Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, Mamhilad

Image: © Stephen McKay Taken: 24 Jul 2009

The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is considered by many to be the most beautiful of all British waterways and here at Mamhilad it is not hard to see why. This looks and feels to be a lonely remote spot although the small village of Mamhilad is actually not far away, with access from High Bridge, just out of sight round the bend. Boaters will probably know it for the village pub - the Star. The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is in fact an amalgamation of two canals - the Monmouthshire, which ran north from Newport to Pontymoile Basin at Pontypool, and the Brecknock & Abergavenny which continued northwards, past this point, to Brecon. The main traffic was coal and iron, although the northern end conveyed mainly agricultural produce and was probably never really viable. In any event by the mid 19th century - only 50 years or so after opening - the canal began to feel the effects of competition from the railways and commercial carrying had ceased by the early years of the 20th century. Nevertheless, the canal was retained as a water channel so that, despite formal abandonment in 1962, subsequent restoration was possible. Inevitably, this is a more difficult task at the more urban southern end of the canal and at present it is not possible to navigate through Cwmbran. Eventually, however, it is hoped to reopen the entire route from Newport to Brecon.

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