Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

The Monmouthshire Canal

The Monmouthshire Canal was granted its Act in 1792 and by 1796 eleven miles from Pontnewynydd to Newport were complete. The eleven mile Crumlin Arm from Crindau Junction to Crumlin was fully open by 1799. The canal was built to carry coal and iron to Newport and it led to a rapid expansion of the town and the riverside wharfs.

Tramroads were feeders to the Canal from the more mountainous areas such as Blaenafon but became direct routes to Newport in the Western Valley. Tramroads gradually became more important than the Canal and by 1848 the Company had become the Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Company. It bought out the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal in 1865 and by the time the GWR took over the day-to-day running in 1 875 the Canal was of little commercial importance except for the supply of water to Newport Docks.

Bridge 47 – Solomons Bridge – is the southern limit of British Waterways ownership. The remainder of the Monmouthshire Canal is now owned by Torfaen Borough, Newport City or Caerphilly Borough Councils.

The Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal

The Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal received its act in 1793. It was open from Gllwern to Brecon by the end of 1800 and to Govilon by 1804 but not until 1812 did it finally loin the Monmouthshire Canal at Pontymoile near Pontypool and so provide a through route to Newport and its river wharfs.

A short length in Brecon is lost under the road but the rest of the B & A is navigable for 33 miles and with its peace and glorious views is a real gem.

Tram Roads were feeders to the Canal rather than a competitor but the loss of the iron trade to more coastal works and the coal trade to the railways led to the inevitable decline and most traffic had ceased by 1930.

In the late 1950s the leisure potential was realised. A weekly hire firm started in 1961 though rowing boats and canoes had been used since the early 1800s. Now there are over 400 privately owned boats and over 40 hire boats operating on that stretch of canal from Brecon to Pontnewydd.

Other things to do...

Coliseum Cinema, Brecon

Two Screen Cinema, offering all the latest movies in comfortable surroundings on big, bright Screens with superb Dolby Digital Sound

Big Pit, Blaenavon

A visit not to be missed when visiting South East Wales. Unrivalled experiences of an authentic coal mine with visits guided by miners who once worked in the coal pits but there is so much more to see, if you wish to stay above ground

Cwm Clydach Nature Reserve

A gem sheltering beside the busy A465 Heads of the Valley Road

Raglan Castle

Although built for a wealthy family to live in comfort, Raglan Castle has many defensive features and is the ideal setting for lively games of knights and warriors.

Baker Street Cinema, Abergavenny

New Two Screen Cinema, offering all the latest movies in comfortable surroundings on big, bright screens with Superb Dolby Digital Sound

Partrishow Church

A wonderful small church hidden away in the hills with some surprises inside

Theatre Brycheiniog, Brecon

Brecon’s centre for the arts and entertainment

Tretower Court and Castle

Visit two wonders in one at this historic castle tower and medieval court housing 900 years of history in its grounds. At a mere seven minute drive from Crickhowell, this historic site is not one to be missed

Cwm Claisfer Nature Reserve

The wooded reserve of Cwm Claisfer is a mixture of commercial forestry with areas of high nature conservation interest

Beacon Park Boats

Hire a luxury electric boat or Canadian canoe for the day, half-day or by the hour from the terminus of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

Llangorse Multi Activity Centre

Llangorse Multi Activity Centre is Wales’ Premier Award Winning Indoor and Outdoor activity centre, set in the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park, Mid Wales!