Llangiwg is a haven for wildlife and a breathing space for humans.

Social and other events

 Please click the events button to see forthcoming events.

Introduction

Llangiwg, the building and local area surrounding the old church, is of outstanding interest for many reasons. It is a symbol of the continuity of a community with all its social, cultural religious and historical associations.

The former church is situated on Barley Hill (locally known as “The Barley”) which is 688ft./206.4m above sea level. The town of Pontardawe lies about 1.5km to the south east and the building occupies a sheltered site on the side of The Barley with wonderful views over the local mountains all the way to Swansea Bay. The Barley reflects the agricultural nature of the area before the advent of industry in the late 18th and 19th centuries.

Access to the building

1. LOCATION
   National Grid Reference Number: 272380 205590, or,
2. GOOGLE MAP
   Use the Google map on our footer throughout this website,
3. Please note that the road from Pontardawe is unsuitable for motor vehicles due to poor road conditions and the severe gradient, so we suggest drivers use as the main route to Llangiwg the road to Cwmllynfell at Rhyd-y-ro (turn right at the Traveller's Well Public House on the main road between Pontardawe and Ammanford) 
4. SATNAV
   You could enter the following postcode into your SatNav: SA8 4TP (and please note that the road from Pontardawe to Llangiwg is unsuitable to motor vehicles)
   or,
5. DIRECTIONS
   There are three ways of approaching the church by road:
   1. Via the village of Rhyd-y-fro:
      This is the recomended route by car!   ...turning off Commercial Road, alongside the Travellers' Well Public House, proceeding for approximately 1 mile, then at the signpost marked Llangiwg turning right and proceeding for one third of a mile to the redundant church of Llangiwg.
   2. Only suitable for walkers:
      ...travelling from Pontardawe, turn off the B4603 at Ynysmeudwy on to the Old Road (Heol Hen), then turn into Llanguicke Road, past the community centre and up the hill along the narrow lane. Please note that this road is unsuitable for motor vehicles and has Neath Port Talbot highways warning sign as the road is in a very bad state of repair.
   3. An alternative walking route:
      ... is from the Welsh School at Alltycham Rd, Pontardawe, via the 100 steps and take the path through the golf course on to the church.

Having arrived, at the car park, we see the Pontardawe Golf Club below, and beyond to the West, magnificent views of Swansea Bay and Mumbles. To the north we can even see Pen-y-fan and the Brecon Beacons.

The Llangiwg Community Association

The church is now in community ownership, managed by a charitable company, The Llangiwg Community Association. The main purpose of the charity is to preserve and conserve the former church at Llangiwg for the enjoyment and benefit of the present and future generations.

The church is grade 2 listed and dates back to the 6th Century. The church was de-consecrated in 2004 and was purchased by the community in 2007. A community association (Friends of Llangiwg) was established in 2006, to promote social and community activity, with the Llangiwg Community Association formed in 2008 to undertake the responsibility of the building, its conservation and protection for future generations.

Part of this responsibility is to educate and to increase access to the church for the wider community, and through this, to increase awareness and to educate the local, regional and national community in the appreciation of the cultural, historic and natural environment of the area.