Explore the story of the upper Swansea Valley from the canal’s construction in 1794 to modern day, through timelines, photographs, films and recorded local memories. → Explore local history
Swansea Canal & Industrial Heritage
Discover how the canal shaped life, industry and transport in the valley — from coal drams and mileposts to toll charges and engineering landmarks. → Learn about the canal
People & Memories
From midwives and inventors to rugby referees and hospital staff, the Centre celebrates the people who shaped Clydach — and invites you to share your own memories. → Share and explore memories
Outdoors, Walks & Learning
Set beside the canal in Coedgwilym Park, the Centre connects heritage with nature, offering walks, cycling routes, orienteering and an outdoor classroom. → Explore the outdoors
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Who We Are
A brief introduction to who we are and what the Clydach Heritage Centre exists to preserve.
Discover the stories, places and people that shaped Clydach and the Swansea Valley.
Situated next to the Swansea Canal in Coedgwilym Park, Clydach. The Clydach Heritage centre includes:
Nestled in the upper Swansea Valley, we are a Volunteer-Run 'Clydach Heritage Centre' and we aim to preserve and promote local heritage for future generations.
A timeline of local history in the Swansea Valley, ranging from 1794 to modern day.
Resources from the local area (books, leaflets, oral histories) that bring to life the historical significance of the area, not just books and leaflets, but, walking routes, video and audio recordings including oral archives of notable local residents.
A list of Historical Toll Charges in the outside areas.
Swansea Canal Resources – Video and audio and explanatory leaflets.
The Brick Chimney – a chimney constructed with bricks from brickworks across Wales.
Coal Dram – a dram typical of those used to bring coal to the canal for transport to Swansea Docks (the last load carried on the canal was coal in 1931).
Canal Mileposts – markings show the distance travelled along the canal in ¼ mile intervals. The canal was 16 miles long in total.
Exhibitions - eg.Clydach Hospital Exhibition Do you have any memories of Clydach Hospital? If so we’d like to hear them and record them in the Memories Book at the Heritage Centre.
Memories Book invitation
Portrait Bench Memorial – as part of the development of the Sustrans Cycle Route 43, a bench has been erected between the canal and the Centre with three sheet steel portraits. ... The three characters represented are Lillian Smith (a local midwife for many years), Derek Bevan (local resident and international rugby referee, including four World Cups) and Harry Grindell-Matthews (inventor of the Death Ray, whose laboratory was at Tor Clawdd above Craig Cefn Parc).
(Lillian Smith, Derek Bevan, Harry Grindell-Matthews)
Information on things to do eg.Local Walks and Nature on the Canal.
Outdoor Classroom
Sustrans Route 43 cycle path
Fitness Trail
Exercise - a map of the orienteering course in Coed Gwilym Park, the Sustrans Route 43 cycle track running beside the Centre and along the canal tow-path and the fitness trail location adjacent to the football field.
Where We Are and How to Get to us
Description: The Centre is located adjacent to the Swansea Canal in Coed Gwilym Park, Clydach, Swansea, SA6 5NS.
What is What3Words? ... A modern navigation concept, a site that in principle divides the world into 3-metre squares, each identified by a unique three-word address 🙂 ... click the link above to use this method.
Easiest and most Reliable Way to find travel routes: Sometimes independent operators websites or apps can prove not up to date. Google maps tends to be the Easiest way to find Bus Routes etc. Here's a direct link to Google Maps Link
Winter: Sat. & Sun. 12pm-3pm
Summer: Sat. & Sun. 1pm-4pm
