The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

The following information has been provided under the terms and conditions of access as detailed on GGAT’s website www.ggat.org.uk.  Copyright is reserved on all data supplied by the GGAT HER Charitable Trust. All output resulting from the use of the data must acknowledge the source as follows:-
Derived from information held by the GGAT HER Charitable Trust copyright.

The data below is intended to be used for information and research only and is not for use as part of a commercial project.  If you wish to use information derived from material held by the GGAT HER Charitable Trust for publication in printed or multimedia form or to compile resources for commercial use, prior permission must be obtained in writing. For further information or to arrange a visit to the Trust please send an enquiry form http://www.ggat.org.uk/her/english/enquiry_form.html to her@ggat.org.uk.

Neath Abbey Ironworks Blast Furnaces

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 01558w
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Dyffryn Clydach
Unitary authority : Neath Port Talbot
NGR : SS7379097770
Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL Structure
Status : listed building II, listed building II

Summary :
The remains of two 18th century blast furnaces of the Neath Abbey ironworks, established 1792. The furnaces ceased operations in 1885-6. Tuyere houses and one broken tuyere pipe, passage breath bridge arch to charging platform, for-heath, tapping hole and reinforced cast-iron. Blown by a Boulton and Watt blowing engine installed 1793, first in South Wales.

Description :
Two substantially complete blast furnaces, 20m apart, built into the side of the ravine of the River Clydach at Neath Abbey, and dating from 1793. The bases are at the level of the riverbank but were charged from the level of Longford Road, making them some of the highest blast furnaces ever constructed; the southern furnace still stands to 19.8m. The bases are 11.6m square and the furnaces taper inwards as they rise. There would have been a casting-house at the lower level in front of the furnaces but this has been completely demolished.

Constructed from coursed rubble with a double ring of voussoirs around the arch; the inner side of the recesses are supported on iron beams. The arch of the northern furnace has been supported on iron props, and its back wall wall has been destroyed, revealing the rock-cut chamber behind which would have housed the blast-pipes. In the southern furnace the slag notch can be seen at the southern side of the arch.

Blown by a Boulton and Watt blowing engine installed 1793, which was the first in South Wales.


Sources :
The Handley Partnership , HAAbase built heritage assessment system: Buildings at Risk database
The Handley Partnership , HAAbase built heritage assessment system: Buildings at Risk database

Events :
E005456 : Neath Abbey Ironworks (year : 2017)

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00854w

Compiled date :


April 1, 2025, 12:58 am - 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).