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Maesteg is located at the northernmost end of the Llynfi Valley in the north of the Welsh county borough of Bridgend in the traditional county of Glamorgan. It is very close to the border with Neath Port Talbot county borough, and also to Rhondda Cynon Taff county borough. It has a population of some 17,830-19,223 people, with the surrounding area bringing the population to around 25,000 and thus is the 17th largest centre of population in Wales.

The town has been built, like so many others in this area of South Wales on its nineteenth century and early twentieth century legacy stemming from Iron Production and coal mining. At the height of its importance, there were six collieries operating in the town; with associated coal mining industries locating in Maesteg.

The earliest settlement in the Llynfi Valley is at the Bwlwarcau Iron Age Hill fort near to Llangynwyd Village which is around 2 miles to the south west of Maesteg Town centre. This places earliest human settlement in the area around Maesteg to more than 2,000 years ago. Imeadiately surrounding the Maesteg Area is significant evidence of settlement in the Bronze Age, which reaches back further in time, to nearly 4,000 years ago, in Carn Llechart, Crug yr Afan and Carn Bugail, there is also evidence of Neolithic settlement in this area of South Wales, in Penmaen Burrows in the Gower, and Maesteg is also close to Paviland in the Gower, where the oldest remains of humans have been found in the United Kingdom, dating from 26,350 years ago +/- 550 years; so there is significant evidence that the area around Maesteg has seen anthropological contact for a very long time.

Closer to modern times, the Romans established a settlement at present day Bridgend, and it could be assumed that they visited the Llynfi Valley as they also established a settlement at Neath, although the road that connected them was to the south of the Llynfi Valley as the topography is somewhat treacherous between Maesteg and Neath.

Maesteg remained until the start of the nineteenth century a small rural village, with areas of the town also as small villages with Llangynwyd as the principal village, as it has the oldest most developed infrastructure in the valley. Maesteg began to develop and expand as the techniques of the Industrial Revolution began to be applied to South Wales. Iron, which had always been known to exist in the area, was exploited with the opening of the Iron Works in the 1820s. This was fueled by coal seams which also existed in the valley. This was then transported to Porthcawl via railway where it could be taken by sea anywhere in the world. Another Iron works was set up in the late 1830s, and the two companies were soon bought up by Sir John Bowring in 1843. Bowring's tenure was a financial disaster and he left financial involvement in Maesteg by 1848, when he was put in charge of the British consulate in Canton, and he then became Governor of Hong Kong (1854-59).

Bowring has left a lasting legacy on the town; part of Nantyffyllon district was called Bowrington for a time during the nineteenth century; also John Street in Nantyffyllon was named after him, and Charles Row was named after his brother. There also exists the Bowrington Arcade, which was built at the end of the nineteenth century at the corner of Neath Road and Llynfi Road in the Town Centre.

By 1886, Iron making had ceased in Maesteg, coupled with a long depression during the 1870s, this marked a dark period in Maesteg's recent history; however, work in the coal industries had already began, with the sinking of Garth colliery by 1864 and another 5 collieries sunk before 1908.

This marked the largest expansion of Maesteg's population, with a greater number of people living in Maesteg at the start of the twentieth century than they do now at the start of the twenty-first. Coal mining was never expected to be an infinite resource, with closures of Garth and Bryn navigation in the 1930s and 1960s, as a natural result of running out of coal to mine. However, the National Coal Board closed Caerau and Coegnant before the Miners' Strike of 1982/1983. St John's was also closed before it's natural end. The legacy of the miner's strike is not as apparent as in other valleys which were arguably more economically reliant on coal, such as the Rhondda Valleys and Valleys further to the east. Nonetheless, there was still harsh economic hardship during the start of the 1980s for many of the population of Maesteg. There still remains strong (and sometimes visible) anti-Thatcher sentiment in Maesteg, similar to other areas in Great Britain affected in the same way by the Miner's Strike and its aftermath. Thus, Maesteg remains a Labour heartland in both general elections, where it lies in the constituency of Ogmore (which is one Labour's safest seats in the country), and Welsh Assembly elections, and also local county-level elections.

