From castles to the Cynon Valley with Penarth Ramblers

Glamorgan Star news 23/02/2023

2 minutes read

Enjoying a respite from climbing in the Cynon Valley. Photo: Geraint Thomas.

The Penarth and District Ramblers recently visited three ruined castles in the Vale, in a 16-mile walk led by William.

They started at Barry Castle, which was a fortified manor house. Heading downhill and across the Barry Brook they climbed up through woodland beside the main Vale railway line and another short climb led them up to cross Port Road. Fields to the rear of Blackton Farm brought them to a farm track and out onto the road for the short journey into Penmark, where they enjoyed their morning break in the churchyard of St Mary’s.

Then, gazing at the ivy-clad remnants of Penmark Castle, built by the Umfraville family, they descended through woods, across the River Waycock to climb to Pen-onn and then by road to Llancarfan.

Entering the 12th Century Church of St Cadoc, they were able to view the stunning wall paintings discovered below many layers of whitewash, before following the clean Nant Carfan on their way to the pretty village of Llanbethery. Then, they crossed the moor and the River Thaw to pause on the riverbank for luncheon before moving on through Oxmoor Wood to the hamlet of Castleton and through the Rills valley to the ruins of their third castle at East Orchard.

Church Lane led them to Baronswell, past the remnants of the Boy’s Village and through West Aberthaw to join part of the Wales Coastal Path, where they headed eastwards around the closed Aberthaw Power Station, through Pleasant Harbour and up the steps to Fontygary. Then, following the clifftop to deviate to St Curig’s Church, a descent into Porthkerry Country Park led to the last climb up the Golden Stairs for the return to their starting point.

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Cynon Valley

The Cynon Valley beckoned Geraint who was joined by a group of 17 walkers and Bruno the dog for his 7.5-mile ramble which began at Mountain Ash railway station. Crossing the River Cynon which rises in the Brecon Beacons National Park, they had been pre-warned about the long climb out of the valley and, heading along pavements before passing through a farmyard, they joined tracks through forestry. Arriving at the ridgeway they were delighted with views across the Taff Valley and pausing for breath, one last climb led them to the trig point on Twyn Brynbychan.

From a height of 1,348-feet, they learned that what goes up thankfully has to come down and pausing for their well-earned lunch near some woodland, once that was over, they were ready for the descent. The excellent views certainly made up for the steep haul up the hillside and joining the Gillies Trail and descending on pretty pathways, they entered Mountain Ash with its commemorative statue of Guto Nyth-Bran (1700-1737). Guto a famous runner who won a 12-mile race from Newport to Bedwas in 53 minutes, but receiving a congratulatory pat on the back, he collapsed and died. Since 1958, a short race of 5km around Mountain Ash is held in his honour.

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Joy Strangward