The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Hafod Copper Works

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 00842w
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Landore
Unitary authority : Swansea
NGR : SS66209518
Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL Copperworks

Summary :
In 1810 the Vivian family opened a new copper manufactory at Hafod on the west bank of the River Tawe. This works, which eventually dominated copper production, joined seven other non ferrous works located in the lower Swansea Valley.

Description :
In 1810 the Vivian family opened a new copper manufactory at Hafod on the west bank of the River Tawe. This works, which eventually dominated copper production, joined seven other non ferrous works located in the lower Swansea Valley. Still processing copper at the end of the nineteenth century and continued into the twentieth century eventually closing in 1980.

In addition to copper, silver and gold were also produced as were chemicals such as sulphuric and other acids derived from the manufacturing processes.

The site has been derelict since closure. When surveyed in 2002, a number of buildings and associated features, fixtures and fittings remained, albeit in various states of repair. The significant buildings and features have separate PRNs, listed in Cross references below.

Full development and historical timelines, and a detailed survey of extant buildings and the areas which surround them, may be found in the report: The Yorkshire Imperial Metals Site: A Site Appraisal (N Ludlow, 2002).

Sources :
, 1982 , Hafod Copper Works , South West Wales Industrial Archaeology Society : 31 : 4
Ludlow, N , 2002 , The Yorkshire Imperial Metals Site: A Site Appraisal ( © Dyfed Archaeological Trust)
Toft L A , 1990 , A4067/A4217 Cross Valley Link at Pentrechwyth ( © GGAT)
Toft L A , 1991 , A4067/A4217 and Cross Valley Link at Pentrechwyth, Report on Watching Brief. ( © GGAT)

Events :
E003883 : A4067/A4217 Cross Valley Link at Pentrechwyth (year : 1990)
E003890 : A4067/A4217 and Cross Valley Link at Pentrechwyth. (year : 1991)
E004112 : Hafod Copperworks test pits, Swansea: archaeological watching brief (year : 2004)
E004114 : Hafod Copperworks Buildings Swansea (year : 2012)
E004529 : Hafod Copperworks (year : 2008)
E004887 : The Yorkshire Imperial Metals site, Swansea (year : 2002)
E005914 : White Rock and Hafod Works, Swansea (year : 2014)
E005913 : White Rock and Hafod Works, Swansea (year : 2014)
E003110 : Copperworks site, Hafod, Swansea (year : 2008)
E007585 : Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, Neath Road, Swansea (year : 2018)
E007586 : Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, Neath Road, Swansea (year : 2018)
E007585 : Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, Neath Road, Swansea (year : 2018)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 34123 http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/34123/details
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Compiled date :


April 2, 2025, 12:12 pm - HTML file produced from GGAT HER Charitable Trust Ltd. Heathfield House, Heathfield, Swansea SA1 Tel. 01792 655208; Fax 01792 474469 website: www.ggat.org.uk  email: her@ggat.org.uk Registered Charity no. 505609
Data supplied by in partnership with Local Authorities, Cadw and the partners of ENDEX © GGAT HER Charitable Trust, 2025 (and in part © Crown, 2025).