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  About

Introduction

UNDER CONSTRUCTION! Note: This section is currently being remodeled to better present our content. Please click the link below to continue. And be sure to check back often as I work to get these pages up-to-date. Cheers!

WALES HERITAGE SERIES
The Winding House

The Winding House in New Tredegar is an interactive museum built in the original Victorian colliery winding machine.
Overview
Location: Hengoed to New Tredegar
Distance: 13 miles (round-trip)
Travel Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ride Level: Beginner to Intermediate
The ride begins and ends at the Hengoed Train Station. Approximately 3/4's of the ride is on traffic-free walking & cycling paths.

However, there is a short section near the start which travels along a narrow road with frequent traffic especially during rush hours. This section may not be suitable for children or those uncomfortable riding near cars. This can be easily avoided by starting and ending the ride at the Pengam Train Station. (Note: this also cuts the distance by a third and changes the difficulty level to "Beginner".)
Note: Relevant links, individual NCN Route maps, an overall Map & Cue Sheet for download, as well as local train information and weather links are located at the bottom of this page.
Go to Additional Details ▼
  ROUTE COLOUR KEY:  Traffic-free  Shared Use  Quiet Road  Steep Hill
468  Hengoed to New Tredegar
Starting in Hengoed, the route heads east over the viaduct along NCN Route 47 toward Maesycwmmer. Once across, turn right at the "Wheel of Drams" and head down the zig-zag and continue under the viaduct. The route then travels up Thomas Street/Victoria Road (B4252) for approximately 1 mile to Fleur de Lis.
Travel a short distance down the High Street through Fleur de Lis to Ford Road where you will turn left and then IMMEDIATELY turn right onto a small lane. At the end of the lane there is an entrance onto a walking/cycling path. Follow this route through the woods and down another short lane to A469. Turn left and then right into the car park at the entrance to the nature reserve. At the back of the car park is the entrance to NCN Route 468.
This section of the ride will follow NCN Route 468 through the nature reserve to Bargoed where you will exit the park just below a petrol station and busy roundabout. Follow the path around the petrol station heading left up a slight hill toward the town centre. At the next roundabout and across from the bus station is a car park. Go through the left side of the car park to find the route turns and descends through a series of zig-zags and re-crosses the Rhymney River. Turn left on the other side of the bridge and follow the path up to Bedwelty Road (B4511). Turn right and continue a very short distance up a hill to a small lane on your left. At the back of this lane NCN 468 continues into the woods along a lovely traffic-free path.

Exiting the woods you will find yourself along side Queens's Road just above New Tredegar. From here you can see the Winding House ahead on the hill. Ride down the very wide and safe traffic-free cycle path down the hill toward New Tredegar and the Winding House Museum. It's that easy. The return trip is exactly as you came.

The approximate travel time is 3 to 4 hours (including a brief stop and tour of the Winding House Museum.)
The Winding House
This fascinating museum in Caerphilly County Borough is built directly on the the former site of Elliot Colliery. The centre piece of the museum is the original winding engine dating back to the Victorian Era which was used to haul men and coal between the surface and the mine below.
Exhibitions in the museum run year-round and include historical objects focusing on the lives and culture of the Valleys of Wales. Some of the unique artifacts include personal photographic displays of people and architecture from the area.

Additionally, the museum hosts a gift shop, a coffee shop, and a heritage research centre.

The Winding House Museum was voted one of the top 10 museums in Wales and judged to be one of the top 20 family-friendly museums in all of Britain.
Additional Details
Parking: All of the routes outlined here begin and end at either train stations or parks, so there is generally ample parking. Some locations may charge a daily or hourly fee.
Hengoed Station
Trains: Most all of the Valley train lines allow bicycles without difficulty. However, it is always best to check first and plan to travel off-peak.
Weather: This is Wales! The weather often changes quickly - especially as you reach higher elevations. Check the weather before you leave!
  Relevant Links:  

Map & Cue Sheet
provided by:
Disclaimer of Liability. Bike Wales™ and everyone associated with this website/blog accept no responsibility for the condition of the routes discussed. These are simply "suggested" routes of the National Cycle Network which, under some instances may be combined into longer rides. All photographs are taken from the actual route(s) by Bike Wales™ and represent the condition of the route(s) at that time. Any actions taken from reading the content herein, is solely the responsibility of the user(s).
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