THE MONMOUTHSHIRE AND BRECON CANAL
TIME & PLACE

RUNTIME: 54 MINS

CAT: AWA241
UPC: 881482324194
RRP: $14.95

The South Wales Valleys underwent a dramatic transformation at the end of the 18th century to become one of the hotbeds of the Industrial Revolution. The reason was simple: in no other part of Britain could wood, coal, iron ore and limestone be found in such profusion in proximity to one another. They were the 4 essential components for the creation of iron, and a new iron age was born. To transport the iron to the sea, in June 1792 the Monmouthshire Canal Company obtained parliamentary consent for a canal. In the same year the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal Company announced plans to build its own canal. The two projects were amalgamated to become what is know as the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

This canal, from the Brecon Beacons Mountain Range down to the Bristol Channel, is one of the immense engineering feats of the early 19th century. It can still be followed through some of the most spectacular scenery in the country from its basin in Brecon all the way to Newport. 

A large part of the canal is still navigable and with its partners, Monmouthshire County Council, Newport and Torfaen County Borough Councils, British Waterways is currently putting into operation exciting plans to open the remainder of this special waterway from Five Locks, Cwmbran to Newport.