Ystradgynlais, Mining town in Powys, Wales
Ystradgynlais is a town in Powys, Wales, that stretches along the River Tawe in the northeastern part of the Swansea Valley, with surrounding hills creating its setting. The town center holds shops, essential services, and a bus station, while a national cycle route passes through its southern edge.
The place began as a small hamlet that grew rapidly in the 1800s when coal mines and ironworks opened. This industrial growth turned it from a quiet settlement into a working community at the heart of the region.
The Welfare Hall reflects how miners invested in their community by building a gathering place that still hosts theater, films, and local events today. The hall shows how working people shaped their town's cultural life from the ground up.
Buses connect the town regularly to Swansea, making it easy to reach by public transport. A national cycle route runs through the southern area if you prefer to explore on a bike.
A watch factory operated here from 1947 to 1980, showing how the town shifted beyond coal mining into manufacturing. This factory brought different work and opportunities to residents seeking new paths.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
