swansea valley cwm tawe · swansea valley - in welsh, cwm tawe - was shaped by glacial action...

Swansea Valley - in Welsh, Cwm Tawe - was shapedby glacial action millenia ago and stretches from thecity of Swansea to the Brecon Beacons NationalPark. The valley communities have seen greatchanges through the rise and fall of the iron andcoal industries over the past 200 years. This leafletlooks at the central section of the Swansea Valleyfrom Trebanos in the south to Ystalyfera andCwmllynfell in the north. It provides a taste of thecolourful history of the area along with informationregarding what is offered today both by its villages,where Welsh is often the language of conversation,and by the picturesque diversity of its river andcanal banks, mountain slopes, and high moorlands.

N/G

1 Mile/1 Milltir

1 Kilometre/1 Cilomedr

A474

A4068

A4067

B4603B4603B4603

River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell

To BreconTo BreconI AberhondduI AberhondduTo BreconI Aberhonddu

To AmmanfordI Rydaman

Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen

To SwanseaI Abertawe

To NeathI Gastell-nedd

Gellionnen MountainMynydd Gellionnen

River TaweAfon Tawe

CwmllynfellCwmllynfellCwmllynfell

To BreconI Aberhonddu


Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

YstradowenYstradowenYstradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch UchafCwmtwrch UchafCwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch IsafCwmtwrch IsafCwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

GurnosGurnosGurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

YstalyferaYstalyferaYstalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graigGodre’r-graigGodre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



YnysmeudwyYnysmeudwyYnysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

PontardawePontardawePontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

CilybebyllCilybebyllCilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

GellinuddGellinuddGellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

RhosRhosRhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

AlltwenAlltwenAlltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebanosTrebannwsTrebannwsTrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen

To SwanseaTo SwanseaI AbertaweI AbertaweTo SwanseaI Abertawe



River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-froRhyd-y-froRhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell


To AmmanfordTo AmmanfordI RydamanI RydamanTo AmmanfordI Rydaman

Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

YstradgynlaisYstradgynlaisYstradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

RhiwfawrRhiwfawrRhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen




Your guide to the Swansea Valley

Ffurfiwyd Cwm Tawe gan weithgarwch rhewlifolfilenia yn ôl ac mae’n ymestyn o ddinas Abertawe i Barc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog. Mae cymunedau’r cwm wedi gweld newidiadau mawryn sgîl twf a dirywiad y diwydiannau haearn a glodros y 200 mlynedd ddiwethaf. Mae’r daflen hon ynedrych ar ran ganolog Cwm Tawe, o Drebannws yn y de i Ystalyfera a Chwmllynfell yn y gogledd. Mae’n rhoi blas ar hanes lliwgar yr ardal ynghyd âgwybodaeth am yr hyn a gynigir heddiw gan eibentrefi, lle mae’r Gymraeg yn aml yn iaith sgwrsio, a chan amrywiaeth hardd ei afon a glannau’r gamlas,llethrau’r mynyddoedd a gweundiroedd uchel.

Eich canllaw i Gwm Tawe

A474A474A474

A4068

A4067

B4603

A474

A4068

A4067A4067A4067

B4603

How to get thereSut i fynd yno

A465A465A465

A4067A4067A4067A474A474A474

M4M4M4

A48A48A48

A4109A4109A4109

NeathCastell-nedd

Port Talbot

A474A474A474A4067A4067A4067

A4067A4067A4067A4068A4068A4068A483A483A483

AmmanfordRhydaman

A474A474A474

Jct43

Jct45

Swansea ValleyCwm Tawe

SwanseaAbertawe

Cronfa Amaethyddol Ewrop ar gyfer Datblygu Gwledig: Ewrop yn Buddsoddimewn Ardaloedd Gwledig

The European Agricultural Fund forRural Development: Europe Investing in Rural Areas

For public transport information call 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.traveline.infoInformation is also available from www.baytrans.co.ukI gael gwybodaeth am gludiant cyhoeddus ffoniwch 0871 200 22 33 neu ewch i www.traveline.infoMae gwybodaeth ar gael hefyd ar www.baytrans.co.uk

For more information on things to do and places to staycall the Tourist information Centre on 01639 636674.Am ragor o wybodaeth am bethau i’w gwneud a llefydd i aros, ffoniwch y Ganolfan Dwristiaid ar 01639 636674.

