10138 NPT Pontardawe guide - visitnpt.co.uk · 3 2 1 4 6 9 10 11 8 7 N/G 1/ 2 Mile/1/ 2Milltir 500...

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Only a five minute drive from the M4, Pontardawe provides fascinating reminders of a period when it was known as the ‘Capital of the Swansea Valley’. In what is a truly beautiful setting, with the Swansea Canal and River Tawe running nearby, there are ample opportunities to enjoy the lovely mountain scenery and wildlife. With its local shopping, pubs, arts, leisure facilities and annually every August, the famous Pontardawe Festival, Pontardawe has something for everyone – a classic example of a Welsh Valleys town which is shaping a bright and sustainable future for itself. Ar ôl taith o bum munud yn y car o'r M4, fe ddewch i Bontardawe sy’n fan i’ch atgoffa o’r cyfnod pan oedd yn cael ei alw’n ‘Brifddinas Cwm Tawe’. Mae’n lleoliad gwirioneddol hardd, gyda Chamlas Abertawe ac Afon Tawe’n llifo gerllaw, a llu o gyfleoedd i fwynhau harddwch y mynyddoedd a’r bywyd gwyllt. Mae gan Bontardawe rywbeth i’w gynnig i bawb, o’i siopau, ei thafarnau, ei chyfleusterau celfyddydol a hamdden a phob blwyddyn, ym mis Awst, yr ˆ Wyl enwog. Mae’n enghraifft glasurol o dref yng Nghymoedd De Cymru sydd wrthi’n ffurfio dyfodol llachar a chynaliadwy iddo’i hun. Dyma Bontardawe Key/Allwedd Herbert Street/Stryd Herbert Arts Centre/Canolfan Celfyddydau Swansea Canal/Camlas Abertawe Riverside Park/Parc Glan yr Afon Llangiwg Church/Eglwys Llangiwg St. Peter’s Church/Eglwys San Pedr Gwenallt’s birth place/Man geni Gwenallt Cwm Du Glen/Cwm Du Pontardawe Golf Course/Cwrs Golff Pontardawe Cycle route 43/Llwybr beicio 43 Swimming pool/Pwll nofio Leisure Centre/Canolfan Hamdden Bus stop/Arhosfan bysiau 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 5 3 2 1 4 6 9 10 11 8 7 N/G 1 /2 Mile/ 1 /2Milltir 500 metres/500 metr 12 B4603 B4603 B4603 A474 A474 A474 A474 A474 A474 River Tawe River Tawe Afon Tawe Afon Tawe River Tawe Afon Tawe d yda d To Brecon To Brecon I Aberhonddu I Aberhonddu To Brecon I Aberhonddu Ynysmeudwy Ynysmeudwy Ynysmeudwy To Ammanford To Ammanford I Rydaman I Rydaman To Ammanford I Rydaman To Clydach To Clydach I Glydach I Glydach To Clydach I Glydach Your guide to Pontardawe Cwm Du Pontardawe A474 A474 A474 A4067 A4067 A4067 How to get there Sut i fynd yno A465 A465 A465 A4067 A4067 A4067 A474 A474 A474 M4 M4 M4 A48 A48 A48 A4109 A4109 A4109 Neath Castell-nedd Swansea Abertawe Port Talbot A474 A474 A474 A4067 A4067 A4067 A4067 A4067 A4067 A4068 A4068 A4068 A483 A483 A483 Ammanford Rhydaman A474 A474 A474 Jct43 Jct45 Pontardawe Cronfa Amaethyddol Ewrop ar gyfer Datblygu Gwledig: Ewrop yn Buddsoddi mewn Ardaloedd Gwledig The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe Investing in Rural Areas For public transport information call 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.traveline.info Information is also available from www.baytrans.co.uk I gael gwybodaeth am gludiant cyhoeddus ffoniwch 0871 200 22 33 neu ewch i www.traveline.info Mae gwybodaeth ar gael hefyd ar www.baytrans.co.uk For more information on things to do and places to stay call the Tourist information Centre on 01639 636674. Am ragor o wybodaeth ar bethau i’w gwneud a llefydd i aros ffoniwch y Ganolfan Dwristiaid ar 01639 636674. Disclaimer The information contained in this brochure has been published in good faith on the basis of details supplied to the Tourism Team. Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council cannot guarantee the accuracy of and accepts no responsibility for any errors in this brochure. Please check and confirm all information before booking or travelling. Gwadiad Mae’r wybodaeth yn y daflen hon wedi ei chyhoeddi yn ddidwyll ar sail y manylion gafodd eu darparu gan y Tîm Twristiaeth. Nid yw Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Castell-nedd Port Talbot yn gallu gwarantu cywirdeb y daflen ac nid yw’n derbyn unrhyw gyfrifoldeb dros unrhyw gamsyniadau ynddo. Gwiriwch a chadarnhau unrhyw wybodaeth cyn archebu lle neu deithio. Designed by Ridler Webster 01792 582100 For further information on the Pontardawe area, look out for this leaflet. I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am Bontardawe, ceisiwch y daflen hon. Dyma Bontardawe www.visitnpt.co.uk Your guide to Pontardawe STRY D JA M E S J A M E S S T R E E T STRYD FAWR HIGH STREET STRYD HERBERT H ERBERT STREET

