Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The portal of Cwmbran Tunnel hides in the shadows
.
From Govilon, the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal runs south. The canal forms the east-
ern boundary of the Brecon Beacons National Park as far as Pontymoel.
Beyond the trees lies the gateway to Wales, Abergavenny (the Gafenni being the black-
smith's river), with the Ysgyryd Fawr and the Roman site of Gobannium on the Ysgyryd
Fach. The 11th century Abergavenny Castle is built on a mound. In 1177, William de Braose
invited the notable Welsh leaders to dine and then, suddenly, had them all murdered in order
to secure control of the surrounding area.
Llanfoist Wharf is home to Beacon Park Boats' hire centre, which is arguably the most at-
tractive in the country; it has no advertising hoardings, just lawns, rambling roses and stacks
of logs for the winter in a beautiful setting. Views over the border country are extensive. It is
hard to believe that this rural spot is only 4km from the Welsh pit village of Blaenavon.
The mountains begin to pull back at Goetre. There is a spur to the right that served Goytre
Wharf with its limekilns, now home of Red Line Boats, a boat hire marina. The Waterside
Rest offers meals and displays with information on the local industrial heritage.
Pontypool, Welsh for 'the bridge at the pool', stands on the rim of the coalfield and has
been industrial since Roman times. In 1720 it produced the first tinplate in Britain and in the
18th and 19th centuries it was an iron town. It was a japanning centre in the 19th century
but also a market town. The Italianate Grade II town hall of 1856 was donated by ironmas-
ter Capel Hanbury Leigh, to celebrate the birth of his only son. Pontypool Park House was
built for the Hanbury ironmaster family and is now a school - St Alban's RC High School
- for 11-to-18- year-olds. Its Georgian stable block houses the Valleys Inheritance Centre.
The wrought-iron entrance gates were given to John Hanbury by Sarah Churchill, Duchess
of Marlborough.
