Crosskeys

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Crosskeys
Crosskeys shown within the United Kingdom
Population	3092 (2001))^[1]
OS grid reference	ST225915
Principal area	Caerphilly
Ceremonial county	Gwent
Constituent country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Postcode district	NP11
Dialling code	01495 27
Police
Fire
Ambulance	Welsh
European Parliament	Wales
UK Parliament	Caerphilly
Welsh Assembly	Caerphilly
List of places: UK • Wales •

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

Crosskeys [1] is a small village in Caerphilly county borough in South Wales, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire.

1 Location
2 History & amenities
3 Melbourne connection
4 External links
5 References

[edit] Location

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

[edit] History & amenities

Crosskeys is a traditional South Wales Valleys community [2], 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 [3].

Additionally, it has a local rugby union team, Cross Keys RFC [4] [5], and consequently many different age-banded teams such as Youth and Mini rugby etc.

Crosskeys is close to the Cwmcarn Forest Drive [6], which, accessible on foot and by car, provides views of the hills in the area[7]. The Forest Drive also has extensive mountain-biking trails that are gaining nationwide recognition. 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 [8] is also easily accessible from Crosskeys. It is a base for walking or cycling with access to Flatwoods Meadows[9] 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[10] is an ancient mixed woodland.

Due to the Ebbw Vale railway line being restored, a new station at Crosskeys, among others is planned for 2008.

[edit] 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. The pub is known under many names such as "The Keys", "CK Lounge" and "The Moran" in reference to Jason Moran whom was shot dead at the Cross Keys hotel in 2003.