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Today the limestone cliffs that form
the Llangattock escarpment
dominate the skyline in the Crickhowell locality of the national park.
Most would
agree that it is a striking attractive feature of the landscape. Yet
it is not a natural feature rather the results of extensive quarrying in
the 18th and 19th centuries. The construction of the Monmouthshire and
Brecon Canal between 1797 and 1812 encouraged extensive quarrying on the
Llangattock ridge eventually extending for nearly 5 km. The quarry on the Llangattock ridge was linked to
the canal at Llangattock wharf via a tram road. Lime processed in
lime kilns had a number of uses in 18th and 19th century households and
agriculture. It was widely by farmers to sweeten the soil and many a home
owner would use it to whitewash the outside of their house. In
addition it was an essential ingredient in the iron making process. Tram
roads linked the canal with the iron works in the Clydach Gorge (at
Gilwern) and with the Garnddyrys iron works (at Llanfoist) on the slopes
of the Blorenge.
Today the Llangattock escarpment is a
favourite locality with cavers from across Europe.
There has been no quarrying on this escarpment for
nearly 60 years and nature has largely reclaimed the landscape as its own.
The quarrying
process in effect sectioned the cliff face and in so
doing uncovered an entrance to one
of the longest cave systems in the United Kingdom with over 12 miles of
passages. The western section of the escarpment is now designated as the
Craig Y Cilau National Nature Reserve. |
