Cymraeg

Our history

Learn more about Glanaman and Garnant and rich industrial history
Close-up of a bronze relief sculpture depicting a miner working underground, wearing a helmet with a headlamp and holding a tool. The detailed texture captures the tough and confined conditions of coal mining, with additional scenes of community life and figures visible in the background.

Glanaman and Garnant – where legends meet landscapes

Tucked away in the Amman Valley, in the heart of Carmarthenshire, you’ll find the twin villages of Glanaman and Garnant — a place where ancient myths and industrial heritage live side by side.

Before the valley echoed with the sounds of coal mining, it was a land of shepherds, farmers, and storytellers. This is where the legend of King Arthur comes alive. In the old tale of Culhwch and Olwen, the mighty boar Twrch Trwyth is said to have thundered through this very valley, leaving behind tales that are still told today.

But it wasn’t just myth that shaped this place — it was coal.
A disused railway line running through a woodland area, flanked by dense trees on both sides. To the right stands a red-brick signal box with weathered windows, marked "Glanamman Station Signal Box," hinting at the area's industrial past. The scene is quiet and overgrown, showing nature gradually reclaiming the track.

From quiet valley to coal country

Everything changed in the 1840s when the Llanelly Railway arrived, opening up the valley to the world. Beneath the hills lay thick seams of anthracite coal, and soon Glanaman and Garnant were booming.

The Gellyceidrim Colliery opened in 1891, employing over 600 men at its peak. The valley bustled with miners, steam engines, tinplate works, chapels, and the local cinema — affectionately known as Shew Sam. Rows of miners’ cottages filled the hillsides, and every corner of the community pulsed with energy.
Two people standing beside a tree, looking out over a lush green valley filled with trees, fields, and a distant village nestled among the hills near Glanaman, Carmarthenshire. Wind turbines are visible on the hilltops in the background.

The end of an era, the start of another

By the mid-20th century, the coal seams began to run dry. Nationalisation in 1947 changed the industry, but by 1957, Gellyceidrim Colliery had closed. Slowly, one by one, the mines fell silent.

Yet, the valley’s story didn’t end there.

Locals turned to the land once again — this time, not to dig, but to create. The coal tips that once towered over Glanaman are now part of Gelliwerdd Country Park, a peaceful spot for walkers and nature lovers. In Garnant, a former opencast site has been transformed into Garnant Golf Club, now one of Wales’ most scenic courses.
A colourful row of shops and houses along a street in Glanamman, Carmarthenshire. Brightly painted buildings, including a pharmacy and cafés, line the roadside, with cars parked along the kerb. A traffic light and pedestrian crossing are visible in the foreground, adding to the feel of a small but lively village centre.

Glanaman and Garnant today – a valley worth exploring

Today, Cwmamman (the name for the wider valley) is a haven for walkers, cyclists, history buffs, and anyone who loves the outdoors. Its industrial past is remembered through heritage trails, storyboards, and local voices that still share the tales of the valley.

Whether you want to:

  • Walk the old railway lines.
  • Discover Bronze Age cairns.
  • Follow the audio heritage trail.
  • Explore the beauty of the Brecon Beacons.

…you’ll find something special here.

So why not visit? The valley is ready to welcome you — past, present, and future.