DisclaimerThe information contained in this brochure has been published ingood faith on the basis of details supplied to the Tourism Team.Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council cannot guarantee theaccuracy of and accepts no responsibility for any errors in thisbrochure. Please check and confirm all information before bookingor travelling.

YmwadiadMae’r wybodaeth yn y daflen hon wedi ei chyhoeddi yn ddidwyll ar sail y manylion a ddarparwydgan y Tîm Twristiaeth. Ni all Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Castell-nedd Port Talbot warantu cywirdeb y daflen ac nid yw’n derbyn unrhyw gyfrifoldeb dros unrhyw gamsyniadau ynddi. Gwiriwch achadarnhewch unrhyw wybodaeth cyn archebu lle neu deithio.

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Eich canllaw i

Gwm Tawe

www.visitnpt.co.uk

Your guide to the

Swansea Valley

TrebanosTrebanos is a large village on the former main Swansea Valleyroad – now the B4603 – between M4 junction 45 (Ynysforgan)and Pontardawe. Located on the western banks of theSwansea Canal and River Tawe, the village grew with the coalindustry of which a number of sites remain for visitors with aninterest in industrial archaeology. Once itself a hive ofindustry, the canal now provides beautiful wooded walks bothsouth to the centre of Clydach and north towards Pontardawe.The canal is easily accessible in the heart of the village whereit is crossed by a stone bridge above the remains of a largelock. Tourists had started visiting the village as early as the1860s to enjoy medicinal waters at Gellionnen Spa Hotel.Dreams of a Bath-like future, however, were dashed whenquarrying halted the flowing spring. Nowadays, health-seekingvisitors can enjoy horse rides up the conveniently closewooded western mountain slopes leading to the superbscenery of the high moorland of Mynydd Gellionnen wherecan be found remote Gellionnen Unitarian Chapel dating backto 1692. During its long history, the coal and metallurgicalindustries have provided Trebanos Rugby Club with many starplayers. The village retains a keen interest in the game withseveral local players having achieved Wales distinction inrecent years.

PontardawePontardawe provides fascinating reminders of a period whenit was known as the ‘Capital of the Swansea Valley’. At itsindustrial height during the late 19th and early 20th CenturiesPontardawe boasted a significant steel and tinplate industryall developed by the Gilbertson Family, together with a railwaystation, all now long gone. Tinplate from the works inPontardawe has been used to roof the White House inAmerica. Now in what is a truly beautiful setting, with theSwansea Canal and River Tawe running nearby, there areample opportunities to enjoy the lovely mountain scenery andwildlife. With its local shopping, pubs, arts, leisure facilities,and, annually every August its famous international musicfestival, Pontardawe has something for everyone – a classicexample of a Welsh Valleys town which is shaping a bright andsustainable future for itself. Among special features of interestare the Pontardawe Arts Centre, with its beautifully restoredtheatre dating back to the era of opera divaAdelina Patti, St Peters Church with its striking200ft tower, Cwm Du Glen path leadingalongside the wooded Clydach stream, and theGlantawe Riverside Park with quiet walksalong the placid river. Golf lovers can enjoyexcellent views of the valley from PontardaweGolf Club.

For much more information on Pontardawepick up this leaflet/map which will be ableto tell you more about the town.

PontardaweYm Mhontardawe ceir olion hynod ddiddorol i’n hatgoffa o gyfnodpan adwaenid y pentref fel ‘Prif dref Cwm Tawe’. Roedd trefPontardawe yn ei hanterth diwydiannol ar ddiwedd y 19eg ganrifa dechrau’r 20fed ganrif pan roedd diwydiant dur a thunplatsylweddol yno a ddatblygwyd gan y Teulu Gilbertson, ynghyd â gorsaf drên, ond mae’r cyfan bellach wedi hen ddiflannu.Defnyddiwyd tunplat o’r gwaith ym Mhontardawe i doi’r Ty Gwynyn America. Yn awr, mewn lleoliad sy’n wirioneddol hardd, gydaChamlas Abertawe ac Afon Tawe’n llifo gerllaw, mae digon ogyfleoedd i fwynhau’r golygfeydd mynyddig a’r bywyd gwyllt hardd.Gyda’i siopau lleol, ei dafarndai, ei gyfleusterau celfyddydau ahamdden a, phob blwyddyn ym mis Awst, yr wylwerin ryngwladol enwog, mae gan Bontardawerywbeth at ddant pawb – enghraifft glasurol odref yn un o gymoedd Cymru sy’n llunio dyfodoldisglair a chynaliadwy i’w hunan. Ymhlith ynodweddion arbennig o ddiddordeb maeCanolfan Celfyddydau Pontardawe, gyda’i theatra adferwyd yn hyfryd sy’n dyddio nôl i gyfnod ybrif gantores opera, Adelina Patti, Eglwys SantPedr gyda’i thwr trawiadol 200tr, llwybr Cwm Dusy’n arwain ar hyd nant goediog Clydach, a PharcGlantawe gyda llwybrau llonydd ar hyd yr afondawel. Gall selogion golff fwynhau golygfeyddgwych o’r cwm o Glwb Golff Pontardawe.

