Members of the local community at Cynghordy near Llandovery came together earlier this month to celebrate the unveiling of a blue plaque at the iconic Cynghordy viaduct, which forms part of the acclaimed Heart of Wales railway line.

The plaque was funded by Llanfair-ar-y-Bryn Community Council, and unveiled at the event by Cefin Campbell MS, Plaid Cymru MS for Mid & West Wales.

The unveiling was chaired by Cllr Handel Davies (Llandovery) with fellow members of Llanfair-ar-y-bryn Community Council as well as representatives from Network Rail and Heart of Wales Line Development Company also present.

Cefin Campbell MS (left) and Cllr Handel Davies in front of the blue plaque
Cefin Campbell MS (left) and Cllr Handel Davies in front of the blue plaque (Image supplied)

Completed in 1868, the 18-arch curved viaduct was built by Scottish railway engineer Henry Robertson and is an iconic structure along the Heart of Wales Line between Swansea and Shrewsbury.

The viaduct was awarded Grade II listed status in 1966, and in 2022 the Cynghordy viaduct circular walk gained global recognition, with the ‘Explore Worldwide’ travel company listing the site the second best underrated attraction in Europe.

The iconic viaduct was completed in 1868
The iconic viaduct was completed in 1868 (Image supplied)

The viaduct plaque is a first for Cynghordy and the latest in a line of historic designations recently celebrated by the local community in the Llandovery area, including three blue plaques to commemorate Vicar Prichard, The Bank of the Black Ox and The Tonn Press along with the William Williams Pantycelyn sculpture in Llandovery. 

The event also allowed the opportunity to recognise the walking trail information board recently positioned under the viaduct and funded by Llandovery Town Council which is one of several similarly installed along walking routes in the locality to better promote and highlight the area’s rich local history.  

Speaking following the unveiling of the plaque, Cefin Campbell MS said: “It was an immense privilege for me to unveil this plaque at what truly is one of Carmarthenshire and Wales’ most spectacular hidden gems.

“To think this engineering marvel was built over 150 years ago is truly remarkable, and it continues to be such a treasured landmark on the renowned Heart of Wales Line for so many visitors and locals – a testament of the remarkable achievements of those who came before us.”

The viaduct plaque is a first for Cynghordy and the latest in a line of historic designations recently celebrated by the local community in the Llandovery area
The viaduct plaque is a first for Cynghordy and the latest in a line of historic designations recently celebrated by the local community in the Llandovery area (Image supplied)

Cllr Handel Davies added: “I’m extremely grateful to Llanfair-ar-y-Bryn community council for funding this signage, and to all who came to see it unveiled.

“The son of a railway worker as a ‘Cyw Cynghordy’ I was born and raised in the shadow of the viaduct in Cynghordy, it means so much to me to see this iconic structure, a terrific feat of engineering appropriately recognised. The plaque and information board will be a welcome addition to the area, helping educate local residents and visitors alike for generations to come about the history of the viaduct.”