Crosskeys

For other uses, see Cross Keys (disambiguation).

Coordinates: 51°37′01″N 3°07′15″W / 51.6169°N 3.1207°W / 51.6169; -3.1207

Crosskeys
Crosskeys  Crosskeys shown within Caerphilly
Population	3,092 (2001))[1]
OS grid reference	ST225915
Principal area	Caerphilly
Ceremonial county	Gwent
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	NEWPORT
Postcode district	NP11
Dialling code	01495 27
Police	Gwent
Fire	South Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
EU Parliament	Wales
UK Parliament	Caerphilly
Welsh Assembly	Caerphilly
List of places: UK • Wales • Caerphilly

Crosskeys is a small village in Caerphilly county borough in Wales.

Location

Crosskeys is seven miles north west of Newport, just past Risca off the A467 road. Located near to the confluence of the Ebbw River and the Sirhowy River, it was originally called Pont-y-cymer. The name 'Crosskeys' is taken from the name of the local hotel.^[2]

History & amenities

Crosskeys is a South Wales Valleys community [1], within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire, once part of the coal mining community of the South Wales coalfield, now a quiet area complete with a residents' society. It has a large park in the lower part and listed buildings in neighbouring Pontywaun, which is normally considered as part of Crosskeys.

Many of the secondary school pupils attend nearby Cwmcarn High School. It is also home to Coleg Gwent's Crosskeys Campus [2].

Additionally, it has a local rugby union team, Cross Keys RFC [3] [4], and consequently many different age-banded teams such as Youth and Mini rugby.

Crosskeys is close to the Cwmcarn Forest Drive [5], which, accessible on foot and by car, provides views of the hills in the area[6]. The Forest Drive also has extensive mountain-biking trails that are gaining nationwide recognition^{[citation needed]} There is a large local park toward the lower part of the village. The park is home to the local cricket club, again with age-banded youth teams as well as the men's team. There is also a well equipped park and a multiple-sports facility.

Sirhowy Valley Country Park [7] is also easily accessible from Crosskeys. It is a base for walking or cycling with access to Flatwoods Meadows[8] Local Nature Reserve. There is also mountain bike trails, a traditional working hill farm that is open to school visits and a small farm trail. Nearby Craig Coch[9] is an ancient mixed woodland.

Due to the re-opening of the Ebbw Valley Railway, Cross Keys railway station was one of six stations opened on the line in February 2008.

Melbourne connection

A pub / hotel in suburban Melbourne, Australia was named after the South Wales village. It is rumoured among pub locals that the original owner was from Crosskeys.

External links

• Crosskeys website has many pictures of the area.
• Cross Keys Silver Band The Cross Keys Silver Band Official Website.
• Welsh Coal Mines - every pit, all the history
• Crosskeys Rugby Football Club website All you need to know about Cross Keys RFC.

References

1. ^ , 2001 Census: Census Area Statistics: National Statistics. UK government. Retrieved 10 August 2007. Includes the village of Cwmparc in its figures.
2. ^ The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales page 178, John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) ISBN 978-0-7083-1953-6