Am lawer mwy o wybodaeth am Bontardawe, codwch ydaflen/map hwn a fydd yn gallu dweud mwy wrthych am y dref.

TrebannwsMae Trebannws yn bentref mawr ar hen briffordd Cwm Tawe –bellach y B4603 – rhwng cyffordd 45 yr M4 (Ynysforgan) aPhontardawe. Tyfodd y pentref, sydd ar lannau gorllewinolCamlas Abertawe ac Afon Tawe, gyda’r diwydiant glo ac maenifer o safleoedd i’w cael o hyd i ymwelwyr â diddordeb mewnarcheoleg ddiwydiannol. Mae’r gamlas, a fu unwaith yn fwrlwmo ddiwydiant, nawr yn rhoi cyfle i gerdded ar hyd llwybraucoediog hyfryd i’r de tuag at ganol Clydach ac i’r gogleddtuag at Bontardawe. Mae’n hawdd cyrraedd y gamlas yngnghanol y pentref lle mae pont garreg yn ei chroesiuwchben olion hen loc. Dechreuodd twristiaid ymweldâ’r pentref mor gynnar â’r 1860au i fwynhau’r dyfroeddiachusol yng Ngwesty Sba Gellionnen. Fodd bynnag,chwalwyd y freuddwyd am ddyfodol tebyg i Gaerfaddonpan rwystrwyd llif y darddell gan chwarela. Heddiw, gallymwelwyr sy’n chwilio am awyrgylch iachus fwynhauteithiau marchogaeth i fyny’r llethrau coediog gorllewinolcyfleus o agos sy’n arwain at olygfeydd godidog gweundiruchel Mynydd Gellionnen lle saif Capel Undebol anghysbellGellionnen sy’n dyddio o 1692. Yn ystod ei hanes hir,mae’r diwydiannau glo a metelegol wedi darparuchwaraewyr o fri i Glwb Rygbi Trebannws. Mae’r pentrefyn dal i ymddiddori’n fawr yn y gêm, gyda sawlchwaraewr lleol wedi dod i’r brig yng Nghymru yn y blynyddoedd diweddar.

Swansea Valley Cwm Tawe

For further informationon the Pontardawe area,look out for this leaflet.

I gael rhagor o wybodaetham Bontardawe, ceisiwchy daflen hon.

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Welsh poppiesPabïau Cymreig

Gellionnen Unitarian ChapelCapel Undodaidd Gellionnen

River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen


To NeathTo NeathI Gastell-neddI Gastell-neddTo NeathI Gastell-nedd


River TaweAfon Tawe

Cwmllynfell



Ynysmeudwy

Cwmtwrch Isaf

Cwmtwrch Uchaf

Pontardawe

Rhiwfawr

Ystalyfera

Gurnos

Ystradgynlais

Godre’r-graig

Cilybebyll

Gellinudd

Rhos

Alltwen

Rhyd-y-fro

TrebanosTrebannws

Ystradowen



Gellionnen MountainGellionnen MountainMynydd GellionnenMynydd GellionnenGellionnen MountainMynydd Gellionnen

