Embedded Files
Please credit any reproduced-content
Photo : Blackpill Station on the Mumbles Railway, before the road is made into a dual carriageway,. Photo Late 1950s.
Editors Note: Changing boundaries: West Cross developed during the 20th Century and before that time, according to the censuses, houses now designated as in West Cross would have been addressed: Norton, Blackpill or Mayals.
More: West Cross > More: Norton > More: Newton
The Mumbles Train - such a colourful scene. Photo: copyright Rev. R A Evans, late 1950s
The Mumbles Railway, leading to Blackpill Station and Woodland Terrace opposite, before the road is made into a duel carriageway. Photo: late 1950s
The Railway Bridge at Blackpill
L&NW Railway Bridge at Blackpill (ref Fond Memories Of Swansea). In 1922 the LNWR was subsumed into the LMS (London, Midland & Scottish); the LMS was subsumed into British Railways in 1948 (ref: Story of Mumbles).
The Mumbles Train travelled under the main line railway bridge, with one of the many WW2 Bunkers which dotted the area on the right. After 1940, The Mumbles Home Guard, remembered by Grafton Maggs, who was only 16 years old at the time, patrolled the area.
The whole line was closed 1964 and the overgrown track bed was made into footpath and cycleway from Blackpill to Gowerton in the early 1980’s. (ref: Story of Mumbles).
Mumbles Road, British Rail Station, Blackpill, c.1950
Video
Video
This link takes you away from this site
Blackpill, junction of Mumbles Road with Derwen Fawr Road on the right, c.1965
Photo: posted by Michael Edmonds on Swansea History Society, 24 September 2023
It's taken a few years after the BR railway closed in June 1964, as the railway bridge has been taken down but before they widened the road and flattened the embankment on the left (between the golf course and the lido). The embankment on the right side of the road lasted until the late 80s until that was flattened and replaced with the car park. Incidentally access to the Mumbles Road is still the same at this point and still without traffic lights! Edited comments by Dave Duford).
. . . are famous internationally for their superb collections of Rhododendrons and other rare plants. It offers a haven of tranquillity, lush planting and interesting features on its 45 acres.
Clyne Gardens has a host of varied features including an historic castle, romantic tower, Clyne Chapel, a bluebell wood, a picturesque cottage and Italian and Japanese bridges.
There is limited parking and disabled parking at the main entrance by the Woodman Pub on the Mumbles Road.
Woodland Terrace Blackpill and the shop, Police Station and Post Office. Photo: 1940s from BHS.
Woodland Terrace Blackpill and the shop, Police Station and Post Office. Photo: 1950s from BHS.
Blackpill Shop, Police Station and Post Office. Photo: BHS.
Blackpill School
Originally called Oystermouth Board School, Black-pill [sic] it eventually became known as Blackpill School . . .
Old School House
Old School House
Blackpill School, now 'The Old School House,' with Vivian Hall alongside. October 2016
Blackpill Local History Society
Details concerning our Meetings >
For further information contact
Bob Cuthill Tel: 01792 208907 / 07816 111013
or email bobcuthill47@btinternet.com
2018, marked the Centenary of the building of the Vivian Hall on Mumbles Road, Blackpill.The Hall is organised a number of special events over the year.
Find out more about the Valley's heritage
Worth a look -
Clyne Valley Community Project
This link takes you away from this site.
The Clyne Valley is a diverse area with
over 700 acres of land stretching from the sea
at Blackpill, in Swansea, northward to Dunvant.
WW2 - The Gower Stop Line >
(From The Clyne Valley Community Project)
This lists the sites of many of the bunkers in the area, including those at Blackpill and in the Clyne Valley.
Philip Barrow presents an illustrated talk entitled 'The Gower Stop Line.'
Contact Philip Barrow on 07725854396
edited by Carol Powell
... the front of the engine and blow the warning whistle. I was born in Blackpill and the trains went right past.
The Mumbles Railway: The route from Blackpill to Oystermouth >
The route taken and motive power, had changed several times over the years.
Do You remember Lloyds Garage?
Do You remember Lloyds Garage?
D. Lloyd & Co. Blackpill Garage
It was called 'Lloyds', by most locals and was modernised several times over the years
Before the motor garage business, which many of us remember, Lloyds were Coach and Carriage Builders.
Clyne Castle, Blackpill
Clyne Castle, Blackpill
by Eric Thomas .. I had been away!
1926: Admiral Algernon Walker-Heneage-Vivian, of Clyne Gastle, Blackpill, Swansea, C.B., M.V.O
Thomas Beckett: Head Gardener of Clyne Castle >
by Haydn Griffiths
When the Admiral died, the staff at Clyne Castle,
Blackpill, dispersed, the days of the private residence,
being virtually over.
