Our Heritage Trails
Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Gwynfi Heritage Trails is aimed at preserving and promoting the long and rich heritage of the twin villages of Aber | Blaengwynfi
This area of the site also guides visitors to the region through a series of Heritage Trails created around the history of the villages, and based around the central themes of The Blue Scar Trail, Industrial Trail, Nature Trail and Community Trails
All these trails, and more, can be explored via the links below
Please enjoy browsing the details of the trails online below
We look forward to welcoming you to Aber | Blaengwynfi to explore the trails in person soon!
This area of the site also guides visitors to the region through a series of Heritage Trails created around the history of the villages, and based around the central themes of The Blue Scar Trail, Industrial Trail, Nature Trail and Community Trails
All these trails, and more, can be explored via the links below
Please enjoy browsing the details of the trails online below
We look forward to welcoming you to Aber | Blaengwynfi to explore the trails in person soon!
Gwynfi Heritage Trails
For further information on the individual trails, please click on the gold text below, or scroll down for information on all four
Each of these trails is currently under construction, and we would be delighted to receive input from local and former residents on the content of each trail. Current information - to date - can be found below.
If you have any photographs of any of the sites that you would be willing to submit, or if there are additional sites not yet featured in the trails that you would like to see included, please email us at gwynfiheritagetrails@gmail.com or message us via the Gwynfi Heritage Trails Facebook page
This trail is based around sites featured in the movie "The Blue Scar" which was filmed in the village and released in 1949. The Blue Scar is an important contribution to film history, being the first feature film to be directed by a female director, Jill Craigie, and the first movie soundtrack to be scored by a female composer, Grace Williams.
Blue Scar Trail locations include:
- The central former Avon Colliery site
- Commercial Street
- "The Rec" mountain top football field
Blue Scar Trail locations include:
- The central former Avon Colliery site
- Commercial Street
- "The Rec" mountain top football field
The Industrial Trail is centred around the former industrial sites in the villages, including:
- The Afan Colliery
- Pithead Baths
- Afan Hill
- Quarries
- Railway Stations
- The Rhondda Tunnel
- The Afan Colliery
- Pithead Baths
- Afan Hill
- Quarries
- Railway Stations
- The Rhondda Tunnel
The Nature Trail is centred around natural sites of interest located around the villages, including:
- The Queen Mary Rocks
- Forestry Walks
- The River Afan
- The Queen Mary Rocks
- Forestry Walks
- The River Afan
The Community Trails are centred around current and former community buildings of interest, both former sites and those that remain in the twin villages of Abergwynfi and Blaengwynfi
Featured buildings include chapels, churches, schools, hotels and more
A detailed list, divided by those in each of the two villages, can be found below
Visitors can opt to explore one or other of the trails, or the two trails combined
Featured buildings include chapels, churches, schools, hotels and more
A detailed list, divided by those in each of the two villages, can be found below
Visitors can opt to explore one or other of the trails, or the two trails combined
|
St Gabriel's Church
The Old School Tabor Chapel Scotch & Waun Street Afan Hill The Missionary Rooms The Pithead Baths (now Qualchem) The Gelli Hotel Caersalem The "Old Road" The Graig |
The Tunnel Hotel
Gwynfi United Football Ground Gwynfi Silver Band Rehearsal Room The Police Station Gwynfi Miners Community Hall Whitechapel G2 (former British Legion Club) Aber | Blaengwynfi Infants School Gwynfi Bowls Club Gwynfi Social Club Pen Afan Primary School The Western Hotel |
If you have images or information on any of the above locations you would be willing to contribute to the Heritage Trails project, or would like to see additional locations added to the trails, please contact us by email at gwynfiheritagetrails@gmail.com
