Mountain !!!! WARNING!!!! This path crosses open countryside and there are a number of known hazards and others could be expected.. The path has been checked (and is regularly) and is Safe, BUT please do not stray off the Waymarked Path. in particular the stretch over Cioty Mountain So Stay To The Designaited Path!!.
Travelling southwards keep a look out for if your lucky enough to spot them Red Grouse, Meadow Pipit and Skylark, The patchwork quilt of bare grass, seeded/mown for feeding and the old heather for breeding has created idel breeding area for the Grouse. Whicj is probably why thier predator the Hen Harrier has been spotted here.
Threse mountain moors were once entirely managed by Gamekeepers for hunting in the last century,


At the Peak of Coity Mountain a Red Setter called Carlo is buried, He was accidentally sgot on the 12th August (The Glorious) 1864 whilst hunting an inscriebd Headstone the "Dod Stone" was erected in is memory, this stands 2.5m high
Onwards.
Descending for approximately 1km you will pas a white farm house " Blaen-Melyn" localy kown as Penny's Farm. Continue down the track following a drystone wall and a line of conifers. Looking out for the waymarks you will come to a Red ash track which is the old rail/tram road. Just Pause and look at the view they are spectacular straght ahead of you is the Severn Estuary.
Over to your right on the side of Twyn Ddu Mountain, are the ruins of Graig Ddu, built late 17th early 18th Century, this was inhabited until 1963 and has served the community both as a Chapel and a Pub.
Turning left following the red ash track, for about 1km to reach a cattle grid, from here if you look behind you, you can see the Dog Stone to the right on top of Coity Mountain. Continue on past the cattle grid down the track on the left there a deralict building known as the Lighthouse. so called because it is said that the miners used this to store there lamps,. continue past the histiroc spoil tips on the left and go over another cattle grid, passing a field on your right where Shetland Ponies aee sometimes kept. The track now chamges underfoot to become a concrete road taking you past a covered reservior on your left. From here we carry on down to join Vartag Road, and here we cross over being careful of the traffic, after appproximaetly 300m furhter alont on the right you will reach a a bridleway signpost follow the path down the bank to reach a gate and style. Go over stykle and follow the track to a waymarked post, Turn Right and follow the zig zag into Beach Woodland, follow the path through the wood Carefully following the waymarkers till you reach the former Mineral Railway Line.cross the line (now part of the national cycle network) and head towrds Glebeland Farm, passing the farm on your left go though the gate and cross the field to the next gate,Follow the track and cross the bridge over Afon Lwyd to Cwmavaon Road, Cross road carefuly go through a gate and follow the forrest track up through Blaenavon Community Woodland. Eventualy reaching and old barn. Ideal resting place.

With the barn in front of you follow the path to the left till you reach a path on your right. Take this path and walk uo through the pine wood until you reach Llanover Road.
You can detour here to the site of Capel Newydd by turning right and walking .5km.
Back on the walk, passing the community woodland on your left continue down Llanover Road, walking past residential properties, passing the The Pottery public house.another .5km you'll pass allotments on the left, continue downwards to reach a fork in the road, take the right hand fork and St Pauls Church will be on your right, this was built using the original stones from the ruins of Capel Newydd in 1893. Pass the church and carry on straight on, Ahead of you between a conifer hedge on your left and brookside on your right, is Bryn Terrace walk up this to the junction where The Cambrian Inn is situated on the corner. Turn left inot Hill Street and prodeed down stopping where the road curves to the left (about no 56-58), cross here to the bollards and go through them, veering left to coninue down Cross Street. After a short walk passing 3 turnings on the right, turn right into George Street, on the left an old school room (pet stores) Descend the steps ahead and turn left inot Broad Street, Yellow painted Blaenavon Evangelical Moriah Chapel opened 1888 and is Grade II Listed.
Continue down Braod Street which contain a number of Grade II kisted building ( no 15-19) these represent well preserved 19th century shops. Walk on a further 20m to pass Market Tavern then cross over taking the the right hand fork ahed of you into Ivor Street. Walk down Ivor Street past Ivor Gardens to the junction where the co-op building is on the corner. The post office building is across the road built 1937 (Grade II Listed) and still contains its original post office clock Turn right and head up Church Road, you pass The Horeb Chapel on your right opened 1862 Grade II Listed,