Pontardawe Arts CentreCanolfan Celfyddydau Pontardawe

Pontardawe FestivalGwyl Pontardawe

River TaweAfon Tawe

Cycle route 43Llwybr beicio 43

Swansea CanalCamlas Abertawe

Proposed cycle route 43Llwybr beicio arfaethedig 43

Pontardawe FestivalGwyl Pontardawe

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Rhyd-y-fro and GelligronThe large Saron Independent chapel (1905) in Rhyd-y-fro is aclassic reflection of the power of the Welsh Non-conformisttradition. Nearby can be seen its much smaller and simplerprecursor, Hen Saron, (1844). However, off Baran Road, highon the moorland of Mynydd Carnllechart to the south, canbe found its even older mother church, Capel y Baran,established in 1805. The three buildings echo an era whenreligious faith and intellectual debate was at the heart ofWelsh community life. The mountain roads and paths ofMynydd y Gwrhyd to the north of Rhyd-y-fro are well wortha visit to experience their wild expanses. They can leadtravellers to another religious building with an even olderhistory, namely Llangiwg Church between the village andPontardawe. Now owned by a community group since itsclosure in 2004. High on the Barran Mountain stands amonument to our ancient past. The stones of Carn Llechart,locally known as ‘Cerrig Pikes’ is a stone circle dating fromthe neolithic period and was a burial mound. The circle ofstones and the central burial cist are the only reminders of this ancient tomb. Dotted over this high upland ancientlandscape are other stone tombs and stones all dating to atime in pre-history. The history of the area can be tracedback to Norman times but more recently to the 16th and17th Centuries when the area was owned by the largeThomas Estate. And later by the Jeffries Estate. The largehouse known as Gelligron House was once occupied by thatgreat Welsh preacher, Josiah Rees and later by one of theGilbertson family.

The Upper Clydach River that flows to the west of Rhydyfroand Gelligron had at one time five working water millsproducing flour and woolen materials, all now sadlyvanished apart from the ruin of Gelligron Mill.

AlltwenAlltwen grew rapidly during the 19th Century as a villagepopulated by tinplate workers, miners at the Primrose colliery,and quarrymen. The Welsh name Alltwen, however, refers toits rural past: it means White Slope, a reference to the Mayblossom of the prolific native hawthorn. The village lies underthe crag of Craig Alltwen from which walkers can enjoydramatic views of the Swansea Valley. As they do so, perhapsthey may think of David Thomas who was educated inAlltwen: reflecting the pioneering industrial tradition of thevalley, he became known as ‘Father of the Anthracite IronIndustry’, owning the biggest anthracite iron company in the USA. Two other locals who reflected different aspects ofcommunity life were boxer Ronnie James, British LightweightChampion in the 1940s and world title challenger in 1946, and the much-loved actress Rachel Thomas. This archetypal ‘Welsh Mam’ appeared in films such as Proud Valley, Blue Scarand Under Milk Wood (with Richard Burton and ElizabethTaylor) but, perhaps most endearingly of all, in the Welsh-language television soap opera Pobl y Cwm from 1974 to 1992.

Rhyd-y-fro a GelligronMae capel annibynnol mawr Saron (1905) yn Rhyd-y-fro ynadlewyrchiad clasurol o bwer traddodiad Anghydffurfiaethyng Nghymru. Gerllaw, gellir gweld ei ragflaenydd llawersymlach a llai, sef Hen Saron (1844). Fodd bynnag, oddi arHeol y Baran, yn uchel ar weundir Mynydd Carnllechart i’r de,gellir cael hyd i’r fam eglwys sydd yn llawer hyn, sef Capel yBaran, a sefydlwyd ym 1805. Mae’r tri adeilad yn ein hatgoffao gyfnod pan roedd ffydd grefyddol a dadlau deallusol ynganolog i fywyd y gymuned yng Nghymru. Mae’n werthymweld â ffyrdd a llwybrau Mynydd y Gwrhyd i’r gogledd o Ryd-y-fro i brofi eu heangderau gwyllt. Gallant arwainteithwyr i adeilad crefyddol arall gyda hanes hyd yn oed ynhyn na’r uchod, sef Eglwys Llangiwg rhwng y pentref aPhontardawe. Mae bellach yn eiddo i grwp cymunedol ers eichau yn 2004. Yn uchel ar Fynydd y Baran saif cofadail i’ngorffennol hynafol. Mae meini Carn Llechart, a adwaenir ynlleol yn ‘Gerrig Pikes’, yn gylch cerrig sy’n dyddio o’r cyfnodneolithig pan oedd yn domen gladdu. Y cylch cerrig a’r gistgladdu ganolog yw’r unig bethau sydd ar ôl i’n hatgoffa o’rbeddrod hynafol hwn. Mae beddrodau cerrig a meini eraill ynbritho tirwedd yr ucheldir hynafol hwn, a phob un yn dyddioo gyfnod cyn-hanes. Gellir olrhain hanes yr ardal yn ôl igyfnod y Normaniaid, ond yn fwy diweddar, i’r 16eg ganrif a’r17eg ganrif pan roedd yr ardal yn rhan o ystâd fawr y teuluThomas, ac yn ddiweddarach yn rhan o ystâd y teulu Jeffries.Bu’r pregethwr enwog, Josiah Rees, yn byw yn y ty mawr a adwaenir fel Plas Gelligron, ac yn ddiweddarach roedd un o deulu’r Gilbertson yn byw yno.