Transcript of 10138 NPT Pontardawe guide - visitnpt.co.uk · 3 2 1 4 6 9 10 11 8 7 N/G 1/ 2 Mile/1/ 2Milltir 500...

Page 1: 10138 NPT Pontardawe guide - visitnpt.co.uk · 3 2 1 4 6 9 10 11 8 7 N/G 1/ 2 Mile/1/ 2Milltir 500 metres/500 metr 12 A474 A4068 A4067 B4603BB46034603 A474AA47447 A4068 A4067 B4603

Only a five minute drive from the M4, Pontardaweprovides fascinating reminders of a period when itwas known as the ‘Capital of the Swansea Valley’. In what is a truly beautiful setting, with theSwansea Canal and River Tawe running nearby,there are ample opportunities to enjoy the lovelymountain scenery and wildlife. With its localshopping, pubs, arts, leisure facilities and annuallyevery August, the famous Pontardawe Festival,Pontardawe has something for everyone – a classicexample of a Welsh Valleys town which is shaping a bright and sustainable future for itself.

Ar ôl taith o bum munud yn y car o'r M4, fe ddewch i Bontardawe sy’n fan i’ch atgoffa o’r cyfnod pan oedd yn cael ei alw’n ‘Brifddinas Cwm Tawe’. Mae’n lleoliad gwirioneddol hardd, gyda ChamlasAbertawe ac Afon Tawe’n llifo gerllaw, a llu ogyfleoedd i fwynhau harddwch y mynyddoedd a’rbywyd gwyllt. Mae gan Bontardawe rywbeth i’w gynnigi bawb, o’i siopau, ei thafarnau, ei chyfleusteraucelfyddydol a hamdden a phob blwyddyn, ym misAwst, yr Wyl enwog. Mae’n enghraifft glasurol o drefyng Nghymoedd De Cymru sydd wrthi’n ffurfio dyfodolllachar a chynaliadwy iddo’i hun.

Dyma Bontardawe

Key/AllweddHerbert Street/Stryd HerbertArts Centre/Canolfan CelfyddydauSwansea Canal/Camlas AbertaweRiverside Park/Parc Glan yr AfonLlangiwg Church/Eglwys LlangiwgSt. Peter’s Church/Eglwys San PedrGwenallt’s birth place/Man geni GwenalltCwm Du Glen/Cwm DuPontardawe Golf Course/Cwrs Golff PontardaweCycle route 43/Llwybr beicio 43Swimming pool/Pwll nofioLeisure Centre/Canolfan HamddenBus stop/Arhosfan bysiau

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Your guide to Pontardawe

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Pontardawe

Cronfa Amaethyddol Ewrop ar gyfer Datblygu Gwledig: Ewrop yn Buddsoddimewn Ardaloedd Gwledig

The European Agricultural Fund forRural Development: Europe Investing in Rural Areas

For public transport information call 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.traveline.infoInformation is also available from www.baytrans.co.ukI gael gwybodaeth am gludiant cyhoeddus ffoniwch 0871 200 22 33 neu ewch i www.traveline.infoMae gwybodaeth ar gael hefyd ar www.baytrans.co.uk

For more information on things to do and places to staycall the Tourist information Centre on 01639 636674.Am ragor o wybodaeth ar bethau i’w gwneud a llefydd i aros ffoniwch y Ganolfan Dwristiaid ar 01639 636674.