The Chapel design is unusual as it was built along the lines of an industrail engine house. Inside is worth a visit. adjacent to the Chapel is a war Memorial built 1931 in Art Deco style, and the workmans hall and institute build 1894

Interestingly the Institute was built using the subscriptions raised by the workmen themselves. On the left is St Peters Church opened for worship 1805

The Church has historical association with the early Iron Works community of Blaenavon.
Continue up Church Street passing may other intresting building on your way, until you reach The Beeches Nursing Home. This used to be called "Ty Mawr" (big house)it was built around 1800 by Samual Hopkins a of a late Georgian architecture built as a family residence, it was converted into a Hospital by the local medical society, pre-empting the NHS. into which workers paid a subscription. Around the bend the Ironworks can be seen. The works are a scheduled Ancient Monument Site, and being restored by CADW and include both Grade I and II Listed Buildings.
The ironworks is probably the best preserved example of 18th Century Ironworks in Western Europe. It was also used for the Location of the TV Series " Coal House" which used the workers cottages for the filming of the series.

Coal House Cottages>>>
The works has the most complete example of a water balance tower (see Image)
Turn left into Estate Road and follow the road up along the pavement on the left for safety, continue for approx .5km until you reah a junction at the top, Turn left and proceed to the bus stop and cross the Garn Road. again with care. A signpost will direct you onot a tarmac road ahead, which then changes to to a fenced track. This unimposing dirt track usd to be the main road to Blaenavon.
Continue along the fenced track which takes you through gates to the naturally revegetated spoil tips. Make sure you stick to the well defined footpath all the while watching out for your waymarkers.
The views to the left are Big Pit, and Coity Mountain.. We have now reached the final stage of the walk not that far to go now..
The tips underfoot orginate from many historic workings and iron and are considered to be an important feature of Blaenavon's Industrial heritage.
Ok you will eventually reach the stone chimney at the former Hills Pits, they were opened in 1844 and supplied iron ore and coal for the Ironworks at Blaenavon.
Hills Pit Chimney>>>>>>>>>>>>

The 6m high stack is built of roughly dressed stone, on a chamfered stone plinth with dressed quoins. walk around the stack and you'll pass a pond which supplied water to the boilers at Hills Pit.
Follow the waymarked track and eventualy begin to walk downhill for 3/4km until you reach the main road. Taking care cross over and gp through a metal gate and over a footbridge, following the path with the Garne Lakes on your left. this path take you back to your starting point.

The Iron Trial Blaenavon

Well what a glorious day it was yesterday and after a visit to The Big Pit in Blaenavon ( A World Heritage Site) with my friends on Tuesday, One of my friends from home was down for a weeks break with me, and I took him and showed him the sites which included going down the nine itself and then the following day we went to the Gold Mines, but that's another blog.. lol,
On the trip to the Big Pit i found some walk leaflets and thought this is the area I am going to explore next.
Stuart left on Friday for his trip back to Scotland and I started to plan my Saturdays walk, and decide on the Iron Trial Parts one and Two, these are two separate walks that can be done as One walk or join then and make a longer walk of 12miles, detours along the way can add more miles onto your walk should you wish to do so, and anyone reading this who's may like to do the walks around the area are advised to take some detours and you'll come across some wonderful places and sites. This walk is very well marked with way markers and the main paths are very easy underfoot and very well maintained, and a lot is on the flat, the biggest climbs are just after The Punchbowl and the Ascend to the True Summit of the Blorenge Mountain. Some historical facts are also thrown in here as this is a walk about the Industry around the area of Blaevaon. This blog is all stage one the second part will be blogged later.
Ok the walk starts at a place called Keepers Pond on the road from Llanfoist to Blaenavon, about 1 mile from Blaenavon. Keepers Pond is a very popular place and parking can be difficult, there are various parking area near by another being Foxhunter Car Park, if you park there just double back and Start from the Pond.
The walk starts with a nice gentle stroll around the left hand edge to the information panel,
The pond itself was the last of 3 reservoirs or ponds to to supply water to the forges and works of Garn Ddyrys ( Garn = Cairn and Ddyryrs = tangled/ Difficult.
From the panel its across a wooden footbridge turning left as you come off the bridge, then we followed the path down the road which we cross for the first time ( This is the main road so Please take Great Care when Crossing) From here after we safely crossed the road we follow a path that leads of to the right and down onto an old parish road, we follow this down into the valley we come to junction again its off to the right and follow the path to the head of the Cwn Sienkin Brooke we cross the brook and continue along the tram road ad was constructed in the 1820s and it was used to connect the Iron works at Bleanavon and the Canal Llanfoist.

