Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
BRECON CANAL WILDLIFE
To view larger picture files please double click on any of the slideshows and open that album of larger stills. You then also have the option of downloading one or more "full size" pictures.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR MONMOUTHSHIRE AND BRECON CANAL BLOG
Anyone wishing to visit the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal can view a slideshow here before doing so, and if you are a past visitor, we hope to give you a pleasant reminder of the canal with these pictures taken between Brecon and Pontymoile.
We hope you enjoy your visit to this blog and look forward to your comments on our posts section.
We hope you enjoy your visit to this blog and look forward to your comments on our posts section.
BRECON TO BRYNICH AQUEDUCT
A good place to begin your journey is at Brecon Basin. With its Theatre (Tel: 01874 611622) and nearby Brecon National Park, there are a range of places to visit including - Brecon castle, South Wales Boarders Museum, Brecknock Museum, Brecon Cathedral, and also its annual Jazz Festival every August.
BRYNICH -PENCLLI
From Brynich to Pencelli Village you can expect nothing but outstanding views. The Boatyard "Cambrian Cruisers" (Tel:01874 665315) is on this stretch of canal as well as "Pencelli Court lift bridge" 155. Also near the canalside is "The Royal Oak" at bridge 153 serving real ale and home made food (Tel:01874 665396).
TALYBONT - LLANGYNIDR
After passing through Penceli then travelling down towards the picteresque Talybont-On-Usk, you will pass lift bridges 150, 149, and 148. There are three good canalside public houses, "The travellers rest" (Tel:01874 676233), "The White Heart Inn" (Tel:01874 676227), and also, "the Star Inn" (Tel:01874 676635) which all serve food. Talybont Village has a post office, stores and public phone, and has an electric lift bridge 144. Once through Talybont and heading towards Llangynidr, boaters have to navigate through the Ashford Tunnel which is 375 yards long between bridges 142 and 141. After bridge 135, there are five locks to get through in the Cwmcrawnon area. At the canalside Public House "The Coach And Horses" (Tel:01874 730245) they have a varied menu and serve good food. Moving on through Llangynidr again with post office and stores, is a Country Village Pub serving real ale and home made food (Tel:01874 730223).
LLANGATTOCK - GOVILON
Travelling through Crickhowell you pass a small aqueduct heading towards bridge 115. at Llangattock there are stunning views with woodland and mountains each side of you as you head towards Gilwern with its shops and canalside public houses.
leaving Gilwern, you will arrive at Govilon village where there is a post office and stores, the Bridgend Inn (01873 830177), and The LION Inn (01873 830404) just a short walk off the canal.
leaving Gilwern, you will arrive at Govilon village where there is a post office and stores, the Bridgend Inn (01873 830177), and The LION Inn (01873 830404) just a short walk off the canal.
LLANFOIST- PONTYMOILE
Traveling through Llanfoist you will see Brecon Park Boats hire base (tel:01873 858277) set in one of the most picturesque spots along the canal. in this area you can walk from the canal in to Llanfoist Village and visit the Exotic East Indian Restaurant (tel:01873 855553) or take a short journey in to Abergavenny Market Town.
as you continue down the canal, you arrive at Llanover estate with the Sugar Loaf Mountain coming into view, then as you move on to Goytre Wharf, there are many things to do where it is well worth stopping at the Waterside Rest restaurant and bar for food and refreshmens (tel:01873 881355). there is also a crafts and souvenirs shop, play area and picnic area, and woodland walks. check out the Red Line Hire Boats Base (tel:01873 880516) or online http://www.redlineboats.co.uk.
moving on towards Mamhilad there is a Public House "the horseshoe inn" about a 1/4 mile walk off the canal at bridge 65 (tel:01873880542), and also "The Star inn" a short walk off bridge 62 (tel:01495 785319).
