track. defined

Tower. Folly The . Shell the fact,

well- the along 1.5km, about for hill the up continue and

in is, this Potter’; ‘Harry

Parc y Pen past walking stile, the over Go track. the up left

in Hut Hagrid’s unlike

turn and stile the over go ahead, wall the in ladder-stile a for

a round stone hut, not not hut, stone round a

left your to look Grotto, the of door the to back your With

see will you out, level to

Edward VII. Edward

begins it When grassland.

grand picnics in the grotto; one of the guests being the future King King future the being guests the of one grotto; the in picnics grand

the through up walk and

teeth form a gory but fascinating floor. The Hanbury family held held family Hanbury The floor. fascinating but gory a form teeth

From here, turn uphill uphill turn here, From

minerals, gnarled bits of wood and stalactites. Deer bones and and bones Deer stalactites. and wood of bits gnarled minerals,

. Arbour stone the to

shapes, picked out in a myriad of shells. The walls are set with with set are walls The shells. of myriad a in out picked shapes, Grotto. Shell

trees of copse round small

the of patterns the of taste a Just ceiling is swathed in intricate patterns of flowers and geometric geometric and flowers of patterns intricate in swathed is ceiling

the of side lower the

collector, is thought to have designed the interior. The fanned fanned The interior. the designed have to thought is collector,

around go then trees, of belt the through going fork hand

fashion to have a . Molly Hanbury Leigh, an avid shell shell avid an Leigh, Hanbury Molly grotto. shell a have to fashion

right the Take Grotto. the to you directs that fingerpost

a romantic feature at a time when it was the height of of height the was it when time a at feature garden romantic a

the to hill the up continue boardwalk the of end the At

but its interior is its glory! It was built in the early 1830’s as as 1830’s early the in built was It glory! its is interior its but

park. the over all found are that trees chestnut may look plain and understated from the outside outside the from understated and plain look may Grotto The

sweet and beech many the of some through you take will This

Arbour. the in break Taking

boardwalk). the of end the meet to path worn well the up

climb end the at and path lower the take closed is route this (If

walk. board the onto right turn then 80m about for uphill Go

Folly). the (to fingerpost second the at

left turn then 150m about for drive the follow and right turn

then centre the past continue Lwyd, Afon the over bridge

the take park, car Centre Living Active the from Starting

right then go on to and past the Active Living Centre ahead of you). of ahead Centre Living Active the past and to on go then right

the Park Gates and the Italian , go over the river bridge, turn turn bridge, river the over go Gardens, Italian the and Gates Park the

764688. 01496 ring Folly, and Grotto

(If you are starting from the bus stops in Hanbury Road, go through through go Road, Hanbury in stops bus the from starting are you (If

the for times opening on information For 1995. July in

climb, then you return through the centuries as you descend. you as centuries the through return you then climb,

Wales of Prince Charles, Prince by re-opened officially and

T

take you further back through time the higher you you higher the time through back further you take walls razed its re-build to funds the raise to hard worked had

his is a walk of 4 miles and two thousand years. It will will It years. thousand two and miles 4 of walk a is his that a by restored was folly the 1994; until bare

remained skyline The . at factory’ ‘bomb nearby

the to them direct to landmark a as it use would bombers

Walk

enemy feared was it as demolished was tower the 1940 In

deer. estate’s the hunting for point lookout

Circular a as and house summer a as it used Hanburys The 1770s.

the around built folly romantic another is it reality in but

tower watch roman a of site the on built is it claims legend

Park

Local valley. the along miles many for visible is Folly The

left. your to off

Mountain Holy or Skirrid the round, right coming and you

of ahead Llandegfedd at reservoir the see can you left, the Estuary.

