The Clydach gorge runs roughly E-W between Abergavenny and Brynmawr. I travel along The A465 Heads od the Valleys road runs through the gorge quite regularly and have always fancied a wander round.
There are numerous industrial relics in the valley, including a couple of old iron works at Clydach and Llanely, and numerous quarries and the associated works and kilns.
The whole valley is criss-crossed by old tramways. Some remain as tracks, some as narrow (and steep!) lanes and one has been converted to a cycleway.
All the photos were taken from the cycleway, most in the vicinity of the limeworks which closed in the 1950s I think. As I was wearing cycling shoes, then exploring was a bit of a challenge!
There were two pairs of line kilns
A couple of shots from the base.
Staircase leading from bottom to top, located between the two banks of kilns. I was glad i kept my cycle helmet on!
Bottom of staircase
top
The tramway went through two tunnels. For some reason, each was a double tunnel. Seems a bit excessive for what was only a mineral line i think.
Three tunnels were gated, but one was open. If I'd had lights on the bike I'd have gone through.
At the E end of the second set of tunnels there looked to be some old mine workings. A covered culvert brought water down a spoil heap. This was the outflow. Very rich in iron.
Further up the line the track widened into what had been a sidings/loading area. I'll let you guys decide what this corrugated iron hut was used for.
There are numerous industrial relics in the valley, including a couple of old iron works at Clydach and Llanely, and numerous quarries and the associated works and kilns.
The whole valley is criss-crossed by old tramways. Some remain as tracks, some as narrow (and steep!) lanes and one has been converted to a cycleway.
All the photos were taken from the cycleway, most in the vicinity of the limeworks which closed in the 1950s I think. As I was wearing cycling shoes, then exploring was a bit of a challenge!
There were two pairs of line kilns
A couple of shots from the base.
Staircase leading from bottom to top, located between the two banks of kilns. I was glad i kept my cycle helmet on!
Bottom of staircase
top
The tramway went through two tunnels. For some reason, each was a double tunnel. Seems a bit excessive for what was only a mineral line i think.
Three tunnels were gated, but one was open. If I'd had lights on the bike I'd have gone through.
At the E end of the second set of tunnels there looked to be some old mine workings. A covered culvert brought water down a spoil heap. This was the outflow. Very rich in iron.
Further up the line the track widened into what had been a sidings/loading area. I'll let you guys decide what this corrugated iron hut was used for.