Aber-Clydach

Settlement in Glamorgan

Wales

Aber-Clydach

Descent from Allt y Fanog Credit: Alan Hughes

Aber-Clydach is a small village located in the county of Glamorgan, Wales. It is situated in the picturesque Swansea Valley and is surrounded by lush green hills and the scenic River Clydach. The village is part of the larger community of Clydach, which also includes the nearby village of Ynystawe.

Historically, Aber-Clydach was a thriving industrial area during the 19th century. It was known for its coal mining and ironworks industries, which brought employment and prosperity to the community. However, as the demand for coal declined in the 20th century, the industries gradually diminished, and Aber-Clydach transformed into a more residential area.

Today, Aber-Clydach retains its charm as a peaceful and close-knit community. It has a population of approximately 3,000 residents. The village offers a range of amenities, including a primary school, a community hall, and several local shops and pubs.

Nature enthusiasts are drawn to Aber-Clydach for its stunning landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities. The nearby Clydach Gorge is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers, offering beautiful woodland walks and breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

Overall, Aber-Clydach is a tranquil village that combines its rich industrial heritage with natural beauty, making it an attractive place to live or visit for those seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of Glamorgan.

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Aber-Clydach Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.694465/-3.8998443 or Grid Reference SN6801. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Descent from Allt y Fanog

Alan Hughes

Trapped waymarker

Tree roots have grown around the waymarker, gripping it tightly.

Alan Hughes

Public footpath and stile

Across Cathelyd towards Cwm Clydach.

Alan Hughes

Waterfall on Lower Clydach River

Alan Hughes

Lower Clydach River

Now a RSPB nature reserve, this beautiful valley belies its industrial past. Old mine buildings lurk among the trees and the bronze discolouration of the water is due to mine seepage.

Alan Hughes

Trig pillar on Mynydd Gelliwastad

This trig pillar is right next to a rutted trail across the mountain. This is the view east towards Clydach below. If you look carefully, you can see the chimney from the Inco nickel refinery popping up above the bushes just a little to the right of the pillar top. Swansea, Port Talbot and much of the Swansea valley are also visible from this hill.

Nigel Davies

Church and Refinery at Clydach

The chimney stack of the nickel refinery dominates the town of Clydach near Swansea. Here it can be seen to the south of a church in the middle of town.

Nigel Davies

Clydach Refinery seen from above

Here is a view of the Inco nickel refinery as seen from the trail up Mynydd Gelliwastad.

Nigel Davies

Information board in Cwm Clydach Nature Reserve

The tree lined valley surrounding a crescent shaped portion of the Clydach river is designated as an RSPB Nature Reserve. This information board is near the car park at the south end. The trail and public footpath follow the river most of the way up to the next road bridge at Pont Llechart.

Nigel Davies

Bend in the River Clydach

This is the view southeast down the river. Although it is now a nature reserve and quite overgrown, there are numerous small signs of mining industry here: building foundations, buried steel ropes and the stone walled artificial bank of the river, visible on the curve in the distance.

Nigel Davies

Fallen riverbank wall on river Clydach

The river wall pictured in SN6802 : Bend in the River Clydach has collapsed a little further upstream here.

Nigel Davies

Semi derelict stable

Small shed used as a stable on side of single track road, with possible stile on side of building (no footpath sign though so probably private).

John Phoenix

Moriah, Ynystawe.

Capel y Bedyddwyr, mae'r garreg uwchben y drysau yn cofnodi 1892 fel blwyddyn yr adeiladu. Helaethwyd yr adeilad yn 1928. A Baptist chapel, the stone above the doors gives 1892 as the year of construction. The chapel was enlarged in 1928.

Gerallt Pennant

Bethania, Clydach

Mae'r garreg ar y wyneb yn dweud mai'r Parchedig Morgan Lewis adeiladodd y capel yn 1841 ac mai James Loid oedd y saer maen. The stone between the upper windows commemorates the Rev. Morgan Lewis as the builder of the chapel and James Loid as the mason.

Gerallt Pennant

Footbridge, Glais

The footpath crosses the line of an old railway below.

Chris Eilbeck

River Tawe, near Glais

Looking upstream, taken from the A4067 bridge.

Chris Eilbeck

Bryntawe, Ynystawe

A very steep suburban road on the northern edge of the Swansea conurbation.

Jonathan Billinger

Dismantled railway to Clydach tinplate works

As seen from SN6900 : Footbridge, Glais The OS have recently updated their maps to remove the rails from this line but the tree growth suggests they have been gone for much longer. The cutting is wide enough for two tracks and there are now two worn paths side by side along the course. The visible bridge is part of the more recently built A4067.

Nigel Davies

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Aber-Clydach is located at Grid Ref: SN6801 (Lat: 51.694465, Lng: -3.8998443)

Unitary Authority: Swansea

Police Authority: South Wales