We continue to follow the track for .5 km and as you walk through what appears as two long moulds the track again heads off in the right, the mound on your right is actual part of the retaining wall for the lower pond.
In the distance we can clearly see the distinctive Sugarloaf and Tabletop Mountians and on a really good day like yesterday the very distinctive Pen Y Big and Pen Y Fan as the path heads right up the hill do not take this but head left and walk through the site of the Garn Ddyryrs foundry the overgrown foundations, the forges and other buildings all around you, we follow the fence line heading for the pair of wooden electricity poles ahead of you, you more or less what the furthest two this will take you to the correct spot to cross the main road and onto the next stage.
After safely crossing the road again we continue following the track. for a fare distance, Just take a moment to take in the stunning views you can see. The track you are on is a Tramroad, the stone remains that you pass on your right are all that remains of part of the village known as Garn Ddyrys Row.in 1851 a few years before the plant was close the census recorded a population of 300 people living around the forge.
As you walk along the track keep a look out for the stone sleepers that would have held the tram rails in place.
Further along you will pass to the left a "cut and shut" tunnel, constructed to protect this section of the tramroad from slippage and loose rock. Access to the tunnel is NOT allowed as it a scheduled " Ancient Monument Site". About .5km further along the path narrows and turns more sharply to the right, taking you into a hollow on the North Face of the Blorenge.From here you follow the path round as it skirts round the stone walls and down the hill... "From here you can take a detour and explore the village of Llanfoist below" to do this bare to the left and follow the finger posts.. If you do not want to do this continue following the path as it continues round and down the hill.
Again take a moment to take in the stunning views of the Landscape and towns below on a clear day you can see Abergavenny in all its glory and pick out the distinctive Green Roofed Town Hall Clock.
Following the path round you will come to a Wooden Gate which takes you into a woodland trust area, continue up the path and you will come to a small lake called "The Punchbowl" Nice place to stop and have a 10 min break.
From the lake continue following the path up the hill (Steeper than it looks) at the top go through the small gate and follow the path, this will take you to a road, and the start of your scent up to the summit of the Blorenge.
For those not wanting this part can continue to follow the road to "Foxhunter Car Park". For those taking on the Blorenge......
At the finger post turn right and follow the path as it continues uphill.
After about 200m the path meets a sunken track take this track and continue up the hill, The views of the Usk Valley are stunning.
Keep following the track and you will come upon a Stone building used once as a wireless hut... Pass to the left of this hut and follow a rough path through the heather which leads up and over a false summit (there are a few), from here you can see the Trig Point and the true summit of the Blorenge. The path up to the Trig is rocky in parts so take care underfoot... Quartz can still be seen as you follow this path...
Head for the trig point...
After reaching the Trig and taking in the view and Placing your stone on the pile (Tradition) this is my 22 Trig Point..
Leave the point by following the path to the left heading for the twin masts at foxhunter car park. you now have two choice from here...
cross the road and take the path to the right of the masts after about 700m continue either continue on with part two on the walk, OR, Turn Right into a small valley and along a path cut into the heather. Cross the road and walk along the Grass Verge back to your starting point at Keepers pond..
This is a fantastic walk to do and with the combination of the second part well worth the day.. I enjoyed this walk very much indeed, and can't wait to go exploring the area again..
I have completed part two of the Iron Trail and will blog that later.
Hope you enjoy the blog.
Davie.
" Walkers Do It With There Boots On"