Ar un adeg roedd gan Afon Clydach Uchaf, sy’n llifo i’rgorllewin o Ryd-y-fro a Gelligron, bum melin ddwr a oedd yncynhyrchu blawd a deunyddiau gwlân. Yn anffodus mae’rcyfan bellach wedi diflannu ac eithrio adfail Melin Gelligron.

AlltwenTyfodd Alltwen yn gyflym yn ystod y 19eg ganrif fel pentreflle trigai gweithwyr tunplat, glowyr pwll glo’r Primrose achwarelwyr. Mae’r enw Alltwen serch hynny yn cyfeirio at eigefndir gwledig: ei ystyr yw llethr gwyn, cyfeiriad at flagur misMai’r ddraenen wen frodorol a chyffredin. Mae’r pentref yngorwedd dan glegyr Craig Alltwen, a gall cerddwyr fwynhaugolygfeydd dramatig o Gwm Tawe o’i gopa. Wrth iddynt wneudhynny, mae’n bosib eu bod yn meddwl am David Thomas aaddysgwyd yn Alltwen. Gan adlewyrchu traddodiad diwydiannolarloesol y cwm, daeth yntau’n adnabyddus fel ‘Tad y DiwydiantHaearn Glo Carreg’, ac roedd yn berchen ar y cwmni haearn glocarreg yn UDA. Dau ddyn lleol arall a adlewyrchai agweddaugwahanol ar fywyd y gymuned oedd y paffiwr Ronnie James,Pencampwr Pwysau Ysgafn Prydain yn y 1940au a heriwr teitl y byd ym 1946, a’r actores boblogaidd, Rachel Thomas. Mae’r enghraifft glasurol hon o’r fam Gymreig yn ymddangosmewn ffilmiau megis Proud Valley, Blue Scar ac Under MilkWood (gyda Richard Burton ac Elizabeth Taylor) ond, efallaiyn fwyaf hoffus yn ei rôl yn opera sebon teledu Cymraeg, Pobl y Cwm, o1974 tan 1992.

Ynysmeudwy a ChilmaengwynYstyr yr enw Ynysmeudwy yw ‘llifddol y meudwy’, sy’n awgrymuhanes crefyddol cynnar, ond daeth pentref cyfoes Ynysmeudwy i fodolaeth pan sefydlwyd crochendy yno ym 1848. Y cyswllthanfodol oedd camlas brysur Abertawe a oedd yn caniatáu i glai llestri o Gernyw gael ei gludo mewn ysgraffau er mwyncynhyrchu crochenwaith a oedd yn cael ei danio gan y glo lleolhelaeth. Roedd Crochendy Ynysmeudwy, a sefydlwyd gan y teuluWilliams o Gernyw, yn grochendy Fictoraidd traddodiadol agynhyrchai amrywiaeth eang o lestri bwrdd a jygiau. Yn eianterth roedd yn cynhyrchu 20,000 o eitemau crochenwaith yrwythnos. Fe’i gwerthwyd ym 1871 i berchnogion CrochendyLlanelli, a’i gau ym 1877, a defnyddiwyd ei ddyluniadau ar gyfercynnyrch Llanelli. Dymchwelwyd y crochendy er mwyn sefydlugwaith tunplat. Mae Crochenwaith Ynysmeudwy yn hynodgasgladwy. Yng Nghilmaengwyn, sy’n estyn i’r gogledd oYnysmeudwy, ceir dwy bont dros Gamlas Abertawe sydd bellachyn llonydd. Maent yn cysylltu â thaith gerdded ar hyd y llwybrhalio drwy Warchodfa Natur wyrddlas.