Onwards towards Pontymoile Basin there are moorings and a Marina Tea Room open in the summer for tea coffee and breakfast and lunches. there is an old 1813 toll cottage canalside which is available to rent as a Holiday Cottage (tel:07970 548810). from bridge 52 at Pontymoile, it's a 15min walk in to Pontypool Town with its shopping center, park, and leisure centre.
as you continue down the canal, you arrive at Llanover estate with the Sugar Loaf Mountain coming into view, then as you move on to Goytre Wharf, there are many things to do where it is well worth stopping at the Waterside Rest restaurant and bar for food and refreshmens (tel:01873 881355). there is also a crafts and souvenirs shop, play area and picnic area, and woodland walks. check out the Red Line Hire Boats Base (tel:01873 880516) or online http://www.redlineboats.co.uk.
moving on towards Mamhilad there is a Public House "the horseshoe inn" about a 1/4 mile walk off the canal at bridge 65 (tel:01873880542), and also "The Star inn" a short walk off bridge 62 (tel:01495 785319).
Onwards towards Pontymoile Basin there are moorings and a Marina Tea Room open in the summer for tea coffee and breakfast and lunches. there is an old 1813 toll cottage canalside which is available to rent as a Holiday Cottage (tel:07970 548810). from bridge 52 at Pontymoile, it's a 15min walk in to Pontypool Town with its shopping center, park, and leisure centre.
CANALSIDE VIEWS COTTAGES/PUBLIC HOUSES
Just some of the outstanding must see places to visit along the canal, and also some scenic views pictured just off the canalside.
OTHER SECTIONS OF THE OLD MONMOUTHSHIRE AND BRECON
We have added a slideshow of the old Monmouthshire sections currently cut off from the 35 mile navigable Brecon to Pontymoile section. Included in the slideshow is a section between Pontymoile and Five Locks on the outskirts of Cwmbran. this section is still linked and with renewed dredging in 2003 the depth of water has enabled smaller boats to cruise here and visit the new basin at five locks built in 1996.
********************************
crumlin arm
********************************
Also pictured is the cut off section in the Cwmcarn and Pontywaun area with some boats still cruising the canal. Sadly, the section of the Crumlin arm between Pontywaun and Crumlin was filled in around 1968/69 and replaced with the (A467) road.
Pontywaun has undergone some restoration work recently, and now has its own slipway and you can cruise through Crosskeys and Risca , but further up, the canal is overgrown and unnavigable with green algi spread over the surface of the water.
however, the canal still holds its charm of what used to be a fully functional canal in its day , with its undisturbed wildlife currently flourishing.
*************************************
Fourteen Locks & New Canal Centre
*************************************
The impressive Fourteen Locks and new canal centre at Rogerstone is certainly worth a visit. There are interactive computers within the centre which enable you to research the canals history and people,and you can also view many old photographs of the canal. There is also a tea room where you can enjoy snacks & cold drinks and a shop which has a good range of canal books, maps, wildlife books, ect. the fourteen lock system there raises the canal by a huge 155ft in less than half a mile and the top lock has recently been restored. Visit www.fourteenlocks.co.uk for more information or telephone 01633 894802 for enquires.
********************************
crumlin arm
********************************
Also pictured is the cut off section in the Cwmcarn and Pontywaun area with some boats still cruising the canal. Sadly, the section of the Crumlin arm between Pontywaun and Crumlin was filled in around 1968/69 and replaced with the (A467) road.
Pontywaun has undergone some restoration work recently, and now has its own slipway and you can cruise through Crosskeys and Risca , but further up, the canal is overgrown and unnavigable with green algi spread over the surface of the water.
however, the canal still holds its charm of what used to be a fully functional canal in its day , with its undisturbed wildlife currently flourishing.
*************************************
Fourteen Locks & New Canal Centre
*************************************
The impressive Fourteen Locks and new canal centre at Rogerstone is certainly worth a visit. There are interactive computers within the centre which enable you to research the canals history and people,and you can also view many old photographs of the canal. There is also a tea room where you can enjoy snacks & cold drinks and a shop which has a good range of canal books, maps, wildlife books, ect. the fourteen lock system there raises the canal by a huge 155ft in less than half a mile and the top lock has recently been restored. Visit www.fourteenlocks.co.uk for more information or telephone 01633 894802 for enquires.
CONTACT
FINALLY, WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED VIEWING THESE SLIDESHOWS AND READING THIS INFORMATION ABOUT THE MONMOUTHSHIRE AND BRECON CANAL AND HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL INSPIRE YOU (FIRST TIME VISITERS OR PAST VISITERS) TO SEE THIS CANAL. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS AT OUR POSTS SECTION.