IMWA 2023 will offer Mid Conference Excursions on Wednesday 19th July. Please select these during your booking process.
Tour 1 – Sponsored by Geochemic
Morning – Taff Merthyr / Taff Bargoed Regeneration Scheme
A visit to the mine water management scheme with reed beds; Taff Bargoed Park (Green Flag status). The Coal Authority are keen to promote the fact that this type of scheme has provided an excellent outdoor facility for the community, walking cycling trails and bridle paths. The site is also home to Aberfan canoe club, who use the lake for international competitions. In addition it has a small log cabin type café and the area has become a haven for wildlife, and welcomes a large variety of bird life to the site.
The Coal Authority manage 24 mine water schemes across Wales but this one is a really good example and is the largest in Europe, also can provide other activities such as the Rock UK Climbing Centre (good for families).
Afternoon – Rhondda Heritage Park
Lunch, then a simple guided tour of the colliery and underground.
Tour 2
Morning – A round of Coal Tip Recovery sites
This part of the trip will take you to the best sites en route to Merthyr to ensure more time on site and less time on the coach. Site visits may include landslide examples.
Afternoon – Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr Tydfil – Penderyn Whiskey Distillery
Nearby we also have the wonderful Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, www.cyfarthfa.com which established itself as the iron capital of the World in the 18th Century. It sits in 160 acres of parkland with formal gardens with tea room, a lake, children’s play area and model railway. It’s set on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park with a view of Pen-y-Fan. We will allow you time to explore the Castle and its grounds before taking you to the renowned Penderyn Distillery where you will be taken on a tour of the premises.
Tour 3
Morning
The tour will begin with a visit to Cardiff Castle, situated right in the heart of the city before a short walk to the National Museum & Galleries of Wales. Once you have had time to take in the Museum we wil take you on a boat ride down to Cardiff Bay where we will provide Lunch.
Afternoon – St Fagans Museum
This visit will allow you to view a vast array of buildings reconstructed on site that map the history of Wales.
Tour 4
Morning – Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly Castle is a medieval fortification in Caerphilly in South Wales, famous for its leaning tower – indeed it leans more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.. The castle was constructed by Gilbert de Clare in the 13th century as part of his campaign to maintain control of Glamorgan, and saw extensive fighting between Gilbert, his descendants, and the native Welsh rulers. Caerphilly is famous for its cheese too!
Afternoon – Big Pit, Blaenavon
An opportunity to explore Big Pit and including an underground tour of an excellent example of a working pit. Lunch in the pit canteen.