A Weekend in Monmouthshire (Updated 28th March)

Categories

• South West

LtoR: “Brecon Beacons from Bridge 55”, “Open Hearth Pub near Bridge 50”, “Gilwern Embankment from Clydach Rail Road”, “Canal Junction from Afon Llwyd Aqueduct, Pontymoel”

Unfortunately, due to illness, we have two rooms available
Please contact Roger Brice by email (roger.brice@rchs.org.uk ) or by phone (07702 303242) if you are interested.

We are pleased to announce a residential weekend event based in Pontypool organised by SW Group. The weekend will focus on the industrial and transport history of Monmouthshire, with a focus on the canals, tramroads, railways and river crossings in the southern part of the county. and will include three day trips with visit to locations of interest.

Accommodation will be at the Premier Inn, Ty’r Felin, Pontypool, NP4 0RH. The hotel is a short walk from the junction of the Brecknock & Abergavenny and Monmouthshire Canals at Pontymoel.

The programme is summarised below:

Thursday 24th April: (evening walk): A circular canal and railway walk from the hotel, including the canal basin, the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal viaduct and the MB&C/GW railway bridge over the Monmouthshire Canal. Short walks will also be suggested for Friday and Saturday evenings.

Friday 25th April (coach tour): Visits to Sudbrook & Black Rock (Severn Tunnel and earlier rail crossings); the Brunel bridge and the fomer Beachley-Aust Ferry MV Severn Princess at Chepstow; the Wye Valley Railway, including the Tintern Wireworks Branch, Tintern Station and the viaducts at Monmouth. There will be guided tours at Sudbrook, Black Rock and of MV Severn Princess.

Saturday 26th April (coach tour): Visits to the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal and Blaenavon, and their associated tramroads. Sites visited will include Goytre Canal Wharf & limekilns; Gilwwern – canal embankment & Clydach Rail Road; Blaenavon World Heritage sites (Ironworks & Big Pit) and heritage railwway; and then following the route of Hill’s Tramroad from Blaenavon to the canal wharf at Llanfoist.

Sunday 27th April: (coach tour): The day will begin by following a section of the Newport, Abergavenny & Hereford Railway (through Cwm y Gwyn) to Crumlin and then follow the Ebbw River towards Newport. Visits will be to the Industrial History Museum at Risca and Fourteen Locks on the Crumlin Arm. Afternoon visits will be to the Ty Coch locks restoration project and Five Locks on the Monmouthshire Canal at Cwmbran.

Please note: The programme each day includes walks which are an important component of the weekend: none will be more than 2.5 miles and the total distance walked each day will not exceed 5 miles.

The cost of the weekend, bed & breakfast for three nights (arrive 24^th; depart 27th April) and all coach trips and visits (but not including the heritage railway, lunch or dinner), will be £350 for a single room and £450 (£225 per person) for a twin room.

There is a Harvester Restaurant adjacent to the hotel and there are three pubs (well rated for food) around 1.1 miles walk from the hotel: either along the canal towpath or into Pontypool. The hotel does not offer evening meals but there is also the option to order evening meals to be delivered and eaten in the hotel breakfast area. There will be various options for lunch on each day.

Numbers will be limited and priority given to reservations for the full programme and to those who responded positively to an earlier request for expressions of interest. Enquiries and bookings will be accepted by email (monmouthshire@rchs.org.uk) or telephone to Roger Brice (07702 303242; 01625 533959). Using email avoids phones being busy and ensures the time of your request is recorded accurately.

Bookings can be made after 10:00am on Monday 18th November 2024. Payment will be by bank transfer or cheque. Full details will be given after the booking has been confirmed.

The hotel contract means that bookings must be paid in full, no later than Friday 17^th January 2025 .

Please note: All booking should should be accompanied by a contact email address.

For further information or questions, please contact Roger Brice (roger.brice@rchs.org.uk; tel: 07702 303242; 01625 533959)

Roger Brice, 26^th November 2024.