Pontygwaith | The Works Bridge
This lovely bridge can be found in the Taff Valley in Wales.
how it's used in Merlin
Pontygwaith is the bridge under which Uther and Catrina have a picnic in episode 205 Beauty and the Beast. Which makes perfect sense, because if you're going to take a troll on a romantic picnic, you take them somewhere they'll feel at home… like, under a bridge. This is a particularly graceful bridge, though, and more worthy of Catrina's human incarnation rather than her true form.
the place itself
The current stone bridge was built in 1811, replacing an earlier wooden bridge. The name comes from the fact that the bridge enabled people in the village of Pontygwaith to walk to work in a nearby factory.
There is nothing to do here other than admire the bridge, but as it's nice in its own right, and is in a lovely setting, you may like to include it in your next Merlin Locations Tour. The Taff Trail crosses the bridge, so you may like to visit it while walking or cycling in the area. Unfortunately for us, however, the actual location where Uther and Catrina sat (to the south of the bridge) is private property, so of course we mustn't trespass - though I see that the property, Pontygwaith Farm, has hosted open days for its gardens, so you may strike it lucky if you're there in summer.
To find the bridge, if you're driving, head north from Treharris along the A4054 (Cardiff Road). Turn left into a small (unnamed) road before you reach the next town along (Merthyr Vale) - there is a bus stop at the turning. Follow the road down to the river. The bridge itself is for foot or cycle traffic only.
Screen capture courtesy of wherethewind.
links and details
tags and rating
I really like this place, and I loved the scene they used it in. But you may keep in mind I am a sucker for elegant engineering, particularly when it comes to bridges, so I may be overly enthusiastic. I'm giving it four pointy hats.
how it's used in Merlin
Pontygwaith is the bridge under which Uther and Catrina have a picnic in episode 205 Beauty and the Beast. Which makes perfect sense, because if you're going to take a troll on a romantic picnic, you take them somewhere they'll feel at home… like, under a bridge. This is a particularly graceful bridge, though, and more worthy of Catrina's human incarnation rather than her true form.
the place itself
The current stone bridge was built in 1811, replacing an earlier wooden bridge. The name comes from the fact that the bridge enabled people in the village of Pontygwaith to walk to work in a nearby factory.
There is nothing to do here other than admire the bridge, but as it's nice in its own right, and is in a lovely setting, you may like to include it in your next Merlin Locations Tour. The Taff Trail crosses the bridge, so you may like to visit it while walking or cycling in the area. Unfortunately for us, however, the actual location where Uther and Catrina sat (to the south of the bridge) is private property, so of course we mustn't trespass - though I see that the property, Pontygwaith Farm, has hosted open days for its gardens, so you may strike it lucky if you're there in summer.
To find the bridge, if you're driving, head north from Treharris along the A4054 (Cardiff Road). Turn left into a small (unnamed) road before you reach the next town along (Merthyr Vale) - there is a bus stop at the turning. Follow the road down to the river. The bridge itself is for foot or cycle traffic only.
Screen capture courtesy of wherethewind.
links and details
- relevant page on a site about the Old Merthyr Tydfil
- the Wikipedia entry for the village
- the location on Google Maps
tags and rating
I really like this place, and I loved the scene they used it in. But you may keep in mind I am a sucker for elegant engineering, particularly when it comes to bridges, so I may be overly enthusiastic. I'm giving it four pointy hats.