Since the demise of the coal mining industry in Maesteg, it has seen little, if any, heavy industry. Maesteg was little prepared for the closure of the mines in the 1980s and this lead to high unemployment which was exacerbated by the nationwide recession of the early 1990s. This unfavourable economic climate has become warmer in recent years; there are several large factories, one making cosmetics, another making rubber and another making insulation employ large numbers of people in the town. Service industries especially in the retail sector also employ large numbers of people. Maesteg has some nationwide retail chains, such as Woolworths, Boots and New Look, and also a Somerfield supermarket. Maesteg has also retained and encouraged small shops which are either stand-alone retail units or are of a limited chain existing elsewhere in South Wales.

Maesteg will probably never again develop any serious heavy industry because of its location, in terms of accesibility, as is the case with most other parts of the South Wales Coalfield; whilst the Llynfi Valley is the widest valley in South Wales, it only has room for one main road to traverse the length of the valley, for access to Bridgend and the M4 motorway.

There is a large proportion of people who live in Maesteg but commute to Bridgend (9 miles away) or to Cardiff (27 miles away).


 Trains: Maesteg is on the Maesteg Line


 Cinemas:
 Town Hall Cinema
       Talbot Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glam
       CF34 9DA
 01656 733269


 Maesteg Cricket Club
 Norths Lane
       Queen Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9YN
 01656 732099


 Football: Maesteg Park AFC


 Golf:
 Maesteg Golf Club
       Mount Pleasant
       Neath Road
       Maesteg
       Bridgend
       CF34 9PR
 01656 735742


 Libraries:
 Maesteg Library
       North's Lane
       Maesteg
       CF34 9AA
 01656 754835
 Mon 9.30 - 18.00
       Tue 9.30 - 18.00
       Wed 9.30 - 13.00
       Thur 9.30 - 18.00
       Fri 9.30 - 19.00
       Sat 9.30 - 17.00


 Rugby: Maesteg Celtic RFC
 Rugby: Maesteg Harlequins RFC
 Rugby: Maesteg RFC


 Pubs/Bars:
 Beethovens
       81 Castle Street
       Maesteg
       Bridgend
       CF34 9YL
 01656 738484

 Bird In Hand
       Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DL

 Blaenllynfi Hotel
       Caerau Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0PG
 01656 732058

 The Colliers Arms
       High Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0AS
 01656 738521

 The Coytharen Arms
       Bethania Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9PJ

 Cross Inn
       Maesteg Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9LB
 01656 732476

 Crown Hotel
       Crown Row
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0LG
 01656 732224

 Dick Pickles
       First Floor
       17 Commercial
       Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DF
 01656 733221

 Dylons
       St Davids Place
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9LR
 01656 730005

 The Duffryn Hotel
       Coegnant Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0TD
 01656 732273

 The Garn Inn
       1 Alma Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9AN
 01656 732516

 The Garth Inn
       Bridgend Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0NB
 01656 732028

 King Alfred
       1 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DF
 01656 739090

 The Malsters Arms
       Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DX
 01656 732231

 Masons Arms
       High Street
       Nantyffyllon
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0BW
 01656 732097

 Navigation Hotel
       Duffryn Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0SS
 01656 732141

 The Odd Fellows Rest
       200 Bridgend Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0NA
 01656 732073

 The Oddfellows Arms
       60 Tonna Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0RU
 01656 732069

 Prince Of Wales Hotel
       119 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DL

 The Queens Hotel
       69 Castle Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9YL
 01656 732159

 Railway Inn
       Station Road
       Llangynwyd
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9TF
 01656 732188

 The Rock Hotel
       79 Picton Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0HH
 01656 738311

 The Rookery
       Bridgend Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0AX
 01656733178

 Royal Oak
       Bethania Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9ET
 01656 810216

 Sawyers Arms
       3-6 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DF
 01656 734606

 Star Hotel
       144 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DW
 01656 734606

