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Introduction:
 This
is one of the most scenic canal routes in Britain. It runs for 32 miles (51.5 km)
through idyllic scenery in the National Park between Brecon and
Pontypool. It then continues to Newport. The canal was built between 1797
and 1812 to link Brecon with Newport and the Severn Estuary. Stone and processed lime from nearby quarries
was transported by tramway to the canal and then
by barge to Newport. At the time of the construction of
the canal roads were horrendously bad and transportation by water was the
cheapest and most efficient way to move goods. From Newport the lime would
be transported for sale in various markets often
overseas. A major tram road link existed between
the canal and the large limestone quarries at Trefil and Llangattock.
The Llangattock escarpment which
dominates the skyline in the Crickhowell locality of the National Park is
actually an extensive lime stone quarry which developed as a result of the
construction of the canal. Today part of it is designated as a special
site of scientific interest and it is the entrance to one of the most
challenging cave networks in Britain. The iron works in the Clydach gorge
transported its products along a tram road linked to the canal at Gilwern.
In the village of Talybont on Usk the ruins of the disused lime kilns
serve as a reminder of a time when the canal carried processed lime for
household and agricultural use.
The canal had fallen into disuse by the 1930s but has been gradually
restored by the British Waterways Board with support from the National
Park and others since 1968. the canal was reopened to
the public in 1970. The canal is now
used for informal recreation including
canoeing, fishing, walks along the towpath
(a section of the Taf
Trail
follows the canal bank for walkers only), and for canal boat holidays. the
full length of the canal towpath is a public footpath. During its passage through the National Park it features six locks and several public
houses are to be found adjacent to the canal enroute. there is a short tunnel through which the canal passes
near Talybont on Usk and visitor may find it entertaining when in the
vicinity of the tunnel to watch novice canal users negotiate their way
through. Stone bridges crossing the canal and a common and attractive
feature. There have also be few aqueducts one of the finest of which
is located 8200 m down stream from the canal lock adjacent to the minor
road B4558 at Cefn Brynich (SO 079274). There is an excellent view of this
aqueduct from the road bridge at this point on the aforementioned minor
road. The Monmouthshire and Brecon canal is a favourite location
for the Kingfisher to breed.
Anyone wanting to use their own boat or canoe should obtain a British Waterways licence from the British Waterway's board
canal office at Govilon Tel 01873-830328. Canoe's and canal boats can also be hired from various companies based at different
points along the canal including:
Theatre
Brycheiniog,
Canal Wharf Brecon, LD3 7EW
01874-611622
the one end of the canal in Brecon was chosen in the 1990s as
the location for a new theatre complex in Brecon. There is excellent car
parking for visitors to the theatre, a restaurant cafeteria is open throughout
the day, and there is a pleasant walk along the canal side.
Goytre Wharf:
Goytre Wharf is a picturesque eight acre site of over 200 years of industrial heritage. Located
on the the lower
section of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal as it follows the contours
of the Usk Valley within the
Brecon Beacons national Park. This is a unique
Waterside facility
open to the public offering opportunities to study,
information about the Canal, tourist attractions and a booking service for
canoe tours and a restaurant boat. The shop
sells crafts, souvenirs, books, there is a gallery of local paintings and other exhibitions. National parks information, confectionery and a coffee shop. You may follow a
route around the site taking in the children's play
area, a woodland walk, the aqueduct, and they walk around the
Marina.
Visits to Goytre Wharf include the lime kilns, the tram
road exhibition in the heritage centre, and see and feed the
extraordinary numbers of fish in the Marina. A day out for all to enjoy. It is located halfway between Pontypool and Abergavenny near the village of
Llanover on the A 4042 trunk road. Look for
the signs to Goytre Wharf and continue along a minor road for two miles until you see the
entrance.
- For further information telephone or write to: Brecon
and Abergavenny Canal Trust Goytre Wharf Heritage, Activity and Visitor
Centre, Llanover, NR Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 9EW Telephone
01873 -- 881069
Canal Tour and Holiday Companies:
-
Beacon Park Boats
-
Heritage Canoes - discover
the art of open canoeing on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (Tel. 01873-880661).
-
Redline Boats
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Dragonfly
Cruises On the Dragonfly you can spend a few hours cruising
through some of the most beautiful scenery in Britain. Travel on this
fantastic feat of engineering built over 200 years ago going through a
lock and over an aqueduct. This relaxing voyage is available to all and
also has limited wheelchair access.
Address:- Paris guesthouse, 28 Watton,
Brecon, Powys,
LD37EF Tel
07831685222 E Mail info@dragonfly-cruises.co.uk
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