CilybebyllMewn lleoliad gwledig hardd yn uchel ar ochr ddwyreiniolCwm Tawe mae rhai llwybrau cyhoeddus sy’n caniatáu iymwelwyr fwynhau harddwch yr ardal dawel hon. Mae lletygwyliau hunanarlwyo ar gael yma hefyd. Mae dau adeiladpenodol yng Nghilybebyll sy’n adlewyrchu gwreiddiauhanesyddol y gymuned. Un ohonynt yw’r eglwys bentrefysblennydd, Eglwys Sant Ioan yr Efengylwr, y mae ganddi dwrNormanaidd. Mae’r twr yn cynnwys tair cloch, sef y clychaucanu ail hynaf yng Nghymru, gyda’r hynaf yn dyddio’n ôl ioddeutu 1430. Cafodd y rhan fwyaf o’r eglwys ei hadfer ym1869. Gan fod yr eglwys argrib uchel, credir iddichwarae rhanamddiffynnol yn ogystal â chrefyddol. Yr adeiladhanesyddol arall yw PlasCilybebyll. Yr adeiladtrawiadol hwn yw craiddyr ystâd ac mae eigweithredoedd yn dyddio’nôl i’r 14eg ganrif.

y cwm i lan yr afon, mae Ystalyfera hefyd yn ganolfanardderchog i ymweld â Bannau Brycheiniog, Abertawe,Penrhyn Gwyr a sawl safle o ddiddordeb arall.

Cwmllynfell a RhiwfawrMae pentref Cwmllynfell yn swatio wrth odreon yMynyddoedd Du panoramig lle mae gwythiennau cyfoethogmaes glo de Cymru’n codi’n agos i’r wyneb. Tyfodd yn gyflymgyda’r diwydiant glo yn y 19eg ganrif, gan ddod yn ganolfandiwylliant Cymraeg fywiog. Caewyd ei bwll dwfn olaf, aadwaenid fel ‘y Clinc’, ym 1956. Mae eangderau hardd yrardal hon o weundiroedd, sydd mor ddelfrydol i’r rhai sy’ndwlu ar yr awyr agored, yn ysbrydoliaeth i artistiaid a gellirgweld hyn wrth ymweld ag Oriel Gelf y Mynydd Du yn ypentref. Mae Neuadd Mileniwm Cwmllynfell yn cynnwysllyfrgell, ystafell TG, aml-gampfa ac ystafell ymarfer corff,gyda lawnt fowlio gerllaw. Mae Menter Aman Tawe, mentergymunedol sy’n defnyddio ffynonellau ynni adnewyddadwy,hefyd wedi’i lleoli yn y pentref. Cafwyd hwb i bentrefan uchelRhiwfawr, sydd ar grib yn uchel uwchben Cwm Twrch, rhwngCwmllynfell ac Ystradgynlais, pan adeiladwyd 40 o dai yno yny 1930au i wasanaethu pwll glo lleol. Gan fod y pwll bellachwedi cau, mae harddwch gwyrddlas yr ardal bellach wedi’i

adfer. Yn Rhiwfawr ceirParc Natur sy’n cynnwyscymysgedd diddorol o drac beicio BMX aphedwar maen hir sy’ncynrychioli GorseddBeirdd Cymru. Ar un o’rmeini mae cerdd o’r enw‘Glöwr’ a ysgrifennwyd ynnhafodiaith Cwm Tawegan y bardd a’r cyn-löwrlleol Cefnfab (T. GrahamWilliams). Mae’r ffordduchel o Riwfawr ynarwain i Bontardawe aRhyd-y-fro dros fynyddhardd y Gwrhyd.

Ynysmeudwy and CilmaengwynThe Welsh name Ynysmeudwy means 'water meadow ofthe Hermit', suggesting an early religious history, but themodern village of Ynysmeudwy came into being with theestablishment of a pottery in 1848. The essential link was thebustling Swansea Canal which enabled Cornish China clay tobe brought in barges for the production of pottery which wasfired by the plentiful local coal. Established by the Williamsfamily from Cornwall, the Ynysmeudwy Pottery was atraditional Victorian Pottery making a wide range of tablewareand jugs. At its height, it was producing 20,000 items ofpottery a week. Sold in 1871 to the owners of the LlanellyPottery, it was closed in 1877 with its designs being used forLlanelly products. The pottery was demolished to make wayfor a tinplate works. Ynysmeudwy pottery is known to be very collectable. At Cilmaengwyn, which extends north fromYnysmeudwy, there are two bridges over the now quietSwansea Canal. They link to a towpath walk through a verdant Nature Reserve.

CilybebyllIn a beautiful rural setting high on the eastern side of theSwansea Valley, there are some public footpaths enablingvisitors to enjoy the beauty of this tranquil area. There is alsoself catering holiday accommodation available. Cilybebyll hastwo buildings which particularly reflect the historic roots ofthe community. One is the splendid village church, that ofSt John the Evangelist, which has a Norman tower. The towerholds three bells that are the second oldest ringing bells inWales, with the oldest dating back to about 1430. Most of thechurch was restored in 1869. Located as it is on a high ridge,the church is believed to have had a defensive as well asreligious role. The other historic building is Plas Cilybebyll –‘plas’ being Welsh for ‘mansion’. This impressive building is at the heart of an estate the deeds of which date back to the 14th Century.