DisclaimerThe information contained in this brochure has been published ingood faith on the basis of details supplied to the Tourism Team.Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council cannot guarantee theaccuracy of and accepts no responsibility for any errors in thisbrochure. Please check and confirm all information before bookingor travelling.

GwadiadMae’r wybodaeth yn y daflen hon wedi ei chyhoeddi yn ddidwyll ar sail y manylion gafodd eudarparu gan y Tîm Twristiaeth. Nid yw Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Castell-nedd Port Talbot yn gallugwarantu cywirdeb y daflen ac nid yw’n derbyn unrhyw gyfrifoldeb dros unrhyw gamsyniadauynddo. Gwiriwch a chadarnhau unrhyw wybodaeth cyn archebu lle neu deithio.

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I gael rhagor o wybodaetham Bontardawe, ceisiwchy daflen hon.

Dyma

Bontardawe

www.visitnpt.co.uk

Your guide to

Pontardawe

STRYDJAM

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STRYD HERBERT HERBERT STREET

Page 2: 10138 NPT Pontardawe guide - visitnpt.co.uk · 3 2 1 4 6 9 10 11 8 7 N/G 1/ 2 Mile/1/ 2Milltir 500 metres/500 metr 12 A474 A4068 A4067 B4603BB46034603 A474AA47447 A4068 A4067 B4603

What’s in a name?Welsh place names often have interesting meanings. In thecase of Pontardawe, the name means the Bridge on the Tawe– visitors to the area can still see both: the scenic River Taweand a stone bridge built in 1757 can be viewed at thePontardawe Inn (known locally as the Gwachel). A cycle trackruns past here – so a useful drinking hole when cycling.

At low water, wooden uprights of the original river crossing arevisible. Visitors who venture down river from the PontardaweInn enjoy lovely river scenes and a nice place to have a picnic.

Herbert StreetThe shopping areas of Pontardawe run in four directions fromPontardawe Cross down Herbert Street, James Street, HighStreet and Swansea Road. Herbert Street, the main shoppingstreet, has a variety of local businesses, restaurants and pubs,all of which are welcoming. You might also be lucky enough to hear some free live music in some of these establishments.In August you can also watch the Pontardawe festival paradepass through the town. A small walkway, at the location of aformer cinema, leads from the busy street to a bridge over theRiver Clydach and to a convenient free car park.

Pontardawe Arts CentreAt the centre of Herbert Street, in what is the town’s formerPublic Hall, there is a beautifully restored theatre which wasopened by opera diva Adelina Patti in 1909. The 450 seattheatre presents a wide variety of shows from classical musicto drama and dance. The Centre also houses a cinema,showing both popular and classic films, an art gallery andmeeting rooms. The Centre’s friendly staff are more thanhappy to assist with enquiries and bookings. To book tickets,and receive information call the box office on 01792 863722(Monday – Friday, 12pm - 8pm, or Saturday from 1 hourprior to performances). www.pontardaweartscentre.com

Swansea CanalThe 16-mile long Swansea Canal was constructed from 1794-1798 for the transportation of coal. It linked the head ofthe Swansea Valley to Swansea Docks located in Swansea Citycentre. The period 1830-40 saw the development of townsaround the canal such as Pontardawe, Ynysmeudwy andYstalyfera. The canal remained very busy until the early 20th Century, with 400,000 tons of coal being carried toSwansea in 1888 alone. The last commercial cargo carried onthe Canal was in 1931 when coal was taken from Clydach toSwansea. Today, five miles of the canal remain in water, onesection of which can be seen in Herbert Street, near PontardaweCross. The canal is a haven for wildlife and is ideal for apleasant walk along the canal towpath with fine views acrossthe Swansea Valley. For more information on the canal pleasepick up the Swansea Canal leaflet for Ynysmeudwy –Pontardawe.

