Bedwas

Bedwas was one of the first industrial towns in
Wales. The surrounding area is rich in coal, iron ore and limestone
deposits. There is evidence that suggests the monks of Neath Abbey
may have been using coal to make iron since AD1284. By the early
19th century, an elaborate network of horse-worked railways ('iron
ways') was being built to connect collieries and ironworks. These
are indicated on th…