History

Llanbradach Colliery was opened in 1894 by Cardiff Steam Coal Collieries Ltd. Although one of the smaller coal companies, it became one of the largest collieries in South Wales, employing 3000 colliers at its peak in 1913. It continued in operation after nationalisation but was closed in 1961. Ordnance Survey maps suggest 2 main phases of development, the extant structures mostly belonging to the second phase, of the early C20, when most of the original buildings appear to have been replaced. Most of the colliery buildings have survived and have been in use for a variety of light industrial purposes. They form an unusually complete and impressive colliery complex prominently sited overlooking the Rhymney Valley.

The wall was part of the second phase of development of the colliery, first shown on the 1915 Ordnance Survey, and faced the colliery yard to the E with its 2 shafts.

Exterior

A long and tall revetment oriented N-S and continuing from the engineering shop to beyond the fan house. The wall is constructed of snecked, rock-faced sandstone with an irregular top and most of its coping missing. Facing the former yard is a segmental headed doorway at high level with steps leading up to the engine hall. To its L is an opening in the top of the wall defining the position of the winding cables from the engine hall to the shaft. Opposite the engineering shops is a round-headed opening to a vaulted chamber. A similar vaulted chamber, reached through a narrower segmental-headed doorway, is opposite the fan house. Girders link the wall to the fan house and to the engineering shops, while brackets project at high level from the wall in several places.

Reasons for Listing

Listed for group value with other associated items at Llanbradach Colliery.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29499343

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

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  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
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  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
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  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)