Save on service fees by booking direct on Houfy.

These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, weather, or other events may cause conditions to differ from the map results, and you should plan your route accordingly. You must obey all signs or notices regarding your route.

As a security deposit alternative, houfyProtect, an upfront nonrefundable low cost property damage protection policy for just $5 per night, is taken at time of booking.

This host has not verified their email and or phone number on Houfy.

This host has verified their email and or phone number on Houfy.

This host verified their email and phone number on Houfy.

Houfy lets you contact and book direct with hosts. The host has provided the following links to give you more information.

This host responds to {response_rate}% of inquiries {response_time}.

A professional captain will navigate the boat for you.

Wonderful Houfy hosts are recognized as the best hosts in hospitality. The wonderful Houfy program rewards Houfy's top-rated and most experienced hosts.

 Pontneddfechan were established in 1857. It produced black powder for use in mining and quarrying and operated until the early 1930's. Since that time the site slowly disintegrated. Many of the buildings had to be demolished because of the risk of accidental explosion they posed. Brecon Beacons Park authority took over the site and it has undergone a major restoration project to preserve what remains. You will be able to start your tour in the Pontneddfechan Village Hall when the project is finished. A walk along the line of the old tramroad which takes you through the works and past the remains of each of the factory buildings. Interpretative boards along the way will help you imagine it in its heyday when 60-70 people were working there.

The factory's waterwheels and turbines were powered by the River Mellte, effectively providing free and fairly constant energy.

The raw materials, charcoal, sulphur and salt petre or potassium nitrate came in at the bottom of the site. The materials were then transported around by tramroad until the finished black powder came out at the top.

Safety was paramount and all possible precautions had to be taken to avoid explosions. Employees always changed into work clothes before entering potentially dangerous areas. They wore leather slippers fastened with wooden pegs over their shoes and boots. Trousers with pockets were not allowed  or turn-ups to prevent grit being carried into the works which might have caused sparks.

To avoid explosions areas of the works were regularly dowsed with water to keep them damp in a process called liquoring. Other areas were also doused after an explosion to stop it spreading. They had a fairly good safety record at this site but still there were quite a few explosions. Buildings had a front wall designed to easily blow out so that the rest of the building might survive.

The quality of the black powder was tested by using it to fire a cannon which is now outside 

 in Brecon. Only if the powder propelled a cannon ball a specific distance did it make the grade.

Gunpowder Works Brecon Beacons

dba5ccb2cb0d2cd9415eee1b31806698.jpg

370c21fa9b64b647579977665bf8c226.jpg

c35521efdeb242dd9e91f99e4ef32714.jpg

a498eef9d19eb1ab6647f5baa148602b.jpg

9b3253188b764610d4657267c2b50db4.jpg

1bb64938ef2b61af2ee2382091076930.jpg

Dark Skies Brecon Beacons Holiday Cottage. Peaceful location, panoramic views. All the comforts of home including log burner, EV charger & good WiFi.

Aberyscir Coach House

aberyscir-coach-house/

94999224c41a97f63568b9a0233b17f1.webp

Hello I am Valerie the owner operator of Aberyscir Coach House.

Having travelled the world for years we settled in the Brecon Beacons about 10 years ago. We fell in love with our Victorian rectory that has spectacular views of the mountains. I have become a Brecon Beacons Ambassador and my husband Peter a volunteer warden helping to maintain the paths in the park.

We meet all our guests on arrival and are here should you want any help or information. We do have 2 black labradors who also enjoy meeting the guests and the chickens are your neighbours.



Gunpowder Works Brecon Beacons

Comments (0)

Add Your Place to Houfy

Other posts by Valerie

Brecon Beacons Stargazing

Alpaca My Boots

Castles of the Brecon Beacons

Listings by Valerie

Aberyscir Coach House

Company

Hosting

Resources

Settings