Points of interest

SWISS Valley reservoirs: The upper and Lower Lliedi reservoirs nestle in the picturesque Swiss Valley just north of Llanelli. Because of their proximity to a large urban population, they have become an important amenity site for the area with cycle routes, wheelchair friendly surfaces, well-marked trails and walks, fishing points, etc.

The reservoirs were originally constructed to provide a reliable and clean source of water for the growing metal industries in Llanelli and for its expanding population. The lower reservoir was the first to be constructed with work starting on it in 1873. It was completed in 1878 with its official opening taking place to a salute of cannon fire and the popping of champagne corks. It had a capacity of 200 million gallons but the growing demands of the town had risen to 400 million. A second Cwm Lliedi reservoir was opened in 1905 with a further capacity of 200 million gallons.

These days the two reservoirs are a popular destination for dog walkers, ramblers and wildlife enthusiasts. There is a two-mile woodland walk surrounding the reservoirs so there are plenty of birds and wildlife to see. The Carmarthenshire cycle path also runs next to the reservoir,

During the winter months, large flocks of ducks and waders frequent the sheltered water and reed beds, especially tufted duck, pochard and common sandpiper, while coots, moorhens, great crested and little grebe, cormorants and heron can be seen at most times of the year.

The lower reservoir was awarded a boost of funding from the Welsh Government late in 2020 in order to create more ‘blue spaces’ – places where people can enjoy natural water.

The £121,000 Access to Water grant will enable visitor access to the Lower Lliedi Reservoir for paddle sports and angling at the Llanelli beauty spot.

Work has already begun to improve access paths and facilities at the reservoir including the car park and toilets. Footpaths and footbridges have already been improved and work refurbishing the toilet block began on January 11.

The funding will see plans to bring back a range of paddle sports to the reservoir including stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, windsurfing, and kayaking. It will also enable bank angling through the creation of recreational zones.

A pontoon and ramp for paddle sports to access the water are also planned and work is due to be completed in the coming months.

Parc Howard Mansion is a country house, once known as Bryncaerau Park and originally the home of Mr R T Howell, a wellknown businessman and harbour commissioner. When he died, the house passed to James Buckley Wilson who transformed the building into the Italianate mansion of today. The house and grounds were sold in 1911 to Sir Stafford Howard who purchased them in order to be able to gift them to the people of Llanelli but with a proviso. In January 1912, Sir Stafford and Lady Howard Stepney presented the mansion to the town, granting the council a 999year lease, but insisting that they transform the gardens and grounds into a public amenity within eight months. There were two reasons for this condition: one being that he wished the gardens to be open on the first anniversary of his wedding to Lady Howard. The second was his belief that the local authorities were a little slow at performing their duties and this was a way of enforcing progress. The mansion now houses a museum that is best known for its large collection of Llanelli pottery along with paintings, portraits and other art works and artefacts relating to the local area.

Furnace got its name because of the iron blast furnaces that were built in 1804 by Alexander Raby the London iron master and cannon founder. Just one 8m high furnace remains situated in a valley near Furnace called the Dingle and is now a grade two listed building.

Furnace is a village near Llanelli and is named after the furnace built by Alexander Raby before the village was established. The main furnace remains but is neglected and in ruin.

Before the name ‘Ffwrnes’ or ‘Furnace’ was evident, the small hamlet was called ‘Cwmddyche’ which consisted of a few farmsteads and Bryn-y-môr house, which is Stradey Park Hotel today. The village is at the mouth of a valley in which the Afon Cille flows. Llyn Trebeddrod or Furnace Pond is also within the village boundaries, and was constructed as a reservoir to serve the furnaces.

Raby’s furnace stands approximately one mile outside Llanelli in the village of ‘Furnace’. This fine example of a Welsh iron furnace has been described by CADW (the Welsh Historic Monuments Agency), as “a fine survival of a circa 1800 blast furnace in virtually intact form” and listed as grade two.

The blast furnace itself stands approximately eight metres high and is situated in a picturesque romantic valley called The Dingle. This impressive structure which was the start point of the town of Llanelli’s industrial birth was also the core of a substantial rail and tramway network, part of which was to form the route of the First Public Railway in Great Britain.

St Illtyd’s Way is a 64-mile pilgrimage walk from Margam to Pembrey Country Park. The path runs through Hendy, Pontardawe and Bryn. It passes Penlle’r Castell ruin on the summit of Mynydd y Betws (with fabulous views), the spectacular Melincourt Falls on the Neath River and the Vale of Neath. There are also splendid views of the Black Mountains and peaceful wooded sections near Abercregan. The two splendid country parks at either end of the walk are also real highlights on this challenging walk.

The walk is waymarked with a white and yellow disc.