a couple and a dog walk on a canal towpath
Enjoy a canal walk at Goytre Wharf in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park

A little bit of a trip down memory lane. Somewhere lurking on Facebook is a photo or two of a Fairwater Infants (maybe juniors) class from the early 80s on a school trip to Goytre Wharf.

Canal barges at Goytre Wharf
Canal barges at Goytre Wharf

This is part of the Cwmbran Life On Tour series- an occasional spotlight on things to do or visit.

It’s 8.5 miles from Cwmbran. Parking is £2 for all day- the machine takes cash and cards. The number 23 Stagecoach bus from Cwmbran stops at Goytre Hall which is a 14-minute (0.6 mile) walk from the wharf- please check timetables for up-to-date information.

The wharf has got everything you need for a day out- fresh air, wildlife, local history and a lot of boat-watching 🙂

a canal with several barges

I visited last Saturday. You’re going to see the colours change through the seasons- so it’s a cracking place to visit at any time of the year.

Goytre Wharf is now a spot where holidaymakers, day trippers and the lucky people who live on boats enjoy spending time on the water.

But for the rest of us, it’s a place where we can enjoy being outdoors that’s just up the road from Cwmbran- and even more obviously, up the canal from us. So if you want to make a full day of it, you can use the towpath to walk or cycle.

Built in the 19th century, this attraction in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park has over 200 years of history waiting to be discovered.

Make sure you take a look at the historic lime kilns. Coal and limestone from nearby mines and quarries were processed in the hot kilns before being transported on the canal.

The lime kilns at Goyre Wharf
The lime kilns at Goyre Wharf

We weren’t feeling too energetic so chose to follow the marked-out looped woodland walk from the car park that took us to a bridge over the canal and onto the towpath where we headed back towards the wharf (about 15-20 minutes) and under the aqueduct.

Walking slowly along the towpath was my favourite bit as I could have a good nose at the boats. We did a lot of daydreaming but decided a life on the water wasn’t for us. DIY isn’t my thing, and the thought of living on a boat that needed to be decorated or repaired would fill me with fear.

Our pit stop was Penelope’s Cafe and we sat inside in the area set aside for dog owners.

tables and chairs inside a cafe
Penelope’s Cafe at Goytre Wharf

There are also several picnic benches outside where you can sit overlooking the wharf and boats.

We settled for a couple of cappuccinos and shared a chocolate caramel shortbread (£9.45 total) It was a lovely couple of hours out of the house ending with a nice relaxing drink, snack and chat.

a selection of cakes
The selection of cakes at Penelope’s Cafe in Goytre Whaft

There are public toilets on the side of the cafe.

The cafe is also a gift shop and information point where you can pick up lots of information about other attractions in the area.