Heads of the Valleys
hosted by
Tom
at
Rock House
in
Glynneath
Maen Llia stands near the Roman Road, Sarn Helen, where it crosses the mountains between Fan Nedd and Fan Llia.
Maen Llia stands near the Roman Road, Sarn Helen, where it crosses the mountains between Fan Nedd and Fan Llia.
Afon Nedd springs forth from Fan Nedd at the Western end of the Brecon Beacons. Like its tributaries Afon Mellte and Afon Hepste, it flows through a deep gorge over a series of waterfalls near Ystradfellte. Afon Mellte, uniquely, flows nearly a quarter of a mile underground at Porth yr Ogof, where its course can be followed by caving experts. This is definitely not reccommended for the inexperienced. Afon Mellte meetrs Afon Nedd at Pontneddfechan, above Glyn Neath, from where the valley follows a fault line, which has the effect of making it the straightest of the Valleys, as far as Neath town (Castel Nedd). The entire valley can be seen from the summit of Foel Penderyn, right to the sea (under favourable conditions).
Cwm Rhondda
Both Rhondda Fach and Rhondda Fawr descend from the nameless mountain which rises steeply above Tower Colliery. The two valleys meet near St. Mary's Well, a hidden, neglected and ancient shrine, still venerated by a few catholics, from where the valley winds down to Pontypridd where it joins Cwm Tâf.
Cwm Cynon
Afon Cynon finds its main water supply from a series of springs at Penderyn and from Cwm Cadlan which flows down to Penderyn from the East. Because the substrate here is deeply fissured limestone, much of the flow is underground, and the riverbed is frequently dry in Penderyn in summer.
Hirwaun can be considered as the Heart of the Heads of the Valleys, and is famous as the origin of the red flag of socialism, which was first raised on Hirwaun Common, which is on the nameless mountain above Tower Colliery, which has itself more recently become famous as the only coal mine to be bought up and rescued from closure by its own miners.
The river Cynon flows down from Hirwaun through Aberdare (Aberdâr) and Mountain Ash (Aberpennar), to join the Tâf at Abercynon.
Neath town offers a large number of pubs featuring loud music. The St. Ives Inn for gentler 70s/80s oldies. For Live Rock (incl. Heavy Metal / Punk) go to The Duke of Wellington, opposite. Both are just up the Castle steps at the back of Morrisons' car park. Don't park there overnight: it will cost you dear. Otherwise for a Rock ambience where it is just about possible sometimes to make conversation, go to the Full Moon. House->Dance->etc. mostly everywhere else.
The centre of Hirwaun is the Cardiff Arms, which has a dance floor and I used to like when I lived in Penderyn. The disco at the Bod (Bodwigiad Arms) has started again. For a traditional village pub with no music (except when the inmates burst into song), try The Lamb in Penderyn. For courting couples and others who wish to be left to themselves, Llew Goch (The Red Lion), on the hill by Penderyn church, is recommended, but if you leave late, look out for the ghost which haunts that neighbourhood.