Riverside ParkThis recreational area, in a pretty setting between the River Tawe and the Swansea Canal, is just a short walk fromthe centre of Pontardawe and the village of Ynysmeudwy. The Riverside Centre sports a newly unveiled mural madefrom recently discovered shards of pottery from the famousYnysmeudwy Pottery. It is linked to easy walks along thecanal and river and access to the national cycle route is also possible.

Llangiwg ChurchLocated high on the steep valley slopes above Pontardawe,Llangiwg Church is of ancient Welsh Celtic origin. ‘Llan’ isfrequently seen in Welsh place names and means either ‘theChurch of’ or ‘the sacred land of’ – followed by the name of a holy person from the Age of Saints. Llangiwg Church isnamed after Ciwg the Confessor, a 6th Century saint whobrought Christianity into the area between AD 542 and 568.

It is thought that the first church on the site would have beenbuilt as early as the 6th Century, and replaced by a stonechurch probably during the Norman period. What can be seentoday is largely the result of restoration in 1812. The surviving13th Century Norman tower is believed to be its oldest part,but it is suggested that a rare ‘leper’s window’ may indicatethat the east wall is even pre-Norman. The building wasGrade 2 listed by Welsh heritage agency CADW in 2003.

As industrial development led to the growth of towns on the valley floor, Llangiwg Church became increasinglyinconvenient for worshippers. The result was the building ofthe prominent St Peter’s Church in the centre of Pontardawe.

Pontardawe Golf ClubPontardawe Golf Course is situated in a wonderful setting,with panoramic views including the Brecon Beacons and thevalleys all the way down to Swansea Bay.

Each of the 18 holes offers something different to the golfer,and is a good test for all standards. A very warm welcomecan be found at the clubhouse with facilities available forMembers & non Members alike. Please visit the website atwww.pontardawegolfclub.co.uk for further information.

National Cycle Route 43A signed 13-mile traffic-free section of this cycleroute links Swansea city centre to Ystalyfera,passing through Pontardawe. Cyclists can enjoy lovely river views along the way. Otters, kingfishers and dippers all inhabit thissection of the river. This is also a lovely linearroute to walk. For more information, see ourTop 10 Walks leaflet available to view online or available as a hard copy from our TIC (Tourist Information Centre) in Aberdulais Falls.

Pontardawe Leisure Centre and Swimming PoolFor visitors who would like to keep fit, or those who are justlooking to put the kids’ energy to good use, PontardaweLeisure Centre provides a range of activities. It is locatedclose to the River Tawe (see map). Pontardawe SwimmingPool, in the King George V Park at the centre of Pontardawe,has a 25 meter pool along with an extremely popularseparate pool for youngsters.

Beth am yr enw?Mae gan enwau llefydd Cymraeg ystyron diddorol yn aml iawn.Mae ystyr Pontardawe’n amlwg, sef y Bont dros yr afon Tawe -ac mae modd i ymwelwyr weld yr afon hardd a phont garreg a godwyd ym 1757 o dafarn y Gwachel (y Pontardawe Inn). Mae llwybr beicio’n mynd heibio’r dafarn, felly mae’n fandefnyddiol i gael lluniaeth wrth feicio.

Pan fydd yr afon yn isel, mae modd gweld pyst pren y bontwreiddiol. Mae ymwelwyr sy’n mentro i lawr yr afon o’r Gwachelyn gallu mwynhau golygfeydd hardd o’r afon a lle braf i gaelpicnic.

Stryd HerbertMae ardal siopa Pontardawe yn mynd i bedwar cyfeiriad oGroes Pontardawe i lawr Stryd Herbert, Stryd James, y StrydFawr a Heol Abertawe. Mae amryw o fusnesau lleol, bwytai athafarnau yn Stryd Herbert, y brif stryd siopa ac mae croesocynnes ym mhob un ohonynt. Efallai y byddwch yn ddigonffodus i glywed cerddoriaeth fyw yn rhai o’r sefydliadau hyn. Ac ym mis Awst, gallwch wylio gorymdaith Gwyl Pontardawe ynmynd drwy’r dref. Mae llwybr troed bychan, lle unwaith roedd y sinema leol, yn arwain o’r stryd brysur at bont dros AfonClydach ac i faes parcio di-dâl hwylus.

