Discover Cross Hands: Art Deco and railway heritage

Cross Hands tells the story of mining and railways through more than dates: an Art Deco public hall, murals with mining motifs and the end point of the Swiss Valley Cycle Route offer tangible connections to the town’s history. A stay here therefore combines culture and activity—a different focus from a day centred solely on nature trails.

Art Deco, mining and the name Cross Hands

The present-day Cross Hands Public Hall was built in 1920, replacing the original building, in a striking Art Deco style. It is one of three buildings of this style in Wales. The hall is also a landmark at the end of the Swiss Valley Cycle Route: the route ends in Cross Hands by the Public Hall and the cinema.

Cross Hands developed around the former Cross Hands Colliery, which opened in 1869. This should be distinguished from New Cross Hands Colliery, which was the northernmost terminus of the Llanelly and Mynydd Mawr Railway. The railway opened in 1883 and connected the colliery with the coal-loading facilities at Mynydd Mawr on the docks of Llanelli. It operated until 1966. Together, these milestones show how closely the town’s history is connected with coal mining and transport.

You will also encounter the mining theme in the townscape. The Cross Hands mural is on the side of Squires and Lane Hairdressers on Llandeilo Road. A mural in Cross Hands features motifs such as the Mynydd Mawr Miners Lamp and a marsh fritillary butterfly. Art and industrial history thus offer different ways of engaging with the town’s past.

Another local story leads to the stone at Garreg Hollt. A short detour from the Swiss Valley Track takes you to the stone beside the path. According to local tradition, it gave Cross Hands its name; “Split Stone” is the translation. One legend says that Owain Glyndwr struck the stone with his sword. This is explicitly a traditional story, not a verified historical event.

A railway line turned into a trail, and a cinema in town

The Swiss Valley Cycle Route is a walking and cycling trail that follows a disused railway line. The route is 98.2 percent traffic-free. Its course and endpoint make it a fitting subject for anyone who wants to consider railway heritage not only as part of the town’s past, but also include a walk or cycle ride in their travel plans.

At the end of the route, Cross Hands Cinema is next to the Art Deco Public Hall. The cinema usually screens blockbusters and smaller films three times a week. If a particular film screening is a factor in your stay, check the schedule in advance. This lets you treat the town’s history and a cinema visit as different parts of the day, without making the outing about just one theme.

Nature trails at Llyn Llech Owain Country Park

Llyn Llech Owain Country Park has nature trails. Many paths there are well surfaced and accessible to wheelchair users. The rare peat bog surrounding the lake is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This makes nature trails and a protected habitat a distinct focus alongside Cross Hands’ industrial and railway heritage.

A local find on Carmarthen Road

The Welsh Slate and Gifts Boutique is on Carmarthen Road in Cross Hands. Its slate gifts are made from Welsh slate from Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales. If the boutique is a specific reason for your visit, check in advance whether it is open.

When looking for a holiday rental in Cross Hands, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip. If you want to centre your stay on local history, Art Deco and stories about mining and railways, Cross Hands offers several tangible themes. For days spent on nature trails, Llyn Llech Owain Country Park offers a separate focus for an outing. This distinction makes it easier to choose a destination without inferring anything about the facilities or features of individual properties from the town’s characteristics.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Cynghordy, Laugharne, Myddfai, Llanelli, Llanwrda, Gwynfe, Llangunnor, Nantgaredig.

For the wider travel overview: Carmarthenshire.