History
Cwmbran
Cwmbran which means "valley of the crows".
Not much local history about Cwmbran as it is a very new town only started to exisit at the beginning of around the 1900's. The oldest building in the area is the ruined church of Llanderfel which stands on the high slopes of Mynydd Maen and is thought to date around the 550AD time.
The few inhabitants that actually lived around the area were engaged in agriculture. There were early tinplate factories about, but the town complex that we know today was not started until the 1950's. Today it has a thriving shopping complex and large residential housing which is increasing all the time.
Pontypool
Still constructing this section......
Landmarks & Places of Interest
Cwmbran Civic Centre
This is the building that seats local government for Cwmbran and Pontypool and surrounding areas.
Cwmbran Stadium
The Stadium was built in 1965 but the main stand wasn't added until the early 1970's. The Stadium is seated in 22 acres of ground. Major athelitic events are held here, which include all the international athelitic professionals. The main Stand which can hold 2,000 people seated with a total ground capacity of 8,500 people. There are big changes of upgrading the Stadium planned in the millennim.
Click here to see some pictures of the events which are held at the Stadium
Greenmeadow Community Farm (Cwmbran)
In the early 1980's a group of local people came up with the exiting idea of establishing a community farm to save one of the last green spaces in Cwmbran from development. Today the original 17th century farmstead including 150 acres of land offers a magnificent rural reteat in an urban setting.
Police Headquarters (Cwmbran)
This is the Headquarters of the Police force of Gwent. A truely remarkable upto date police headquarters which uses all the modern day facillites available to keep law and order.
Folly Tower (Pontypool)
Folly Tower was built in the eighteenth century, the orginal Tower was demolished in 1940 because of fears that it would guide the Luftwaffe to the Ordnance factory and other industrial factories that were nearby. From the Tower you can see no fewer than seven counties on a clear day a truly remarkable landmark.
The Folly Tower has been fully rebuilt to it's former glory and was opened by the HRH The Prince of Wales in July 1994.
Llandegfedd Reservoir (Pontypool)
The Reservior is a man-made landmark. It is very popular place for sailing, jet skiing, etc, and fishing. It is suituated a very beautiful location of Pontypool.
Pontypool Ski Centre & Park
The Ski Centre has a dry ski slope and is situated in the picturesque location of Pontypool Park also the home of Pontypool Rugby Football Club.
Pontypool Old Town Hall
This is the old Town Hall which is situated in the heart of Pontypool. You can just see the new building behind it which replaced the old Town hall.
Valley Inheritance Museum (Pontypool)
The Museum was opened by the Torfaen Museum Trust in 1980 and is the former stables of Pontypool Park House. The Park House was the mansion of the Hanbury Family who, from the late 16th Century, laid the foundations for industrial in Torfaen. The Stables were built between 1810 and 1830 as part of the extensive improvements to the Park by Capel Handbury Leigh. The Stables stayed in use until 1915 when the last squire of Pontypool, John Handbury died, and the family moved away from the area. Although inside little remains of the original layout, the exterior has been restored by the Torfaen Museum Trust to its original character. The Museum is a building of charm and dignity, displays and audio visuals combine vividly to tell the story of the Torfean Valley and it's people from the earliest times to the present day. There is also a regularly changing programme of temporary exhibitions and special events.
Tourist Information
Tourist Officer, Economic Development Department, Torfaen County Borough Council, County Hall, Cwmbran, Torfaen, NP44 2WN; Tel: (044) 01633 648081
Welsh Tourist Board website; http://www.visitwales.com
Local Radio Stations:
Galaxy 101 Radio Station Red Dragon Radio Station
425 Net�1999