Pontypool

to pan you As Forest. Wentwood the and Channel Severn the over views the of terms in original the matches which

the Bridge, Transporter Newport the see can you right far outlook sunny its enjoy to everyone enable to location new this at

your On view. the in take breath, your catch you While rebuilt and moved were stones its Arbour garden a really was it

. Folly The as known tower octagonal the towards walk then showed investigation Further pigsty. old on be to thought was that

and rise little the up go field, open an enters track the As stones of pile dilapidated a of home the was garden A

Countryside Code • Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work; 4hr • Guard against all risk of fire; • Leave all gates and property as you find them; WALK • Keep your dogs under close control, preferably on a lead Difficulty of walk - 3 (moderate) as there may be other animals along the route; Park • Keep to public paths; • Use gates and stiles to cross fences, and walls; • Leave livestock and machinery alone; Circular • Take your litter home; • Help to keep all water clean; Walk • Protect wildlife, plants and trees; • Take special care on country roads. It will take you further Advice for Walkers back through time the To get the most enjoyment from walking and exploring ’s varied countryside, making use of an ordnance higher you climb. survey map is strongly recommended. The countryside can change rapidly and way-markers can easily be missed. Ensure that you wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear in case of muddy and slippery surfaces. Walking is a perfect activity to improve your physical health, it can help your circulation and maintain a healthy heart! Some of the paths referred to are not Public Rights of Way but are permissive paths or are across common land which With thanks to: enjoys open access. Public Transport Torfaen has a good network of public transport. To plan your journey visit www.traveline.org.uk Tourist Information Centre Tourist Information Centre provides information on days out, attractions, accommodation, activities and route planning in the area. Tel: 01495 742333, or visit: www.world-heritage-blaenavon.org.uk

Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru Website Countryside Council for Explore our For information on other walks in Torfaen, as well as details of the various activities in the area, please visit the following websites: © 2008 Communications Design, TCBC Countryside www.countryside.torfaen.gov.uk

track. defined

Tower. Folly The . Grotto Shell the fact,

well- the along 1.5km, about for hill the up continue and

in is, this Potter’; ‘Harry

Parc y Pen past walking stile, the over Go track. the up left

in Hut Hagrid’s unlike

turn and stile the over go ahead, wall the in ladder-stile a for

a round stone hut, not not hut, stone round a

left your to look Grotto, the of door the to back your With

see will you out, level to

Edward VII. Edward

begins it When grassland.

grand picnics in the grotto; one of the guests being the future King King future the being guests the of one grotto; the in picnics grand

the through up walk and

teeth form a gory but fascinating floor. The Hanbury family held held family Hanbury The floor. fascinating but gory a form teeth

From here, turn uphill uphill turn here, From

minerals, gnarled bits of wood and stalactites. Deer bones and and bones Deer stalactites. and wood of bits gnarled minerals,

. Arbour stone the to

shapes, picked out in a myriad of shells. The walls are set with with set are walls The shells. of myriad a in out picked shapes, Grotto. Shell

trees of copse round small

the of patterns the of taste a Just ceiling is swathed in intricate patterns of flowers and geometric geometric and flowers of patterns intricate in swathed is ceiling

the of side lower the

collector, is thought to have designed the interior. The fanned fanned The interior. the designed have to thought is collector,

around go then trees, of belt the through going fork hand

fashion to have a shell grotto. Molly Hanbury Leigh, an avid shell shell avid an Leigh, Hanbury Molly grotto. shell a have to fashion

right the Take Grotto. the to you directs that fingerpost

a romantic garden feature at a time when it was the height of of height the was it when time a at feature garden romantic a

the to hill the up continue boardwalk the of end the At

but its interior is its glory! It was built in the early 1830’s as as 1830’s early the in built was It glory! its is interior its but

park. the over all found are that trees chestnut may look plain and understated from the outside outside the from understated and plain look may Grotto The

sweet and beech many the of some through you take will This

Arbour. the in break Taking

boardwalk). the of end the meet to path worn well the up

climb end the at and path lower the take closed is route this (If

walk. board the onto right turn then 80m about for uphill Go

Folly). the (to fingerpost second the at

left turn then 150m about for drive the follow and right turn

then centre the past continue Lwyd, Afon the over bridge

the take park, car Centre Living Active the from Starting

right then go on to and past the Active Living Centre ahead of you). of ahead Centre Living Active the past and to on go then right

the Park Gates and the Italian Gardens, go over the river bridge, turn turn bridge, river the over go Gardens, Italian the and Gates Park the

