Welsh Valleys - Places to Visit in the UK

History of the Valleys of Wales

Since Roman times South Wales has been recognised for its wealth in coal. From the early 1700's to mid 1800's the landscape changed with the mining of this valuable natural resource to feed the vast boilers of steam trains and grand iron ships. The trains and ships were the main communication not only in the UK but in many developing countries around the world. Across the skyline were rows of terraced homes for the miners, and their place of work was symbolised by tall smoking chimneys at the collieries. The upland great tract cut into the high sided and deep valleys in South Wales and many are woven between the sea and the Brecon Beacons on the stretch of land between Neath and Pontypool. The Tower Colliery is a solitary mine still working today when in times past this part of Wales was the source of much of the world's coal. The Upland Ridges have long trails and the bottom of the valleys have the railway lines and roads. Now the Valleys are being rejuvenated with walks and trails through industrial land and lead up to the hilltops and the Welsh countryside.

Rhondda and Lwyd Valley

One of the best known valleys is the Rhondda which is the setting of the book by Richard Llewellyn called "How Green was My Valley". The Heritage Park in Rhondda is dedicated to the communities of miners who worked in the era of industry. In the Lwyd Valley is Pontypool which was a centre for producing tinplate and travelling up into the valley is Blaenafon now a World Heritage Site and once was a thriving town for iron and coal. The Site not only relates the history of iron smelting but provides an insight into the day to day life of the men and women involved in the working of the mines and the area. To experience this lifestyle a visit to the Big Pit Museum provides an opportunity to go down below ground to 300 feet.

Mining in the Welsh Valleys

A unique chance to go back in time and understand the hard working conditions of those who were pioneers in sourcing fossil fuel to benefit us all. Probably known best for its famous cheese Caerphilly is a large town with one of the biggest medieval fortresses in the UK, its imposing Castle. Butetown to the north is more industrial with a relatively small museum depicting village life in Victorian times. To get back to nature the Country Park in the Sirhowy Valley with its wooded steep sides and over a 1,000 acres of meadowland is much loved by cyclists and walkers. Merthyr Tydfil was once the premier town for producing iron worldwide and with the decline over a century ago plans were made to move the communities away and raze it to the ground but World War 2 put these plans on hold and as yet they are still on the drawing board.

Scenery of Wales

For upland scenery at its best the Ogwr and Garw Valleys divided by hills is spectacular with panoramic views at the tip of the valley. The bustling town of Bridgend grew from the point of crossing where Gawr and Ogwr meet. It has a medieval history and is near to the coast and the M4 motorway which is the Valleys' gateway. The Valleys evolved to provide homes for the workers and this area is a document to their lives. The people here powered the Industrial Revolution and the gritty appeal of the Valleys is inspiring from raw industry to beautiful scenery and a warm Welsh welcome.