ACCESS & FACILITIES
Version 3 updated August 2003
- Parking for 4 cars on level tarmac lay-by alongside higher open picnic and barbecue area. For 3 cars on tarmac and 7 cars on consolidated gravel at lower shaded picnic/barbecue area.
- Toilets nearest 1-2km at local inn/hotel's or Little Chef.
- Nearest MCC Staff at Abergavenny Town Hall.
- Refreshments nearest 1-2km at Cambrian Inn, Clydach or Lion Hotel at Gilwern.
- Paths firm gravel/dust or firm level mown grass, with no barriers. A 1 in 7 path connects upper and lower picnic areas directly but more gentle option near road. Most paths with ankle height edging stones.
- Seats throughout both sites.
- Picnic tables with overhang and barbecue units at picnic site.
- Views out to the surrounding hillside farmland above the close views of wooded gorge.
OPEN everyday with FREE ENTRY
PEOPLE are occasionally at the picnic site during lunch and at weekends. Passing vehicles overlook the picnic site.
DOGS on leads are welcome, but visitors must provide bags, collect and take home any mess.
MAIN ACCESS POINT for picnic site is the car park at map grid reference SO 230 133.
Nearest train station is at Abergavenny. From here follow A465 trunk road west towards Brynmawr. Pass the turnings to Gilwern, and turn left to Clydach on unclassified road. Turnings on right into picnic site lay-by, then picnic site car park.
Bus Sevices no X4, X74 and Lew3 pass Forge Hammer stop on A465 road, 1100 metres along paved footway or grass verge.
COMMUNICATION
Site welcome board at upper picnic area, car park entrances and inside ironworks site.
Total of three bi-lingual (English & Welsh) interpretation panels at picnic area and ironworks.
No mobile phone reception but public telephone box (01873 830731) at small road bridge in Bath Row, Clydach. 500 metres uphill along Station Road.
All of the picnic site facilities are within 35-180 metres of car park entrance or lay-by.
The ironworks is 255 metres from car park. Walk up tarmac road for 90m, turn right and after 70m cross stone bridge and 15m beyond, reach gateway with sign stating "Ynys-Y-Garth, Private Drive, Footpath Only".
Follow this firm stone/dust drive for 80m to second gate. Turn left over metal 'Smarts Bridge' into ironworks.
3 seats and viewing points are within 140 m of bridge at grid reference SO 228 132.
LOCAL INFORMATION
Tourist information centre at ground level by Abergavenny Bus Station Tel. 01873 857588
National Travelline enquiry line 08706 082 608
www.travelline.org.uk
SITE MANAGEMENT
Owned and managed for recreation and SAM preservation by:
Monmouthshire County Council, Countryside Service, Regeneration, Environment & Resources Directorate, County Hall, CWMBRAN, NP44 2XH, WALES, UK.
Voice tel: 01633 644856
Fax: 01633 644800
countryside@monmouthshire.gov.uk