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  1. Industrial Archaeology
  2. Metal Industries of Wales

Aberdulais Tin Plate Works

The site at Aberdulais Falls on the Dulais River near Neath in Wales has been a scene of industry since the time of Queen Elizabeth I when the German Engineer Ulrich Frosse set up a copper works on the site circa 1584. Ever since the late 16th Century, the narrow gorge at the mouth of the Dulais River has been at the heart of the Welsh Industrial history, thanks to its plentiful supplies of coal, timber and in particular water.

Copper-smelting gave way to ironworking, the milling of textiles and grain and – most significant of all – the manufacture of 19th century tinplate using raw materials sourced from Cornwall across the “Severn Sea”.

The Aberdulais Tin Works site was acquired by the National Trust in 1980 who have worked to conserve and interpret the remains as well as using the fast flowing water as a source of hydro electric power.
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  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    The Tin Time Line at the entrance to the Aberdulais Tin Works.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    The Old Works Library (OWL) was used as a school room to educate the children working at the tin-plate works. It has also been used as a Baptist chapel, social centre, and a Doctor's Surgery from 1915 to 1968. In 1968 it became a meeting place for old age pensioners. In 1989 it was converted into a tea rooms by the National Trust.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    View of the works from near the entrance.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    "Tin Town" interpretation board

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    The Stable houses the Tinworks exhibition which shows a film taken at another south Wales tinplate works during the 1950s as well as a range of artefacts.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Replica tramway wagons used on the tramway linking the works with the Tennant Canal which connected with the Port of Swansea.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    View from the tramway bridge towards the works.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    View from the tramway bridge towards the works.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    View from the tramway bridge across the gap left by the collapsed span.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    A tramway linked the works with the Tennant Canal which connected with the Port of Swansea. Only one span of the two span bridge survives the furthest span having been swept away by floods.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Replica tramway wagons used on the tramway linking the works with the Tennant Canal which connected with the Port of Swansea.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Replica tramway wagons used on the tramway linking the works with the Tennant Canal which connected with the Port of Swansea.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    L2015_3678

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    View towards the entrance - stables on the left, visitor centre in the middle and the Old Works Library on right.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    L2015_3676

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    L2015_3675

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    L2015_3674

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    L2015_3673

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    L2015_3672

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Site of the tin rolling stands.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    The round object is a "Wobbler" used to transmit movement from a waterwheel.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Conservation work in progress.

  • Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall - August 23, 2015

    L2015_3668

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