764688. 01496 ring Folly, and Grotto

(If you are starting from the bus stops in Hanbury Road, go through through go Road, Hanbury in stops bus the from starting are you (If

the for times opening on information For 1995. July in

climb, then you return through the centuries as you descend. you as centuries the through return you then climb,

Wales of Prince Charles, Prince by re-opened officially and

T

take you further back through time the higher you you higher the time through back further you take walls razed its re-build to funds the raise to hard worked had

his is a walk of 4 miles and two thousand years. It will will It years. thousand two and miles 4 of walk a is his that community a by restored was folly the 1994; until bare

remained skyline The Glascoed. at factory’ ‘bomb nearby

the to them direct to landmark a as it use would bombers

Walk

enemy feared was it as demolished was tower the 1940 In

deer. estate’s the hunting for point lookout

Circular a as and house summer a as it used Hanburys The 1770s.

the around built folly romantic another is it reality in but

tower watch roman a of site the on built is it claims legend

Park

Local valley. the along miles many for visible is Folly The

left. your to off

Mountain Holy or Skirrid the round, right coming and you

of ahead Llandegfedd at reservoir the see can you left, the Estuary.

Pontypool

to pan you As Forest. Wentwood the and Channel Bristol Severn the over views the of terms in original the matches which

the Bridge, Transporter Newport the see can you right far outlook sunny its enjoy to everyone enable to location new this at

your On view. the in take breath, your catch you While rebuilt and moved were stones its Arbour garden a really was it

. Folly The as known tower octagonal the towards walk then showed investigation Further pigsty. old on be to thought was that

and rise little the up go field, open an enters track the As stones of pile dilapidated a of home the was garden Trevethin A

Countryside Code • Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work; 4hr • Guard against all risk of fire; Pontypool • Leave all gates and property as you find them; WALK • Keep your dogs under close control, preferably on a lead Difficulty of walk - 3 (moderate) as there may be other animals along the route; Park • Keep to public paths; • Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls; • Leave livestock and machinery alone; Circular • Take your litter home; • Help to keep all water clean; Walk • Protect wildlife, plants and trees; • Take special care on country roads. It will take you further Advice for Walkers back through time the To get the most enjoyment from walking and exploring Torfaen’s varied countryside, making use of an ordnance higher you climb. survey map is strongly recommended. The countryside can change rapidly and way-markers can easily be missed. Ensure that you wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear in case of muddy and slippery surfaces. Walking is a perfect activity to improve your physical health, it can help your circulation and maintain a healthy heart! Some of the paths referred to are not Public Rights of Way but are permissive paths or are across common land which With thanks to: enjoys open access. Public Transport Torfaen has a good network of public transport. To plan your journey visit www.traveline.org.uk Tourist Information Centre Blaenavon Tourist Information Centre provides information on days out, attractions, accommodation, activities and route planning in the area. Tel: 01495 742333, or visit: www.world-heritage-blaenavon.org.uk

Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru Website Countryside Council for Wales Explore our For information on other walks in Torfaen, as well as details of the various activities in the area, please visit the following websites: © 2008 Communications Design, TCBC Countryside www.countryside.torfaen.gov.uk St. Cadoc’s Church. In 1912, John Hanbury announced he would be leaving and so the house was let to nuns from St. Albans Convent. The park itself was sold to the then local councils and has been Pontypool enjoyed by the public ever since. The Ice House on your left has the unique feature of looking like a single building but it has two chambers hidden behind its walls with the only access being from the top opening. Park Originally the ice would have been collected from the park ponds and nearby canal in the winter and stored in the insulated pits to be used to keep food fresh in the summer. This ice could not be Circular used in food as it had all the leaves, twigs and other nasties found floating in the water frozen at its core. It was not until ‘fresh’ ice Walk blocks could be brought by train from the cities that the family could indulge in fruit ices and luxurious ice cream.

