Brynamman (Welsh: Brynaman) is the western gateway
to the Brecon Beacons, leading directly into the
Brecon Beacons National Park.
The village itself stands on the south facing side of the Black Mountain
which at its highest point provides one of the most stunning and
accessible views in the area. It is divided into Upper Brynamman
and Lower Brynamman by te River Amman, which is also the boundary
here between the counties of Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot
(the old county of Glamorganshire).
It is the closest village to the cottage with
a small but handy selection of shops, including
the Black Mountain Centre for tourist information
as well as a useful little hardware store and a
grocer with a good selection of local and organic
produce. There is also a cinema here and an open
air swimming pool. The nearest petrol/gas station
is also here.
The small scattered farming community in this
area was transformed in the18th Century by the
Industrial Revolution as Brynamman grew into a
built-up, highly populated commercial centre to
service the coal mining industry. There were also
iron and tin works here and it was once a thriving
village with three bank branches on Station Road
in Upper Brynamman alone. There are no industries
here today and its inhabitants commute to Ammanford,
Swansea or Llanelli for work.
There is however some wonderful historical evidence
remaining from its industrial past which is reflected
in its architecture and the village attractions
- the open air pool - the last remaining lido in
South Wales and the cinema which was opened in
1926 and paid for by local miners.
There is evidence of settlements dating as far back as the Bronze
Age and beyond. Archaeology of the Black Mountain and Fforest Fawr
Geopark shows signs that people have lived here for at least
7000 years, with Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age sites.
Brynaman has a variety of walks and footpaths,
which provide a full range of adventure, from
gentle strolls, to a day’s hiking; the
common has evidence of settlements dating as
far back as the Bronze Age, as well as evidence
of industrial activity from more modern times.
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