Pont Fawr Aqueduct / Viaduct

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument is a large stone four span bridge originally constructed by John Reynolds as an aqueduct carrying water across the Afan valley to supply the waterwheel powering the blast furnace at Cwmavon Ironworks. It was later converted to a viaduct. It measures c. 135m in length, is over 23m high and c. 4m wide, and comprises four round headed arches whose piers are splayed rectangular in section.

When completed, in 1827, it was the largest aqueduct in Britain and, as an impressive engineering feat, became a local tourist attraction. Pontrhydyfen was the birthplace of Richard Burton, and the monument is also valued for iconic photographs showing the actor walking across the bridge. Today the bridge carries a path and cycleway.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of early 19th century industrial engineering and technology. Architectural details concerning chronology and building techniques were identified during conservation works undertaken during 2016-2017 and the structure retains strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The importance of the monument is enhanced by group value in association with surviving industrial historic features including ironworks, tramroads and workers housing.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.