A Visit To Aberdulais

Aberdulais is a village in Neath Port Talbot, Wales, renowned for its industrial heritage, particularly the Aberdulais Falls and Tin Works. This National Trust site is a fascinating blend of natural beauty and historical significance. It is an interesting place, and so I thought you might all be interested in its history and what it has to offer.

Here’s what makes Aberdulais special:

• Aberdulais Falls: The spectacular waterfall on the River Dulais has been a source of power for industries for over 400 years. The river plunges over hard Pennant Sandstone, creating a dramatic sight, especially after heavy rain. The gorge itself was carved by glacial meltwater around 20,000 years ago.
• Industrial Heritage: Aberdulais boasts a rich industrial past, primarily due to the abundant water power from the falls and the local presence of coal and timber.
  • The first documented industry was copper smelting in 1584, using ore from Cornwall. This was reputedly a secret operation, approved by Elizabeth I, to raise funds for conflict with Spain.
  • Over the centuries, the site also housed ironworks, a corn mill, and most notably, a tinplate works. The Welsh tinplate industry flourished for a time, with Aberdulais playing a key role in global production.
  • Today, the waterwheel at Aberdulais is one of Europe’s largest electricity-generating waterwheels, a modern steel structure that produces green energy for the site, with any surplus fed into the national grid.
  • Visitors can explore the remaining buildings, including the tall smokestack of the tinplate works and the former schoolhouse for workers’ children, providing a tangible link to the past.
• Artistic Inspiration: The beauty of Aberdulais Falls has long attracted artists. J.M.W. Turner, for instance, visited in 1795 and sketched the waterfall and cornmill, which inspired his watercolour “Aberdulais Mill, Glamorganshire.”
• National Trust Property: The Aberdulais Falls and its associated industrial infrastructure are cared for by the National Trust, ensuring its preservation and public access. There are exhibitions and films detailing the site’s history, and guided tours are often available during summer months.
• Location and Accessibility: Aberdulais is situated on the River Neath, and its industrial history is intertwined with the Neath and Tennant Canals, which were vital for transporting goods like coal to Swansea Docks.

In essence, Aberdulais offers a unique opportunity to witness the raw power of nature alongside the ingenuity of the Industrial Revolution, showcasing how the landscape shaped human endeavor in this part of Wales.

All my images were captured on my Nikon Z6ii with 20mm F/2.8 and 24-70mm F/4 lenses. All images straight from camera (square framed mode) as I just wanted to do something a bit different today.

I hope you enjoyed this series of images and information. I have not really done this type of thing for a long while. As you can see, I did experiment a little with reflections in water and some car panning shots.

We stopped at a lovely eatery named “Booths At The Bridge” and had some lovely food and drink in the summer sun too!