places to visit

Mon and Brec Canal

I’ve recently started as a volunteer lock keeper on the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal at Llangynidr. Not knowing that much about the canal I decided to research it all as the basis for a new website about the canal. There are some great resources out there about the canal, so the website just builds on what’s already been done. The website focuses more on contemporary photos of the main locations on the canal.

It’s still a work in progress but worth a visit I think – Mon and Brec Canal

Melingriffith Water Pump, Glamorganshire Canal

Just before the Covid-19 lock-down started we visited the Long Wood Nature Reserve in north Cardiff. Running through the Reserve is part of the old Glamorganshire Canal.

Nearby is the Mellingriffith Water Pump. The pump was built around about 1793 to pump waste water from the nearby tin plate works into the canal to maintain water levels.

Tufa cliffs at Cwm Nash Beach

We went down Cwm Nash last weekend.

This photo is at the end of the Cwm (valley) looking back inland. It’s quite interesting because all of the rock either side here (out of view) is grey liassic limestone that weathers to a light buff colour. But all of the buff coloured cliff face here is post glacial tufa. Tufa is a calcareous deposit. All of the cliff that you can see here is lime that has precipitated from the valley stream since the last ice age – only about 12,000 years ago. So the cliff has slowly built up from the stream. The stream is currently quite small and now comes out of the bridge structure over to the right.

Eisteddfod 2012

Last week we went to the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Llandow, in the Vale of Glamorgan. We were invited as guests of the Principality Building Society which was very nice. 🙂   The Principality is Wales’ largest mutual building society and is the main sponsor of the National Eisteddfod choral competitions.

The Eisteddfod is a cultural festival and is held annually in Wales. Its location alternates each year between north and south Wales and is normally held at a new site each time. This year Llandow between Cowbridge and Llantwit Major was chosen.

The Eisteddfod is held on the ‘Maes’ which is home to a big pink Pavilion and up to three hundred stands and exhibits. The Pavilion is the focus of competing and ceremonies during the week long event. The whole festival takes place in the Welsh language but it welcomes visitors from all nations and speaking all languages.

Llantrithyd Church and Manor House

We stopped off today at Llantrithyd Church. It’s situated in the centre of the rural Vale of Glamorgan half way between Cardiff and Cowbridge. It’s off the beaten track along a small lane that runs from Bonvilston through the countryside eventually ending up in Llantwit Major.

The church appears to date from the 1500s and is a beautiful place. The inside of the church is well worth a visit when it’s open – “Here is a massive 16th century family altar tomb dominating the tiny interior. It retains its colourful paint and gilded detailing and shows a man in armour laying next to his wife, both with their hands together in prayer.” – Wales Online

Things to do and where to go in South Wales

One of the most popular pages on this site is my Things to do and where to go in South Wales
page.

South Wales has loads of great places to visit and this page lists just a few places that you may find interesting and entertaining. It’s constantly being updated and checked so it’s worth coming back to again in the future if you’re looking for fresh ideas.

If you want to suggest somewhere else for the page please contact me.  My contact details can be found on the About page.