Making

Entrance to Royal Mint Visitor Center

The Heritage Hiker’s Guide to the Royal Mint. History in the Making. Coins

What are Coins? Coins are usually flat pieces of metal which have been officially stamped to be used as currency in exchange for goods and services. A Brief History of Coins. The notion of person-to-person trading begins very early on in the human story where it is easy to see how early tools may have […]

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View overlooking Pontypool

The Heritage Hikers Guide to Pontypool. History in the Making. Japanware

What is Japanware? Japanware is modelled on the look of varnished and lacquered decorative arts from the Far East. In the beginning of the 17th century the first attempts were made to imitate imported Oriental decorative objects. The look became extremely popular in the 18th century following the ‘Age of Discovery’ and the opening up

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Nantgarw House

The Heritage Hiker’s Guide to Nantgarw China Works. History in the Making. Porcelain.

History of Nantgarw China Works Nantgarw China Works is one of the most important industrial heritage sites in Wales. Between 1813-1814 and again between 1817-1820 the finest porcelain in the world was produced here by William Billingsey and Samuel Walker. Due to a very low firing success rate and expensive production costs success was short

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The Heritage Hiker’s Guide to Hensol Castle. History in the Making. Gin.

History of Hensol Castle Hensol Castle was originally built in the late 17th/ early 18th century as a country mansion. The house was remodelled in 1735, extended before 1815 and remodelled again in 1840 taking on a military gothic style of a castle. The castle is set within a landscaped park with lake and tree

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