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Survey Details for CYNONHL701 - 2026-06-04

CYNONHL701

Historic Landscape

Rhymney Valley

Bridgend-Caerphilly-Rhondda

2017-03-15

  • Level 1: Built environment
  • Level 2: Settlement
  • Level 3: Other Settlement

Monitoring

Q1 - Date of monitoring?

  • 2017-03-15

Q1a - Monitoring undertaken by

  • Historic Landscape change detection work completed by the relevant Welsh Archaeological Trust for this area, the planning authority have been included. Quality Assurance of change detection work was completed by Trysor. SmartData analysis and update using Designated Historic Asset GIS Data for questions 17, 18, 19, 20 (2025-2026)

Q1b - Has this record been updated following monitoring work?

  • This record remains unchanged following monitoring work

Q1c - Change indicated by

  • No Answer

Q1d - What has changed?

  • No Answer

Q1e - Has the information ever been verified in the field?

  • Yes
    • Level 3/1:10,000 and 1:25,000

Q2 - Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area?

  • No

Description

Q3 - If Classification is "Other", specify here

  • Empty value

Q4 - Summary Description / Key Patterns and Elements

  • The longest transport and communication corridor within the region. The aspect area is characterised by heavy industrial activity and urban growth along the length of the valley, from Rhymney in the extreme north to Machen on the Gwent border to the south. The Rhymney Valley exhibits occupation evidence from the Neolithic through into the present and represents an important and historically significant aspect area. The prehistoric period is well represented; a neolithic polished flint axehead was found in 1966 at Machen and a rare Neolithic adze of Graig Lwyd origin was found in the fields on the east side of Pengam Station. Four flat Bronze Age axes were found during the making of the Rhymney Railway. During the medieval period Gwern-y-Domen Motte was constructed to the north of the relict post-medieval Gwern-y-Domen Farmstead. Several medieval fulling mills are known to have existed at Machen and Bedwas, attesting to the early industrial activity along the valley. Bedwas fulling mill was leased in 1401-2, and again in 1417, but was ruinous by 1434 and Machen was the site of two medieval fulling mills, situated to the north-west of the village, powered by water from the River Rhymney. One is accounted for between 1314-1456/7. The second is mentioned only in 1387. St Barrwg''s, Bedwas, is a 13th/14th century medieval church with 19th century alterations. Many houses dating to the 17th to 19th centuries survive into the present; the agricultural landscape of the valley was predominantly enclosed to the south toward Bedwas and Machen, whilst to the north at Rhymney the landscape remained open moorland until the urbanisation of the 18th to 20th centuries. The Rhymny Valley was opened up by the ''Old Rhymney'' tramroad, engineered by George Overton in 1826, it ran for twenty two miles from the ironworks at Rhymney to Machen, a considerable achievement. Thirty years later the Rhymney Railway Company built a railway proper from the Rhymney Ironworks to the Hengoed junction of the Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford Railway (Barrie 1994, 87/8 and 117/8). Some smaller ironworks grew up along the valley, such as the Rudry Ironworks, as did mines such as Elliott Colliery. Numerous quarries litter the valley sides. The Rhymney Valley is now characterised by modern manufacturing instillations, relict and derelict railways; modern roads now replace the railways as the main communication medium.

Q5 - If working at level 3, the classification describes the dominant historic pattern, but which other patterns are important to the historical pattern of this area? (Tick all that apply)

  • Woodland
  • Water & Wetland
  • Extractive
  • Processing/Manufacturing
  • Communications
  • Recreational

Q6 - If working at level 4 ,which other 'details' are also significant to the historic character of this area? (Please tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q7 - If working at level 4 only, which building types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q8 - If working at level 4 only, which periods prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q9 - If working at level 4 only, which architectural types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q10 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional walling materials prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q11 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional roofing materials prevail in the area? (select up to three)

  • No Answer

Q12 - Which traditional boundary types prevail in the area?

  • Dry Stone Walls
  • Mortared Wall
  • Post & Wire Fence
  • Iron Railings

Q13 - What is the nature of any archaeological interest in the area?

  • Buildings & Structures
  • Industrial Archaeology

Q14 - Which chronological period is visually dominant in the area?

  • Post Medieval (1536+)
  • Industrial

Q15 - Is this a Historic Landscape Character Area (HLCA)? If yes, provide detail

  • No

Q16 - HLCA description url

  • No Answer

Q17 - Are there Scheduled Monuments here?

  • Yes

Q18 - Are there Listed Buildings here?

  • Yes
    • Number of Listed Buildings in this area: 74

Q19 - Are there Registered Historic Parks and Gardens here?

  • No
    • Checked January 2025, no change.

Q20 - Are there Conservation Areas here?

  • Yes
    • Checked and change updated January 2025.5 overlap(s)

Q20a - Are there Historic Battlefields here?