Thomas Beckett: Head Gardener of Clyne Castle >
by Haydn Griffiths
When the Admiral died, the staff at Clyne Castle,
Blackpill, dispersed, the days of the private residence,
being virtually over.
by Iris David
Valet to Graham Vivian who was then 75 and living at Clyne Castle, at Blackpill. This was a job for a single man, because it entailed much travelling.
A video produced by Peter Hall
YouTube link
https://youtu.be/AoMpPhL8nE4
Owner of Clyne Castle, Blackpill, Swansea
A video produced by Peter Hall
YouTube link
https://youtu.be/Hag1d5Gvv-k
Exploring Mill Lane, Blackpill
Exploring Mill Lane, Blackpill
From Robert Dickie Rhodes
The Medieval corn mill, is pictured here in 1854, with adjoining miller's house. It was fed by Brockhole stream and dates back before 1319. Today it is the site of the Mumbai Indian Restaurant.
Mill Lane, undated
Mill Lane, 1890
Mill Lane, 1925
Old Mill Restaurant, c. 1960
The Woodman Inn, Blackpill, 1941
Woodman Inn, 2013
Local Roads
The bridge was repaired within the last 10 years, when it was said to have been constructed in the C18. However, there are records documenting its existence in the C17, which is explained
Swansea Castle and town.
by Carol Powell MA
The road between Blackpill & Mumbles explored
Lilliput Hall
Lilliput Hall, Blackpill
by Carol Powell
A little way beyond Blackpill on the seaward side of the main road to the Mumbles, stood picturesque Lilliput Hall ...
Sidney Davies, age 77, who grew up at Lilliput Cottage, said in 2021, 'I still enjoy the view from the nearby seat, when I return home.'
THe Grange, Blackpill
THe Grange, Blackpill
Rev. Samuel Davies decided to build a new house on his property, which would be more in keeping with his position and chose a site nearer the turnpike road, with good sea views.
... At The Grange, on the Mumbles Road between Blackpill and West Cross. My Grandmother, Ada Noyes, ladies maid (photo) was so proud . . .
The Blackpill area in wartime
The Blackpill area in wartime
The Anti-Tank Blocks at Blackpill Station
The anti-tank blocks extended intermittently along the shore, from Blackpill to Norton.
From Blackpill to Caswell
WW2 - The Gower Stop Line >
(From The Clyne Valley Community Project)
This lists the sites of many of the bunkers in the area, including those at Blackpill and in the Clyne Valley.
Philip Barrow presents an illustrated talk entitled 'The Gower Stop Line.'
Contact Philip Barrow on 07725854396
Find out more about the Valley's heritage
Worth a look -
Clyne Valley Community Project
This link takes you away from this site.
The Clyne Valley is a diverse area with
over 700 acres of land stretching from the sea
at Blackpill, in Swansea, northward to Dunvant.
Two planes at Blackpill, one crashed. Photo: M A Clare
The photo shows two planes nearby at Blackpill, with one being crashed.
The beach at Brynmill was used for pleasure flights by The Afro Company which flew from Brynmill, Swansea 1919 -1920 . Their exploits are Mentioned here - http://www.crossandcockade.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=204&title=avro-transport-company-19191920
Extract: The pilot in charge - Swansea/Brynmill (Captain FGM Sparks), The Avro Transport Company ceased trading in 1920 due to the decrease in interest in joyriding.
Brynmill Sands (Swansea) was recorded the status of an Airfield
Used by Civil trafic between 26 July 1919 - 1920s. - Currently Disused. Landing surface - Unpaved
Ref: Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust - https://abct.org.uk/
Mill Lane, Blackpill, c1860
Childhood memories of a Nonarian >
by Olive Gluyas nee Whale
Blackpill, where my father had built a bungalow near the old railway, called ‘The Olives,’ which still stands today.
Blackpill Tithe Map, 1844
by Sandra Haynes
Sandra has lived in Australia since 1975, but who remembers with affection her holidays in Blackpill just after the war
Blackpill, Mayals, Clyne Common and Clyne Valley, from the air
An aerial photo of Blackpill, August 2007, by Peter Morgan
Information for Birdwatchers at Blackpill
Information for Birdwatchers at Blackpill
An extract from - 'Where to watch Mediterranean Gull' by R.J.Howells - http://medgull.free.fr/pages/blackpill.php
The foreshore at Blackpill lies at the heart of the Swansea Bay SSSI - established as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for birds in 1986 ( wildfowl, waders and gulls ) - extending from Brynmill in the NE to Norton in the S. As the tide rises, the birds roost at the water's edge after feeding on the exposed sands between High and Low Tide. Blackpill is at the apex of the Bay and is the last area of shore to be flooded. The marine invertebrate life in the mixture of mud and sand on the beach provides a rich source of food for birds.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse