Ynyscedwyn Ironworks

The site of the Ynyscedwyn Ironworks is a remnant 

of the past and is one of the most iconic sights

in the village of Ystradgynlais near Swansea.

Visit Date March 2023

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Ynyscedwyn Ironworks' long history has been traced. Thanks to a find of pig iron it has been able to date iron production here back to 1612.

As you would expect the site has gone through many changes over the centuries.

What we see today is dated from a stone in the base of the wall of the chimney dated 1872 and is what is left of a mill that was constructed then possibly for Steel production. This was never completed and the site shortly after this housed a tinplate works.

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By 1837 three blast furnaces were running at the site which increased to 6 by 1853.

by 1854 the Inyscedwyn Ironworks were the largest producer in the country.

However, the glory days of the works were soon in decline after this date and by 1869-70 the works were closed.

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It was then that the rolling mill project was started, the remains of which we see today. But they were never completed and work was started converting the site to a tin works.

The tin works consisted of three operating mills from the periods 1889-1903 and 1905-41 before they also went the way of the ironworks.

The site then lay in disrepair until the site was cleared and landscaped in the late 20th century only leaving what we see today primarily the 1872 chimney and the massive arches on either side.

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Also on the site, a few pieces of the works are left. A dram or coal cart, the remains of a winding mechanism and the remains of a miner's cage.

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The site of the ironworks is open to the public and a housing estate is close by and also a children's playground is now alongside the historical site.

Footer:Visit Information: -

Google Reference: -
51.7682972861281, -3.7642929522232205

Google search term:
Ynyscedwyn Iron Works

What Three Words reference: -
///glassware.clips.demanding

OS Details: -
SN 78346 09208 : Altitude:230 ft

Additional information.

Visiting is very easy.
From the M4 junction 45 take the A4067 north then the B4559 the site is Situated on grassed site bounded by Glan-Rhyd Road and Pont Aur, just N of Ystradgynlais Hospital.
There is a parking at the site. (51.76851605993839, -3.7649497331170707).









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