The
Valleys,
South Wales, UK |
|
The Valleys of Wales is a region of mining valleys and colliery
towns set within an area of mountainous ridges north of Cardiff.
The Valleys
formed the heart of the coal and iron industries of the 18th and
19th centuries, and although the heavy industry has now gone,
there are many sites remaining which provide a vivid insight into
the industrial heritage which shaped the region. In the Eastern
Valley is the iron and coal town of Blaenafon, which is now a
recognised World Heritage Site.
As well as containing one of the largest 18th century ironworks
in Britain, it is home to the Big Pit National Mining Museum,
where you can descend underground on a guided tour.
Nearby, the
Pontypool and Blaenafon Steam Railway is the steepest standard
gauge steam railway in Britain. The Rhondda Heritage Park based
at the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Trehafod, is another fascinating
place, while the town of Pontypridd boasts an excellent museum.
At the head of the Taff Valley is Merthyr Tydfil, which in the
19th century was the largest iron-producing town in the world.
For history unrelated to the industrial revolution, the Tudor
manor house of Llancaiach Fawr lies north of Pontypridd, and the
restored 13th century Caerphilly Castle is just north of Cardiff.
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