Ashford Tunnel S Portal (Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal), Talybont-on-Usk, Powys

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.8847 / 51°53'4"N

Longitude: -3.2741 / 3°16'26"W

OS Eastings: 312405

OS Northings: 221449

OS Grid: SO124214

Mapcode National: GBR YV.RDHN

Mapcode Global: VH6C7.6WHK

Plus Code: 9C3RVPMG+V9

Entry Name: Ashford Tunnel S Portal (Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal)

Listing Date: 17 December 1998

Last Amended: 17 December 1998

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 21114

Building Class: Transport

ID on this website: 300021114

Location: Adjacent to the B4558, NE of Ashford Cottage.

County: Powys

Community: Talybont-on-Usk (Tal-y-bont ar Wysg)

Community: Talybont-on-Usk

Locality: Llanddetti

Traditional County: Brecknockshire

Tagged with: Canal tunnel

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History

Tunnel is 375yds (343m) long and is the only tunnel on the canal. The Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal was promoted in 1792 to connect the upper Usk valley with the Monmouthshire Canal at Pontymoile and from there to the sea at Newport. First section, between Gilwern and Talybont, was cut between 1797 and 1799, with upper section between Talybont and Brecon opened in 1800, both sections engineered by Thomas Dadford. Lower section between Gilwern and Pontymoile completed 1812 and engineered by William Crosley. Linked to tramroads, the canal was an important artery for trade in iron, lime and coal. In 1865 the Brecknock and Abergavenny and the Monmouthshire Canals merged to become the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, which was later incorporated into the Great Western Railway. Last toll was taken in 1933. Restoration of canal began 1964. Tunnel was re-opened after repair 1985.

Exterior

Small round arched portal of rubble sandstone with deep voussoirs and keystone, end piers, flat coping, no parapet. The canal narrows to single barge width at entrance. No towpath in tunnel, the boats were shafted through; path continues along top.

Reasons for Listing

Listed for the special interest of the Ashford Tunnel as one of the original engineered structures on the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal.

Group value with Ashford and Ashford Cottage.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

II Ashford Cottage
Set into the hillside above the B4558 overlooking the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, Ashford Tunnel and Ashford
II Ashford tunnel N Portal (Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal)
Adjacent to B4558, W of Ashford.
II Wenallt Upper Bridge (Canal Bridge No.141)
On the hillside W of B4558, near Lower Wenallt.
II Ashford
Close to the River Usk and below the road between Llangynidr and Talybont, reached by a sloping drive.
II Wenallt Lower Bridge (Canal Bridge No.140)
On the hillside W of B4558 NW of Llanddetty Hall Farm.
II Buckland Hall (aka Buckland House, Buckland and Crosfield House)
Set into the hillside on the lower W slopes of Buckland Hill with extensive views over the Usk Valley, surrounded by gardens, set within parkland and approached by 2 drives one to front of house and a
II Terraced steps in Buckland Hall Garden
The terraced garden runs to SW of Buckland House, these steps being towards the end nearest the house.
II Craiglas aka Graiglas
On the hillside above the canal SE of Talybont village and on the mountain road to Tor y Foel.

British Listed Buildings

History in Structure

Ashford Tunnel S Portal (Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal)

A Grade II Listed Building in Talybont-on-Usk, Powys