Canolfan Celfyddydau PontardaweAr ganol Stryd Herbert, yn yr adeilad oedd gynt yn NeuaddGyhoeddus y dref, mae theatr sydd wedi ei hadnewyddu’nwych a gafodd ei hagor gan y gantores opera Adelina Patti ym1909. Mae’r theatr, sy’n eistedd 450, yn cyflwyno amrywiaetheang o sioeau o gerddoriaeth glasurol i ddrama a dawns. Maesinema yn y Ganolfan hefyd, sy’n dangos ffilmiau poblogaidd

a rhai clasurol, ac mae oriel gelf ac ystafelloedd cyfarfod ynohefyd. Mae staff cyfeillgar y Ganolfan yn falch iawn i helpugydag ymholiadau ac archebion. I archebu tocynnau ac idderbyn gwybodaeth ffoniwch y swyddfa docynnau ar 01792 863722 (Llun - Gwener, 12pm - 8pm neu ar y Sadwrn o 1 awr cyn y perfformiad). www.pontardaweartscentre.com

Camlas AbertaweMae Camlas Abertawe’n rhedeg am 16 milltir a chafodd eihadeiladu rhwng 1794 a 1798 er mwyn cludo glo. Roedd yncysylltu pen Cwm Tawe a Dociau Abertawe yng nghanol dinasAbertawe. Yn ystod y cyfnod o 1830 i 1840 gwelwyd datblygutrefi o gwmpas y gamlas megis Pontardawe, Ynysmeudwy acYstalyfera. Roedd y gamlas yn dal i fod yn brysur iawn tan yngynnar yn yr 20fed Ganrif, gyda 400,000 tunnell o lo’n cael eigario i Abertawe ym 1888 yn unig. Cafodd y llwyth masnachololaf ei gludo ar hyd y Gamlas ym 1931 pan gludwyd glo oGlydach i Abertawe. Heddiw, pum milltir o’r gamlas sy’n dal âdwr, ac mae un adran o hon i’w gweld yn Herbert Street, gerCroes Pontardawe. Mae’r gamlas yn hafan i fywyd gwyllt ac ynddelfrydol i fynd am dro braf ar hyd llwybr y gamlas gydagolygfeydd braf ar draws Cwm Tawe. Am ragor o wybodaeth ar y gamlas, mynnwch y daflen ar Gamlas Abertawe ar gyferYnysmeudwy - Pontardawe.

Parc Glan yr AfonMae’r ardal hamddena hon, mewn lleoliad tlws rhwng AfonTawe a Chamlas Abertawe, yn daith gerdded fer o ganolPontardawe a phentref Ynysmeudwy. Mae murlun newydd eiddadorchuddio yng Nghanolfan Glan yr Afon wedi ei greu oddarnau o grochenwaith gafodd eu canfod yn ddiweddar a’ucreu yng Nghrochenwaith enwog Ynysmeudwy. Mae’n cysylltuâ theithiau cerdded hawdd ar hyd y gamlas a’r afon ac maemodd mynd o’r parc i’r llwybr beicio cenedlaethol hefyd.

Eglwys LlangiwgMae gwreiddiau Eglwys Llangiwg, sydd wedi’i chodi ar lethrauserth y cwm uwchben Pontardawe, yn mynd yn ôl i gyfnod yCeltiaid yng Nghymru. Mae ‘Llan’ yn cael ei weld yn amlmewn enwau llefydd yng Nghymru a’r ystyr yw naill ai‘Eglwys’ neu ‘dir sanctaidd’ o eiddo’r person sanctaidd o Oes y Seintiau sy’n rhan o’r enw. Mae eglwys Llangiwg wedi’ihenwi ar ôl Ciwg y Cyffeswr, sant o’r 6ed Ganrif a ddaeth â Christnogaeth i’r ardal rhwng 542 a 568 OC.

