NEATH ABBEY IRONWORKS;RIVERSIDE WORKS, NEATH ABBEY
Site Details
- NPRN
- 85096
- Map Reference
- SS79NW
- Grid Reference
- SS73809773
- Unitary (Local) Authority
- Neath, Port Talbot
- Old County
- Glamorgan
- Community
- Dyffryn Clydach
- Type of Site
- IRON WORKS
- Broad Class
- Industrial
- Period
- Post Medieval;18th Century
Site Description
Neath Abbey Ironworks was established in the eighteenth century. There are several notable surviving structures including two superb blast furnaces (nprn 85098) dating from l793 built against a rock face for ease of charging, Ty Mawr, the ironmaster's house of l80l and the engine manufactory (nprn 85097). Higher up the Clydach valley is a former water-powered forge (nprn 40458) with an iron roof cast at the works in l825. The building was later used as a woollen mill (nprn 96478; machinery was removed to the former Swansea Maritime & Industrial Museum). Further upstream, the river was dammed to ensure a reserve of water and a strong steady flow to the ironworks: the present large masonry dam (nprn 33643), which carries a public road, dates from about l840. The Ironworks closed finally in l885.
RCAHMW, 11 March 2009.