Godre’r Graig and Graig NewyddGodre’r Graig means ‘On the edge of the rock’ and the village,along with Graig Newydd (‘new Graig’), extends below the highrock face, down the valley slopes to the banks of the RiverTawe. The gem of the area is provided by the Swansea CanalNature Reserve with its beautiful riverside and canal walks.The reserve reflects the rebirth of the natural environmentfollowing years of despoliation by the harsh coal industry fromwhich the community grew. The surviving buildings of theTarenni Colliery, closed in 1949, can be found at the site of theSwansea Valley Tyres company. Tragedy had struck the collieryin 1909 when water gushed into its workings from anabandoned mine, drowning five workers. Two were young ladsof only 14 years of age, one on his first day underground. The community’s other pit, Crimea Colliery, had been built in1856. Constructed as a canal side complex, the site is wellworth a visit as its beam engine house remains standing as an important relic of the bygone Age of Coal.

YstalyferaUp until the second half of the 17th Century, the Ystalyferaarea consisted largely of isolated farmsteads surrounded by analmost impenetrable surrounding terrain. Iron and coal wasalready being extracted in a small way, but the extension ofthe Swansea Valley canal in 1798 marked a turning point. With the metallurgical and anthracite coal industries beinggreatly boosted, burgeoning Ystalyfera became a majorcommercial and cultural centre for the central and upperSwansea Valley. By 1863 it had what was described as thelargest tinplate works in the world, transporting 52,235 tons

of minerals and coal to the world via Swansea docks. In thedecade from its establishment in 1926, the Ystalyfera mixedchoir, led by the W D Clee, was hailed as among greatest thatWales had known. Whilst some of this era’s legacies stillremain, such as an imposing aqueduct, most of the scars fromthe Industrial Revolution have disappeared. This friendly andvery Welsh-speaking part of the Swansea Valley offers a warmwelcome in its pubs and shop, excellent fishing and cycling,and convenient footpaths to enjoy its now-returned naturalbeauty. Stretching from the valley’s steep slopes to theriverside, Ystalyfera is also an excellent base for visiting theBrecon Beacons, Swansea, the Gower peninsula and manyother sites of interest.

Cwmllynfell and RhiwfawrCwmllynfell village nestles in the foothills of the panoramicBlack Mountains where the rich seams of the south Welshcoalfield rise close to the surface. It grew rapidly with the coalmining industry in the 19th Century, becoming a vibrantcentre of Welsh language culture. Its last deep mine – known

as ‘the Clink’ – was closed in1956. The beautiful expansesof this moorland area, soideal for lovers of the greatoutdoors, is an inspirationfor artists as can be seen bya visit to the Black MountainArt Gallery which is locatedin the village. CwmllynfellMillennium Hall offers alibrary, an IT suite, a multi-gym, exercise room and an

adjoining bowling green. The village is also the base forMenter Aman Tawe, a community venture which is harnessingrenewable energy sources. The hamlet of Rhiwfawr, high on aridge overlooking the Twrch Valley between Cwmllynfell andYstradgynlais, was boosted by the building of 40 houses in the1930s to serve a local colliery. With the mine now closed, thearea’s verdant beauty has been restored. Rhiwfawr features aNature Park which includes the interesting mixture of a BMXcycling track and four standing stones representing the WelshGorsedd of Bards. On one of the stones is a poem entitled‘Glowr’ / ‘Collier’ written in the Swansea Valley Welsh dialect by local poet and former collier Cefnfab (T.Graham Williams).The high road from Rhiwfawr leads to Pontardawe and Rhyd-y-fro over picturesque Mynydd y Gwrhyd.

Rhos & GellinuddRhos and Gellinudd villages are to be found on the main roadwhich crosses the mountain ridge between the Swansea andNeath Valleys, linking the towns of Pontardawe and Neath (the A474). Originally a strongly agricultural area, thecommunities had grown in the 19th Century to serve collieriessuch as the Primrose, the Bryncoch and Cefn Celfi. Nowadays,Rhos features a pub, a post office, and a grocery shop, andthere are a number of restaurants close at hand. Camping isavailable. The local Rhos Cwmtawe Male Voice Choir is anaward-winning choir with a distinguished history. It has beenat the heart of community life since being established in 1970.