Credir y byddai'r eglwys gyntaf ar y safle wedi cael ei hadeiladumor gynnar â’r 6ed Ganrif, a’i disodli gan eglwys garreg fwy nathebyg yn ystod cyfnod y Normaniaid. Mae’r eglwys a welirheddiw’n bennaf yn ganlyniad i adnewyddu ym 1812. Credirmai’r Twr Normanaidd o’r 13 Ganrif yw’r rhan hynaf sy’ngoroesi, ond awgrymir y gallai ‘ffenestr gwahanglwyf’ brinddynodi fod y mur dwyreiniol yn dyddio hyd yn oed cyn cyfnody Normaniaid. Cafodd yr adeilad ei restru yn adeilad Gradd 2gan asiantaeth treftadaeth Cymru, CADW, yn 2003.

Wrth i’r datblygiad diwydiannol arwain at dwf y trefi ar lawr y dyffryn, daeth Eglwys Llangiwg yn fwyfwy anghyfleus i addolwyr. Canlyniad hyn oedd adeiladu eglwys San Pedrmewn man amlwg yng nghanol Pontardawe. Caewyd yrEglwys ar ddiwedd 2001. Yn 2003 fe wnaeth ffrindiauLlangiwg, sef cymdeithas gymunedol wirfoddol leol, brynu'radeilad. Heddiw, mae digwyddiadau yn cael eu cynnal yno drwy'r flwyddyn.

Eglwys San PedrAdeiladwyd Eglwys San Pedr yn yr arddull neo-Gothig ym1862, a thalwyd am y gwaith gan y diwydiannwr lleolWilliam Parsons yn ystod twf cyflym y dref fel canolfanmetel a chloddio glo. Gyda’i dwr 200 troedfedd, mae adeiladyr Eglwys yng Nghymru yn sefyll allan fel tirnod amlwg ynlleol, yn edrych i lawr dros y dref.

CapeliMae nifer o gapeli anghydffurfiol Cymraeg ym Mhontardawe.Maen nhw’n adlewyrchu pa mor gryf y tyfodd yr enwadaucrefyddol, megis y Bedyddwyr, yr Annibynwyr a’rPresbyteriaid, pan gafwyd cynnydd mawr ym mhoblogaeth y dref yn sgil diwydiannaeth. Yn eu plith mae Soar, capel yPresbyteriaid a adeiladwyd ym 1866 ac sy’n agos i GanolfanCelfyddydau Pontardawe, a’r Tabernacl, capel yr Annibynwyr,

Cwm DuMae’r dyffryn coediog hyfryd hwn sy’n arwain o’r Groes yngnghanol Pontardawe yn cynnig taith gerdded braf ar hyd nantClydach a thrwy Blanhigfa Glanrhyd. Roedd y Blanhigfa unwaithyn rhan o dir Ty Glanrhyd sydd bellach yn adfail. Cafodd y tygwych ei adeiladu gan ddiwydiannwr lleol, Arthur Gilbertson, ym 1878. Cafodd ei ddefnyddio fel ysbyty yn ystod y Rhyfel BydCyntaf, a chafodd ei ddymchwel ym 1968. Erbyn hyn mae CwmDu’n cael ei ddefnyddio gan bobl Pontardawe fel man heddychlona hardd i fynd i gerdded. Sylwer: Mae gwaith adnewyddu’n cael eiwneud yn yr ardal hon ar hyn o bryd ac mae darnau o’r daithgerdded ar gau i ymwelwyr; bydd yn ail-agor yn yr haf 2010.

Clwb Golff PontardaweMae Cwrs Golff Pontardawe mewn lle hyfryd, gyda golygfeyddpanoramig yn cynnwys Bannau Brycheiniog a’r dyffrynnoeddar hyd y ffordd i lawr i Fae Abertawe.

Mae gan bob un o’r deunaw twll rywbeth gwahanol i’w gynnig i’rchwaraewr, ac mae’n brawf da i golffwyr o bob safon. Mae croesocynnes i bawb yn y ty clwb gyda chyfleusterau ar gael i Aelodau arhai nad ydynt yn Aelodau fel ei gilydd. Ewch i’r wefanwww.pontardawegolfclub.co.uk i gael rhagor o wybodaeth.

