Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Former Llanbradach Colliery upper revetment wall
Llanbradach and Pwllypant, Caerphilly, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- No class recorded
- Date of designation
- 23 July 1999
- Locality
- Llanbradach Colliery
- Community
- Llanbradach and Pwllypant
- Unitary authority
- Caerphilly
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.61054, -3.23117
- Cadw reference
- 22097
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Llanbradach Colliery is on the steep hillside to the W of the village. The upper revetment wall is sited at the middle level of the colliery complex below the engine hall and winding house.
History
Llanbradach Colliery was opened in 1894 by Cardiff Steam Coal Collieries Ltd. Although one of the smaller coal companies, it became one of the largest collieries in South Wales, employing 3000 colliers at its peak in 1913. It continued in operation after nationalisation but was closed in 1961. Ordnance Survey maps suggest 2 main phases of development, the extant structures mostly belonging to the second phase, of the early C20, when most of the original buildings appear to have been replaced. Most of the colliery buildings have survived and have been in use for a variety of light industrial purposes. They form an unusually complete and impressive colliery complex prominently sited overlooking the Rhymney Valley.
The wall was part of the second phase of development of the colliery, first shown on the 1915 Ordnance Survey, and faced the colliery yard to the E with its 2 shafts.
Exterior
A long and tall revetment oriented N-S and continuing from the engineering shop to beyond the fan house. The wall is constructed of snecked, rock-faced sandstone with an irregular top and most of its coping missing. Facing the former yard is a segmental headed doorway at high level with steps leading up to the engine hall. To its L is an opening in the top of the wall defining the position of the winding cables from the engine hall to the shaft. Opposite the engineering shops is a round-headed opening to a vaulted chamber. A similar vaulted chamber, reached through a narrower segmental-headed doorway, is opposite the fan house. Girders link the wall to the fan house and to the engineering shops, while brackets project at high level from the wall in several places.
Reason for designation
Listed for group value with other associated items at Llanbradach Colliery.
Nearby in the register
- Former Llanbradach Colliery winding engine houseIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Former Llanbradach Colliery brick reservoirIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Former Llanbradach Colliery fan houseIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Former Llanbradach Colliery engine hallIndustrialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.