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Pontypridd and Valleys

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Items on this page in natural order:

Pant y Brad - the site of a King's ambush
Bridge with Six Holes in it
Pen Rhys

Local Places of Interest

"Pont-y-Pridd" means "Bridge of Earth". This bridge, built over the River Taff in 1750 gives the town its name. The design was the result of experimentation. Three earlier designs collapsed ! The final design included three holes at each end, which prevented the bridge from collapsing under its own weight. It was of limited practical use because it was too steep for wagons and horses. A modern road bridge has been built next to the original stone bridge. About one and a half of the three holes on the East side of the bridge are visible.

Pant y Brad - the site of a King's ambush

OS Coordinates: ST025878

On the road from Tonyrefail to Llantrisant, one-half mile past the Red Cow Public House, a gatepost stands in dip in the road. On it is a plaque commemorating the capture of Edward II on 16 November 1326. The captors under the leadership of the Rev. Rhys Hywel lay in wait for the king's party.

After his capture the king was imprisoned for a period before being executed through having a hot pocer forced up his rear end.



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Bridge with Six Holes in it

OS Coordinates: ST074904

Next to the Historical and Cultural Centre in Bridge Street in the centre of Pontypridd lies a modern road bridge and beside it a much older stone footbridge, which can still be used. The bridge can best be seen by descending the steps by the Historical and Cultural centre and walking along the path beside the river in the upstream direction. The bridge contains three symmetrical holes in either side.

The curious construction is the result of three previous attempts to span the river. The constructor, William Edwards, first tried a design with a support in the middle, but this was carried away by the fast flowing water. The next two constructions using a single span both collapsed. In an attempt to lighten the load, Edwards included the holes in his next construction, which stands today.

At the time of its construction it was the longest single span bridge in the world - in some ways similar to it rival in length - the Rialto Bridge in Venice.

The history of bridge, along with a working engineering model are displayed in the Historical and Cultural Centre.


Pen Rhys

Our Lady of Pen Rhys This shrine from the 1950s stands in odd contrast to the nearby housing estate. The name Pen Rhys "Head of Rhys" may be derived from Rhys ap Gruffydd (1132 - 1197) prince of Southern Wales, who fought a long campaign of resistance against the Norman invaders.

Pen Rhys stands on the high land between the Rhondda Fawr (Big Rhondda) and the Rhondda Fach (small Rhondda).

It is the site of a 1960s housing estate. For many people the name Pen Rhys evokes the image of social deprivation, an image which is not undeserved, although with the arrival of a number of social projects, there are some hopes that the situation may be turning around.

It is a site with a long history. At the time of the closure of the monasteries and the persecution of catholics it became a site of refuge for the displaced monks.

it later became a site of pilgrimage. The present shrine dates from the 1950s.

For further information about the Pen Rhys community - see Local Organisations and look under the heading "Llanfair Uniting Church" .

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This page was last updated on 26 November 2000 __________ Back to:net-cymru Home Page