Llwybr Feicio Genedlaethol 43Mae rhan o’r llwybr beicio hwn, tair milltir arddeg gydag arwyddion, yn cysylltu canol dinasAbertawe ag Ystalyfera, gan fynd drwyBontardawe. Gall beicwyr fwynhau golygfeyddhardd ar hyd yr afon wrth deithio ar hyd yllwybr. Mae dyfrgwn, glas y dorlan a throchwyr i gyd yn byw yn y rhan hon o’r afon. Mae llwybrllinol braf hefyd i gerdded ar hyd-ddo. Am ragoro wybodaeth, gweler ein taflen Deg Taith Gerdded Orau syddar gael ar-lein neu fel copi caled o’n Canolfan Wybodaeth i Dwristiaid yn Rhaeadr Aberdulais.

Canolfan Hamdden a Phwll Nofio PontardaweI ymwelwyr sydd am gadw’n heini, neu i’r rhai sy’n chwilioam rywle i ddefnyddio egni’r plant, mae Canolfan HamddenPontardawe yn cynnig amrywiaeth eang o weithgareddau.Mae’n agos at Afon Tawe (gweler y map). Mae pwll nofio 25 metr a phwll ar wahân i blant, sy’n boblogaidd iawn, ym Mhwll Nofio Pontardawe, sydd ym Mharc y Brenin Siôr V yng nghanol Pontardawe.

The church was closed at the end of 2001. In 2003 thebuilding was purchased by the Friends of Llangiwg, a localvoluntary community organisation. Today, events are held at Llangiwg throughout the year.

St Peter’s ChurchBuilt in Gothic Revival Style in 1862, the construction ofSt Peter’s Church was financed by local industrialist WilliamParsons during the town’s rapid growth as a metal and coalmining centre. With its 200ft high tower, the Church in Walesbuilding stands out as a striking local landmark, toweringover the town.

ChapelsPontardawe has a number of Welsh language Nonconformistchapels. They reflect how strong religious denominations,such as the Baptists, Independents and Presbyteriansbecame when industrialisation boosted the population ofthe town. Among them are Soar Presbyterian chapel built in 1866 which is near the Pontardawe Arts Centre, andTabernacle Independent chapel, built in 1880 in ThomasStreet. The chapels were centres not only of religious life but also of vibrant working class cultural life. There werefrequent choir concerts and Welsh eisteddfodau whichfeatured competitions of singing, recitation and poetry. Just off the map, located in a remote site high on GellionnenMountain to the west of Pontardawe, is the prettyGellionnen Chapel. The building dates back to 1802, butsections may be as old as 1692. Gellionnen is unusual as itscongregation belongs to the less well-known Unitarian faith.

Llangiwg Church

Eglwys Llangiwg

Swansea Canal

Camlas Abertawe

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Birthplace of Welsh IconsDavid James Jones whose bardic title was Gwenallt, was born in Pontardawe in 1899 and died in 1968. A plaque in hismemory can be seen on the exterior wall of his birthplacenear The Cross. Gwenallt’s first teacher in Welsh poetry was hisown father who was later killed in an accident at a local steelworks. Having been imprisoned for his pacifist beliefs duringthe First World War, Gwenallt attained national acclaim bywinning the Chair at the National Eisteddfod at Swansea in1926 and again at the Bangor National Eisteddfod in 1931.Below is an example of one of Gwenallt’s poems ‘Rygbi’(Rugby) from the book Eples (pub. Gwasg Gomer).

RYGBI

Nid pentref ar fap Cymru oedd yr Allt-wen,

Nid oedd gan weithwyr wlad na phroletariat ffin,

Addolem ar ein deulin y fflam ar ben y stac, -

Fflam cyfiawnder byd a brawdoliaeth dyn.

Breuddwydiem drwy’r wythnos am wyl y Crysau Coch,

A dyfod yn Sant Helen wyneb-yn-wyneb â’r Sais,

A gwallgofi pan giciai Bancroft ei gôl Gymreig

A sgorio o Dici Owen ei genedlaethol gais.

