The New Inn in Merthyr Mawr and the story of Cap Coch | Historic Pubs of Wales | Episode 2

If you love history, or know the Bridgend and Merthyr Mawr area, you must watch this amazing, 12-minute video about our most notorious, highwayman and murderer and all his deeds down at the Dipping Bridge.
Welsh author & historian Graham Loveluck-Edwards visits the site of the New Inn in Merthyr Mawr (in Glamorgan / South Wales) for the second instalment of his ‘Historic pubs of Wales’ series of videos. He recreates the scene as it was in its heyday, and it includes the story of the pub’s most notorious inn keeper. A mass murdering 18th century highway man known as Cap Coch. This video tells his story as best we know it and interrogates how likely it is to be true.
It also looks at issues of real crime and social history from Wales and wider Britain in the 1700s. Such as the causes of poverty & lawlessness, the problems of apprehending a murderer and solving crimes in the 18th century (UK). It also includes an old map of the area and discusses issues of transport and travel in what was known as ‘the golden age of coach travel’, along the old Roman / Antonine road (the Via Julia Maritima) which preceded the introduction of the turnpike.
This video is an episode in the Historic Pubs of Wales series. Written, presented and published by Welsh author and historian; Graham Loveluck-Edwards. Author of the book 'Historic Pubs of Wales' which is published by Candy Jar Books LTD (Cardiff). In this series of short videos, I examine a moment in Welsh history from the perspective of our ancestors, when they were propping up the bar in a pub which was at the heart of the action. These are the stories I gather from visiting some of the oldest and most interesting pubs in Wales. I hope you enjoy them. And if you do, please subscribe to this channel and share them on social media.

[@jimmymorrison8314]

Excellent video. This closes nicely a story I would get from my Grampa as a kid. He lived in Ogmore by sea and loved telling me all the stories of the local area and, I in turn have told my kids, who especially loved the story of Cap Goch. Thank you.

[@GrahamLoveluck]

My pleasure

[@coraljackz]

Great video, diolch! We're heading that way to do some filming soon and you've made us want to walk the Glamorgan Ridgeway 😉

[@GrahamLoveluck]

Enjoy it. The views are stunning

[@laracraft82]

We only went walking there the other day and sat by the ruins of the castle and had a picnic there. My husband was born in Bridgend and new all the stories from his parents again born in Bridgend ❤😊

[@GrahamLoveluck]

There are so many great ones

[@Matropolis]

Quite a horrific history but very intriguing. Shame there’s nothing left of the inn as I’d have liked to have seen it. Great video 👍

[@GrahamLoveluck]

I know. Beautiful place even without the inn though

[@tonnurserychristaylor669]

This is very well researched. Thank you for all your hard work

[@GrahamLoveluck]

Thank you

[@melysmelys2622]

I believe that there was a primary school in Aberdare called Capcoch.

[@GrahamLoveluck]

Wow! I didn’t know that

[@cymro6537]

Great video,well researched and presented. Diolch yn fawr ✨👍

[@GrahamLoveluck]

Croseo

[@alanmaidment5937]

A very interesting and informative video. Was Cap Coch one of the earliest British serial killers? Almost certainly.

[@jimmymorrison8314]

The goblin stone is in a private chapel very near to the site of the old inn.

[@GrahamLoveluck]

It is. I was once lucky enough to be shown round that old chapel when I was little. It’s part of the Merthyr Mawr estate.

[@jimmymorrison8314]

@@GrahamLoveluck it's a beautiful spot isn't it. I have to admit that our visits, though very respectful, were much more clandestine.

[@jonnywebb5794]

Very good! I’d just like to say I grew up with direct descendent of red cap who still lives in Porthcawl. They still have his gun chest in the house. I bet that could tell a few tales!

[@GrahamLoveluck]

Wow! that sounds amazing

[@Nick-vu9yu]

Am I right in thinking the exact location is not known?

[@GrahamLoveluck]

It is believed to be somewhere under the entrance to Merthry Mawr house as the drive was extended during the tenure of the Nichols family. But exactly where, you are tight to say, is unknown

[@GrahamLoveluck]

@Chris Wings It 🇺🇦 I reckon you are right