  • No Answer

Q21 - Are there World Heritage Sites here?

  • No

Q22 - Is this within a Registered Historic Landscape (RHL)?

  • No

Q22a - Registered Historic Landscape description

  • No Answer

Condition

Q23 - Unused

  • No Answer

Q24 - Condition:

  • Unassessed

Q25 - Trend:

  • Constant

Recommendations

Q26 - Existing management

  • Unassessed

Q27 - Management recommendations

  • Empty value

Q28 - Sector Adaptation Plan

  • Historic Environment and Climate Change in Wales Sector Adaptation Plan. https://cadw.gov.wales/sites/default/files/2020-02/Adaptation%20Plan%20-%20FINAL%20WEB%20-%20English%20%281%29.pdf Assessment of likely impacts of climate change on historic assets and significance p8-11. Buildings and Settlements p23 Marginal and upland p26 Marine and coastal p28 Rivers, canals and freshwater p30 Farmland p33 Woodland p36 Industrial landscapes p38 Designed landscapes, parks and gardens p40 Historic landscapes p42

Q29 - Unused

  • No Answer

Aspect Area Boundary

Q30 - To what level was this information site-surveyed?

  • Level 3

Q31 - At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise?

  • All

Q32 - What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary mapping?

  • OS Landline

Q33 - If OS Data was used, what was the scale?

  • 1:10,000 and 1:25,000

Q34 - What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries?

  • Urban development within the Rhymney valley. The aspect area follows the communication corridors of the A468, the A469 and the A4049.

Evaluation

Q35 - Evaluation Criteria: Integrity

  • High
    • The character of this area as an industrial settlement/transport corridor is well defined and visually coherent; modern housing estates, manufacturing facilities, industrial parks and disused railway lines represent the dominant features in this landscape; little evidence survives of the pre-1900 irregular fieldscape shown on the OS 1st edition map.

Q36 - Evaluation Criteria: Survival

  • High
    • In spite of the extensive industrial and urban development in this area during the 20th century, the archaeological record for this area remains reasonably diverse, with evidence of human activity dating back to the early prehistoric period, attested by a broad distribution of lithic finds dating back to the Neolithic period. Medieval settlement is evidenced by the church of St Barrwg's Bedwas, of pre-Conquest origin (GGAT PRN 01937m), the 12th century motte at Gwern-y-Domen (surviving in a partially truncated state) and the documented sites of several medieval fulling mills at Machen and Bedwas (GGAT PRN 01684m; 01678m). The function of this area as an important industrial communications corridor is evidenced by the remains of dismantled tramroads and railway lines, some of which have been built over by modern roads. 19th-20th century industrial remains are evidenced by numerous quarries and levels on the sides of the Rhymney valley, although most of the colliery sites have now been cleared and reclaimed; one of the few colliery buildings to have survived is the impressive ruined Bryngwyn Colliery engine house of 1868 (GGAT PRN 02046m).

Q37 - Evaluation Criteria: Condition

  • Moderate

Q38 - Evaluation Criteria: Rarity

  • High
    • One of several industrial settlement/transport corridors within the Caerphilly/RCT historic landscape (e.g. HL660; HL695).

Q39 - Evaluation Criteria: Potential

  • Outstanding
    • This area has not been covered by a detailed historic landscape characterisation; consequently there is significant potential for further research on this diverse multi-period landscape; a comprehensive assessment of the evidence for prehistoric settlement, suggested by the significant distribution of lithic finds recorded in this area, would be welcome. The medieval motte at Gwern-y-Domen has been surveyed by the RCAHMW but has yet to be systematically investigated (both in terms of documentary study and archaeological fieldwork). A comprehensive assessment of the surviving industrial remains within the aspect area is particularly desirable, in view of their vulnerability to modern development. The remains of the Bryngwyn Colliery engine house represent a site of unique historic importance and conservation of the surviving fabric and provision of visitor access and information is recommended.

Q40 - Evaluation Criteria: Overall Evaluation

  • High
    • Although the coherence of the aspect area has been significantly impacted by modern housing and industrial development, the Rhymney Valley remains a diverse, historically important communications corridor with evidence of human activity dating back to the Neolithic period.

Q41 - Justification of overall evaluation

  • Although the coherence of the aspect area has been significantly impacted by modern housing and industrial development, the Rhymney Valley remains a diverse, historically important communications corridor with evidence of human activity dating back to the Neolithic period.

Information Sources

Q42 - Sources and additional assessments

  • . Questions 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), 14/02/25, licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Living Heritage

Q43 - Are there any art/artistic expressions associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q44 - Are there any folklore/ legends associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q45 - Are there any events/traditions associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q46 - Are any famous people associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q47 - Are there any technical / scientific discoveries associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q48 - List of Historic Placenames

  • https://rcahmw.gov.uk/discover/list-of-historic-place-names/