(The poem refers to the early 20th Century – to internationalsocialism, to the popularity of rugby and to two of Wales’biggest rugby stars of that age.)

Another iconic personality from Pontardawe is Mary Hopkin.Born in 1950 she released an album of folk songs in Welshwith local record label Cambrian Records. She was thensigned to the Beatles’ Apple record label, recording hits suchas ‘Those Were the Days’ produced by Paul McCartney.

Cwm Du GlenThis lovely wooded valley leading from The Cross at thecentre of Pontardawe has a beautiful walk along the Clydachstream through the Glanrhyd Plantation. The Plantation wasonce in the grounds of Glanrhyd House which is now inruins. The fine house was built by local industrialist ArthurGilbertson in 1878. It was used as a hospital during the FirstWorld War and was demolished in 1968. Now Cwm Du Glenis used by the people of Pontardawe as a tranquil andbeautiful place to walk. Please note: This area is undergoingregeneration work at present and sections of the walk areclosed to visitors and will re open in summer 2010.

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Pontardawe Arts Centre

Canolfan Celfyddydau Pontardawe

Golf Club

Clwb Golff

Riverside Park

Parc Glan yr Afon

a adeiladwyd ym 1880 yn Stryd Thomas. Roedd y capeli'nganolfannau i fywyd diwyllianol bywiog y dosbarth gweithiol.Cynhelid cyngherddau corawl mynych ac eisteddfodauCymraeg oedd yn cynnwys cystadlaethau canu, adrodd abarddoniaeth. Ychydig oddi ar y map, mewn man anghysbellyn uchel ar Fynydd Gellionnen i’r gorllewin o Bontardawe,mae capel tlws Gellionnen. Mae’r adeilad yn dyddio’n ôl i 1802, ond gall rhai rhannau fod mor hen â 1692. Mae Gellionnen yn anarferol gan mai aelodau o enwad llaiadnabyddus yr Undodiaid yw’r gynulleidfa.

Man Geni rhai o Eiconau CymruCafodd David James Jones, neu Gwenallt yn ôl ei enw barddol, eieni ym Mhontardawe ym 1899 a bu farw ym 1968. Mae plac ercof amdano i’w weld ar wal allanol ei fan geni yn agos i’r Groes.Athro barddoniaeth Cymraeg cyntaf Gwenallt oedd ei dad eihun, gafodd ei ladd yn ddiweddarach mewn damwain mewngwaith dur lleol. Cafodd Gwenallt ei garcharu am fod ynheddychwr yn ystod y Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf, a chafodd glodcenedlaethol pan enillodd y Gadair yn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaetholyn Abertawe ym 1926 ac unwaith eto yn Eisteddfod GenedlaetholBangor ym 1931. Isod mae enghraifft o un o gerddi Gwenallt‘Rygbi’ o’r llyfr Eples a gyhoeddwyd gan Wasg Gomer.

RYGBI

Nid pentref ar fap Cymru oedd yr Allt-wen,

Nid oedd gan weithwyr wlad na phroletariat ffin,

Addolem ar ein deulin y fflam ar ben y stac, -

Fflam cyfiawnder byd a brawdoliaeth dyn.

Breuddwydiem drwy’r wythnos am wyl y Crysau Coch,

A dyfod yn Sant Helen wyneb-yn-wyneb â’r Sais,

A gwallgofi pan giciai Bancroft ei gôl Gymreig

A sgorio o Dici Owen ei genedlaethol gais.

(Mae’r gerdd yn cyfeirio at ddechrau’r 20fed Ganrif - atsosialaeth ryngwladol, at boblogrwydd rygbi ac at ddau o sêrrygbi mwyaf Cymru yn y cyfnod hwnnw.)

Eicon arall o Bontardawe yw Mary Hopkin. Fe’i ganed ym 1950 achyhoeddodd albwm o ganeuon gwerin yn Gymraeg gyda’r cwmnirecordio lleol Recordiau Cambrian. Cafodd ei derbyn wedyn arlabel recordio’r Beatles, Apple, gan recordio caneuon llwyddiannusfel ‘Those Were the Days’ a gynhyrchwyd gan Paul McCartney.