Continue past the tower and take the path that follows the wall on your right. Go through the kissing gate and car park and look up to see the ‘Little Mountain’ and Mynydd Garn men lost their lives. The tragedy was reported in the national press y Clochdu ahead of you. Turn left onto Folly Lane and walk and funds poured in to help support the 70 widows, the bereft down this old Roman Road. mothers and the 240 fatherless children. It is possible that the Roman Road came from the fort of Walk down through the fields and woods (for about 700m) Gobannium at Abergavenny, went down the hill to cross the Afon on what was called the ‘Cobbled Path’, originally another Lwyd at and then it climbed up and over Mynydd Hanbury construction. No romantic folly this time but a way Llanhilleth. As you continue down this ancient route, take a look of ensuring their household staff could walk to the church at the old farm houses along the way. These would have been built on Sundays without getting their shoes muddy! before Pontypool became a town in its own right, being part of the sizeable ancient Parish of Trevethin (Tref = Town, Eithin = gorse). At the end of the path, go down the steep driveway and One of the farms, Pant y Gollen, is well over 500 years old. turn right onto Park Road. Cross over, continuing down the hill for about 200m, then turn left and follow the cobbled Continue down the lane for about 1km, then once past driveway back into Pontypool Park. Romantic 1790 view of the Park House and its deer! ‘’, Continue straight ahead bear left off the estate roads As you walk along what was once the back entrance to into the park and then bear down a lane that passes an Pontypool Park House you will pass the old stable block and right at the ‘deer pond’. (If old pub called the ‘Masons yard that now houses Pontypool Museum and on your left you are returning to the Arms’. The original part you will see the restored Ice House. Before you enter the bus stops, turn sharp right of this building was once park, you walk past the rear of St. Albans R.C. school which here, taking the path signed the rectory for St. Cadoc’s incorporates most of the original Pontypool Park House that ‘Italian Gardens’. Once Church. was once the family home of the Hanburys. The first Hanbury to come to Pontypool was Mr Richard past the Bowling Go past the old pub and and Greens, bear right and climb over the stone stile Hanbury who purchased iron works in the area in the 1560s. Capel Hanbury built the first house in the park in 1681 but it was retrace your steps over the on your left and walk bridge.) down through the church not until 1704 that a Hanbury, Major John, took up permanent Turn right in front of the yard then turn right, going residence in Pontypool. Down the generations the house was Active Living Centre and through an older section remodelled, more follies were built and themed gardens added, return to the car park. of the graveyard with some most of which were redesigned in 1801 by Capability Brown and interesting monuments. which form the basic landscape elements of hills and valleys which are seen today. Many grand memorials line the church paths. Major John Hanbury, the first permanent resident at the Park. Take the path that goes to the left of the church, leaving St. Cadoc’s through an impressive lych gate; cross the road N and go through the kissing gate alongside the Yew Tree Pub. Saint Cadoc began building his church in the 6th century, but the Car Park devil, having other ideas, pulled his walls down at night. After 0 0.5km many attempts to build his church, St. Cadoc laid in wait one night Pant y gollen and caught the devil tearing down the walls. As Old Nick gathered up the stone in his apron, St. Cadoc picked up a miraculous bell he had been given for the church and rang it. Its pure sound startled the devil who then dropped the stones on the hill above, now known Trevethin as Mynydd Garn Y Clochdu (Cairn of the bell). Take time to explore the churchyard and wander its avenues of fascinating memorials. Keep an eye out for the tiny iron crosses Masons Arms that mark graves of some of the victims of a terrible local disaster. In 1890, there was an explosion in Llanerch Colliery and 176 St. Cadoc’s Church

Yew Tree PH

Pontypool

cobbled path

Penygarn Pen y Parc Nant y gollen

Ice House Shell Grotto

Museum Rear of St. Albans R.C.

Alternative Sports Italian- Route Ground Gardens Fingerpost - Arbour to the Folly Afon Llwyd

Pontypool Active Car Park Living Centre Walk Start One of the Lllanerch Crosses. & Finish