Garnddyrys Forge facts for kids
Remains of the ironworks and tramroad
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 Location in Monmouthshire
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| Operated | 1817–61 |
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| Coordinates | 51°48′05″N 3°04′37″W / 51.801423°N 3.0769175°W |
| Industry | Iron foundry |
| Products | Wrought iron |
Garnddyrys Forge was an important iron factory in Wales that operated from about 1817 to 1860. It was located about 3 kilometers (2 miles) north of Blaenavon. This factory was built along a special railway line called a tramroad, which connected Blaenavon to the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal.
At one point, around 450 people lived and worked near the ironworks. However, the factory became isolated when a new railway line was built that didn't pass through Garnddyrys. Because of this, the forge was eventually abandoned. Even though you can't see much of it today, the site is very important for archaeologists because it's so well-preserved.
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Garnddyrys Forge: An Old Iron Factory
Garnddyrys Forge was a place where iron was made. It started operating in 1817 and closed in 1860. This factory was very important during its time, helping to produce a lot of iron for different uses.
Building the Forge and Tramroad
Around 1815, there was a big demand for iron, partly because of the Napoleonic Wars. To meet this need, Thomas Hill II, who managed the Blaenavon Ironworks, decided to build a special railway. This railway was called Hill's Tramroad. It helped transport materials like iron and coal.
The tramroad connected Blaenavon to a place called Llanfoist Wharf. This wharf was on the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal, which was like a highway for boats. The tramroad also went through the Garnddyrys site, even passing through a tunnel there. It brought cast iron from Blaenavon and took finished iron from the forge to the canal.
Thomas Hill II built Garnddyrys Forge between 1816 and 1817. Building a new iron factory at that time was a bit unusual because the market for iron was not very strong. To make the tramroad easier to use, a new, less steep path was planned. This new path included extending an old mine tunnel through a hill to Pwll Du.
Life and Closure at Garnddyrys
By the 1840s, a small community had grown around Garnddyrys Forge. About 450 people lived there, working at the factory or in related jobs.
However, things changed in 1854. A new railway line reached Blaenavon, making Garnddyrys less important for transporting goods. Because of this, a new forge, called Forgeside, was built closer to the new railway in Blaenavon.
In 1860, the Garnddyrys works finally closed down. The machinery and operations were moved to the new Forgeside location in Blaenavon. The northern part of the tunnel at Pwll Du, which was part of the old tramroad, was also closed.
What Remains Today
After it closed, the Garnddyrys site was left abandoned. This is why it's so important for archaeologists today. It's a very well-preserved example of an early 19th-century iron forge.
In 1970, archaeologists dug up the foundations of the houses where the workers used to live. The site still shows signs of two reservoirs, which would have powered waterwheels. You can also see the places where the workers' houses once stood. It's like a time capsule, showing us how people lived and worked long ago.
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