Ride 5: Around Longtown and Grosmont Castles - Page 2
The minor road to Longtown follows the path of the Monnow along the valley floor never loosing sight of the imposing Black mountain ridge that looms upwards to the west. Longtown castle is on the outskirts of the village near the church and has been well positioned by the Normans to defend the English borderlands.
After a half mile climb up Merddin hill there is an easy laid back ride along a tarmac lane eventually leading to an exhilarating steep descent into the village of Ewyas Harold below. From here the route crosses the Monnow river reaching another high plateau on the Hereford side of the border winding its way through some of the most beautiful rolling hill countryside along the Marches; hardly changed from Elgar times.
If you are feeling energetic there is an option to make a short two mile detour to visit Kilpeck whose extraordinary Romanesque style church with its monster heads still survives from the Norman period. The ride loops around near Crabs Castle skirting through the verdant parkland of Kentchurch with Garway Hill looming in the background. A short climb up Cupids Hill leads to the picturesque village of Grosmont and the remains of the imposing 13C castle which is part of the three-castle Norman defence of the borders.
From Grosmont there is a superb ride over the high plateau of Campstone hill where there are yet again stunning views of the Black mountains as well as the undulating borderlands. The return route skirts around the lower slopes of the Big Skirrid overlooking the Gavenny valley and Black mountain ridges towards the west, linking up with the cycleway route through Abergavenny and on to Llanfoist. From here there is a moderate climb around the west side of Gilwern hill to Pwlldu followed by a fast descent down to the Ironworks.
Garn-yr- erw mountain: moon like landscape caused by open-casting in the 1940/50s era; remains of Hill pits on south side
Dyne Steels Incline Pwlldu: former cable operated inclined railroad on north (Pwlldu) and south (Blaenafon) sides of Garn-yr-erw mountain; used in 19C for early transport of minerals between Blaenafon Ironworks and Pwlldu; supplemented tunnel route.
Keepers pond (Pen-fford-goch Pond): named after Keepers cottage now a popular sightseeing spot on top of Blorenge; originally used as a feeder during 19C for Garnderys Forge Foxhunter car park: commemorates nearby grave of Lt. Col. Harry Llewelyn’s famous Olympic show jumping horse Foxhunter (1940-59)
Skirrid Inn Llanvihangel Crucorney: Reputed to be one of the oldest Inns in Wales although present building thought to date from 17C; there was a courtroom and prison cell inside: St Michaels church is close by.
Cloddoch Church: on the road to Longtown close to river; picturesque Hamlet Longtown Castle 12C Norman castle built by Walter de Lacey to defend English borderlands; impressive ruins - not far from church
Kilpeck Church & Castle: Church built by Hugh de Kilpeck in 12C on site of Saxon church; renowned for its incredible pagan carvings including monster heads, ancient beasts and the Green Man; the remains of Norman castle and moat is just behind the church; Kilpeck was important fortified medieval village.
Kentchurch Church & Court: imposing mid 19C church in England's green and pleasant land; Court opposite was supposed refuge of Owain Glyndwr.
Grosmont Castle: 13C work of Hubert de Burgh; imposing structure with towers and gatehouse surrounded by ditch; church is close by.
Section of Abergavenny-Merthyr railway: built in 1862 and opened by Ironmaster Crawshay Bailey; closed 1958; Govilon station still recognisable; Govilon Llanvihangel tramway predates the railway
Pwlldu Tunnels: the tramroad route between Blaenafon Ironworks and Pwlldu went through a tunnel almost one and a half miles long under Garn mountain; tunnel portal can be seen on side of road just below former Welfare Hall
Pwlldu: a one time bustling village built for iron and coal workers but demolished in sixties; there were two terraced rows of houses, two pubs, a shop and, chapel, now all that remains is welfare hall (outdoor centre) and Lamb & Fox Inn.