Coelbren Roman Fort

© Crown copyright: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
© Hawlfraint y Goron: Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Cymru

Coelbren was the site of a Roman marching fortress, shown above from the air. The fort covered an area of four and a half acres and was constructed where the Roman road Brecon Gaer crossed the river Afon Pyrddyn. It would have housed around 320 infantry and up to 120 horse soldiers, although it had temporary capacity to take a full detachment of 500 cavalry and their mounts. 

Coelbren is also known for its spectacular Henrhyd Falls, the tallest waterfall in South Wales which was created by the slippage of a fault in the earths surface. The river Llech which pours over Henrhyd Falls has carved a steep sided heavily wooded valley which is a site of special scientific interest as well as an important fossil site. 

The village grew when the Neath-Brecon railway was built and anthracite was mined locally to be distributed by the rail network. Today it is a pleasant village with some of the best views of the lovely Upper Swansea Valley.