 Station Hotel
       Caerau Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0PB
 01656 732074

 The White Hart
       42 Bridgend Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0NN
 01656 738794


 Restaurants:
 Crystal Palace (Chinese)
       121 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DL
 01656 734993

 Mumtaz (Indian)
       118 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DL
 01656 736333

 The Ranch Steak House
       Bridgend Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0AX
 01656 733178


 Cafes:
 Cafe 21
       21 Talbot Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9BW
 01656 733270

 Imperial Cafe
       18 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DF
 01656 732928


 Take Aways:
 Al's Pizzeria
       128 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DW
 01656 730808

 Blue Pearl Takeaway (Fish and Chips)
       15 Talbot Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9BT
 01656 733112

 Chip Off the Old Block (Fish and Chips)
       120 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DL
 01656 730816

 Happy Wok (Chinese)
       Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9HJ
 01656 730888

 Maesteg Charcoal Grill
       25 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DH
 01656 735757

 Maesteg Tandoori (Indian)
       48 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9HJ
 01656 738555

 Midnight Moon Chop Suey House (Chinese)
       21 Bethania Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9ET
 01656 732038

 New City Takeaway
       251 Bridgend Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0NN
 01656 732363

 Peter Shack
       42A Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DH
 01656 732233

 Talbot Restaurant & Fish Bar
       1 Church Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9AA
 01656 733607

 USA Fried Chicken
       25 Talbot Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9BW
 01656 731811


 Children:
 Playdays Day Nursery
       53 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9HJ
 01656 733669


 Other:
 Catholic Social Club
       Parish Hall
       Ewenny Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9TP
 01656 732402

 Hibernian Social Club
       13 Llwydarth Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9EU
 01656 732291

 Leisureland Amusements
       North Library
       Talbot Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0NT
 01656 732445

 Maesteg Celtic Athletic Social Club
       Bridgend Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0NE
 01656 732030

 Maesteg Harlequins (Tir Iarll)
       25a Talbot Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9BW
 01656 732499

 Maesteg Sports Club
       Bridgend Road
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0AX
 01656 732044

 Maesteg Swimming Pool
       Alfred Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9YW
 01656 733073

 Maesteg Working Men's Club
       Temple Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9YY
 01656 732000

 The Royal British Legion
       123 Commercial Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DL
 01656 737203


 Taxis:
 Maesteg Radio Cars
       129-130 Commercial St
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DW
 01656 734987

 Park Cars Incorporated
       1 Church St
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9AA
 01656 730224

 Tiger Cabs
       97 Tudor Estate
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 0SP
 01639 884477


 Vets:
 Afon Veterinary Centre
       Llynfi Lane
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DS
 01656 737327


 Retail in Maesteg:
 ALDI Maesteg
       Llynfi Road
       Maesteg
       CF34 9DS
 0844 406 8800

 Argos - Maesteg
       3 Llynfi Walk
       Llynfi Road
       Maesteg
       Bridgend
       CF34 9DS
 0845 640 3030

 Tesco - Maesteg
       Castle Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9DS
 01656 683400


 Places of Worship in Maesteg:
 Our Lady & St Patricks RC Church
       Monica Street
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9AY
 01656 733282

 St Michaels Church
       Parish Office
       Brynmawr Place
       Maesteg
       Mid Glamorgan
       CF34 9PB
 01656 739796


 Schools/Colleges in Maesteg:
 Maesteg Comprehensive School (Secondary)
       Llangynwyd
       Maesteg
       Bridgend
       CF34 9RW
 01656 812700
 01656 812729

 Plasnewydd Primary School
       Castle Street
       Maesteg
       Bridgend
       CF34 9UN
 01656 732109

 St Mary's & St Patrick's Catholic Primary School
       Monica Street
       Maesteg
       Bridgend
       CF34 9AY
 01656 732349

 Ysgol Cynwyd Sant (Primary)
       Pen-Yr-Ysgol
       Maesteg
       Bridgend
       CF34 9YE
 01656 734235



 

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