Boating Lake to Griffithstown Railway Museum

An easy walk through parklands and along the riverside

Start: Boating Lake, Cwmbran

Finish: Griffithstown Railway Museum

Parking: Boating Lake Car Park, Cwmbran

Approximate Distance: 6 kms / 4 miles

Time Allowance: 1.5 - 2 hours

Along this section you will cross over the Afon Lwyd river. The name ‘Afon Lwyd’ means Grey River. It was once a crystal clear river, but with the coming of industry, the water became polluted and discoloured. Its former name was ‘Torfaen’, meaning ‘Rockbreaker’ indicative of the forceful way the water rushes down the valley.

The walk takes you across Chapel Lane. The lane is so called because Pontrhydyrun Baptist Chapel is situated at the top of the lane. As you emerge from the footpath onto Chapel Lane, the large house you see on the opposite side is Pontrhydyrun House, former home of the Conway family, who were the owners of the Edlogan Tinplate Works, which were situated nearby. They were a deeply religious family and they financed the building of the chapel in 1836. It is a very attractive building, built in the Greek classical style with an Ionic portico. The Conway family graves can be seen in the graveyard and the entrance to the churchyard is enhanced by a huge cedar tree. This magnificent specimen started life in Lebanon and was brought back to this country by the Conway family from a family holiday in the Holy Land. 

At the Griffithstown Railway Museum the railway goods shed has been lovingly restored and now houses a fine collection of railway memorabilia and model railways. Griffithstown, as the surrounding area is known, has a proud railway heritage. It was named after Henry Griffiths, the first GWR stationmaster at the nearby Pontypool Road Station.

Also, in 1880, Griffithstown was the birthplace of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF). 

Download a copy of the Torfaen Trail - Figure of 8 Leaflet which includes the Boating Lake to Griffithstown Railway Museum walk here.