The centre of Miskin is a very nice square dominated by the War Memorial and Miskin Arms pub with a small green and a lodge.
The War memorial commemorates the residents of Miskin who were killed or missing in World War I (9 names) and World War II (4 names). Unusually the names of those that served (and returned alive) from World War I are also listed.
It was made by the firm of W. Clarke of Llandaff who also built the memorial in Pontyclun. Work commenced on March 14th, 1919. The Portland stone it is made from was transported by rail to Ely station in Cardiff and then hauled overland from there.
Work took about 3000 hours with 17 men employed at one time or another on the work (plus the time to haul the stone from Cardiff).
The work was completed by 3rd October, and the Imperial War Museum says it was officially unveiled on 17th April 1920.
Mrs Williams of Miskin Manor was billed by Clarkes for the work; a sum of £344 and 6 shillings (about £10k in today’s money)
The Miskin Arms public house is first recorded in 1871. It is a grade 2 listed building with 2 storeys and 3 bays. Over the years several extensions have been added to the side of the main building and the rear has a large extension overlooking the car park and countryside behind.
In that countryside, beyond the railway line sit the remains of a Roman auxiliary fort dating back nearly 2000 years.
The square itself has a couple of quirky historic features including a listed phone box which whilst it has insignia for King George VI was installed in 1955, three years after Queen Elizabeth came to the throne. It has now been repurposed to house a defibrillator.
Across the road sits a George V Post box.
Just off the square lies St David’s Church. This was built in 1907 using funds raised by public donations and from fund-raising events.
Visitors wanting to go off route a bit to see some more local history can follow the lane between the “lodge” and the history sign and then going straight on down the road in front until you reach Miskin Manor Cricket club and then later Miskin Manor itself. Both are worth a visit if you have time.
