Coryton Heritage Trail
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Photo: Pip Beattie, Community
LADY CORY FIELD
Lady Cory gifted the field to the poeple of Cardiff for the purpose of football, cricket, and games and recreation.
OLD CARDIFF RAILWAY CUTTING
The Cardiff Railway was the brainchild of the rich and powerful Marquis of Bute who wanted to break the Taff Vale Railway's (TVR) near total monopoly on coal transportation from the Rhondda valley mines.
The minted Marquis owned Cardiff Docks along with several mines in the Rhondda valley and clearly wasn't too keen on the TVR grabbing a slice of his profits.
In an attempt to set up his own line for transporting coal, the Marquis purchased the Glamorganshire and Aberdare Canal in 1885 with the aim of closing both and converting them to railways.
GLAMORGANSHIRE CANAL
The Glamorganshire Canal began its life when construction started in 1790. Being watched over by the wealthy ironmasters of Merthyr Tydfil, including Richard Crawshay of the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, the canal was thought up as a solution to the issue of transporting the goods (iron ore, coal and limestone) from the valleys to Cardiff, where they would be shipped around the world.
MELINGRIFFITH WATER PUMP
During the few miles approaching Cardiff, the Glamorganshire Canal suffered from severe water shortages, resulting in goods not arriving in Cardiff on time. To solve this problem, a water pump was introduced in Melingriffith, with the main purpose being to provide water to the canal from the River Taff. Located not far from the Melingriffith Tinplate works located directly between the River Taff and the Glamorganshire Canal, it was built in 1807.
Track types
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Start on Pendwyallt Road at the gate to Lady Cory Field.
Enter the field and walk along the northern edge of the triangle and follow the path down into the Railway Cutting.
Walk approximately 0.9km along the Railway Cutting, affectionately known as The Enchanted Forest by locals.
At the northern end of the railway cutting, at the big bridge take the steps leading up to the left.
At the top of the steps, walk forward just a few meters, down a little bank and then turn right. Follow this trail as it winds its way left down some steps to the Glamorgan Canal.
Turn left, with the canal on your left, and walk 1.3km.
At the south end of the canal (w3w: ///public.pills.keep) walk through the wooden gates and follow Forest Farm Road to the left.
Do not go up the hill, follow the low path to the right onto Ty Mawr Road.
After approximately 200m the Melingriffith Water Pump will be on the right.
Retrace your steps back to the south end of the canal.
Now follow the right hand path which gently climbs up above the canal. In 290m you will reach an obvious junction. The left path runs parallel with the west edge of the Northern Meadow. The middle path takes you straight into the Northern Meadow. Turn right to follow the Heritage Trail loop.
At the end of the path you will pass over an old railway bridge, turn right and follow the path down towards Lady Cory Field and the end of the loop.
Coordinates
Equipment
Wellies will be required after heavy rainfall as the trail gets very wet and muddy.
Weather at the route's trailhead
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