Godre’r Graig a Graig NewyddYstyr Godre’r Graig yw ‘wrth droed y graig’ ac mae’r pentrefhwn ynghyd â Graig Newydd yn ymestyn islaw wyneb uchel y graig, i lawr llethrau’r cwm i lannau Afon Tawe. Gem yr ardal yw Gwarchodfa Natur Camlas Abertawe gyda’i llwybrau cerdded hardd ar hyd y gamlas a glannau’r afon. Mae’r warchodfa’n adlewyrchu aileni’r amgylchedd naturiolyn dilyn blynyddoedd o anrhaith gan y diwydiant glo didostury tyfodd y gymuned ohono. Gellir dod o hyd i hen adeiladauPwll Glo Tarenni a gaeodd ym 1949, ar safle cwmni SwanseaValley Tyres. Cafwyd trychineb yn y pwll ym 1909 panbistyllodd dwr i mewn i’r gwaith glo o bwll gwag, gan foddipump o weithwyr. Roedd dau ohonynt yn fechgyn ifanc 14 oed, ac un ohonynt ar ei ddiwrnod cyntaf dan ddaear.Adeiladwyd pwll arall y gymuned, Pwll Glo Crimea, ym 1856.Wedi’i adeiladu fel cyfadeilad wrth ymyl y gamlas, mae’nwerth ymweld â’r safle gan fod y ty injan trawst yn dal isefyll, yn olion pwysig o Oes y Glo a fu.

YstalyferaHyd at ail hanner yr 17eg ganrif, roedd ardal Ystalyfera’ncynnwys ffermydd unig yn bennaf wedi’u hamgylchynu gandir a oedd bron yn anhygyrch. Roedd haearn a dur eisoes yncael eu hechdynnu ar raddfa fach, ond gwelwyd trobwynt ynsgîl ehangu Camlas Cwm Tawe ym 1789. Gyda’r hwb enfawri’r diwydiannau glo carreg a metelegol, datblygodd Ystalyferafwyfwy yn brif ganolfan fasnachol a diwylliannol i rannaucanolog ac uchaf Cwm Tawe. Erbyn 1863 roedd ganddo’r hyn a ddisgrifiwyd fel y gwaith tunplat mwyaf yn y byd, yn cludo 52,235 o dunnelli o fwynau a glo ar draws y byddrwy ddociau Abertawe. Yn y degawd ers ei sefydlu ym 1926, dywedwyd bod côr cymysg Ystalyfera, dan arweiniad W D Clee, ymhlith y goreuon a gafwyd yng Nghymru. Er bod rhai olion o’r cyfnod yn aros, megis y traphont ddwr fawreddog, mae’r rhan fwyaf o greithiau’r ChwyldroDiwydiannol wedi diflannu. Mae’r rhan gyfeillgar hon o GwmTawe lle siaredir cryn dipyn o Gymraeg, yn cynnig croesocynnes iawn yn ei thafarndai a’i siopau, a cheir pysgota abeicio gwych a llwybrau troed cyfleus i fwynhau’r harddwchnaturiol sydd bellach wedi’i adfer. Yn ymestyn o lethrau serth

Rhos a GellinuddMae Rhos a Gellinudd yn bentrefi ar y briffordd sy’n croesicrib y mynydd rhwng cymoedd Tawe a Nedd, gan gysylltu trefiPontardawe a Chastell-nedd (yr A474). Yn wreiddiol yn ardalamaethyddol gref, roedd y cymunedau wedi tyfu yn y 19egganrif i wasanaethu glofeydd megis y Primrose, Bryncoch a’rCefn Celfi. Heddiw, ceir tafarn, swyddfa bost a siop groser ynRhos, ac mae sawl bwyty gerllaw. Mae safleoedd gwersylla argael. Mae’r côr lleol, Côr Meibion Rhos, wedi ennill llawer owobrau ac mae hanes nodedig iddo. Mae wedi bod wrthwraidd bywyd y gymuned ers ei sefydlu ym 1970.

CyclingBeicio

Cwmllynfell Chapel Capel Cwmllynfell

Ystalyfera aqueductTraphont ddwr Ystalyfera

Rhiwfawr

Painted Ladylâr Fach Dramor

WalkingCerdded

River TaweAfon Tawe

Winter scene of the Swansea ValleyGolygfa aeafol o Gwm Tawe

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swansea valley cwm tawe · swansea valley - in welsh, cwm tawe - was shaped by glacial action...

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