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Blaenavon's Heritage

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Heritage

 
Blaenavon Ironworks
 
The water tower and cottages at the Ironworks located in the Blaenavon World Heritage Site

Blaenavon's Heritage

Blaenavon’s Heritage was recognised as being internationally significant in 2000 when it was awarded prestigious World Heritage Site status.

Blaenavon was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution and the iron and skills developed here were exported around the world. The landscape and town were shaped by the iron industry; the quarrying of limestone, the mining of coal and ironstone, the capturing and piping of water, and the tramways and paths used to move the minerals and final product around the area.

Blaenavon is unique in having so many rich reminders of the area’s industrial past and these are all brought to life by people who are passionate about the area. A visit is a unique, enthralling and fun experience!

Key places to visit include:

- Blaenavon World Heritage Centre|

- Blaenavon Ironworks|

- Big Pit: National Coal Museum|

- Blaenavon's Heritage Railway|

- Blaenavon Community Heritage & Cordell Museum|

- Blaenavon Heritage Town|

The whole of the surrounding landscape pays testament to the lives of the people of Blaenavon – so stop and enjoy the views as you travel to or from any of our great attractions.

 

Things to Do & places to visit

Carn-y-Gorfydd

Carn-y-Gorfydd
Description:
This circular walk, starting at Carn-y-Gorfydd (Cairn of the Battle), takes you through a Site of Special Scientific Interest with an abundance of wildlife
Type:
View point, Walk/cycle Route
Telephone:
01495 742333

Blaenavon Heritage Town

Blaenavon Heritage Town
Description:
The 19th century town centre of Blaenavon contains a number of impressive public buildings alongside a diverse range of shops, businesses and public amenities.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
Heritage site
Telephone:
01495 742333
Address:
Broad Street

Coity Tip Trail

Coity Tip Trail
Description:
The Coity Tip Trail is a short walk around an old waste tip, which will teach you more about the wildlife, plants and natural habitats of industrial wasteland.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
View point, Walk/cycle Route
Telephone:
01495 742333

Blaenavon's Heritage Railway

Blaenavon's Heritage Railway
Description:
The Heritage Railway is the highest standard gauged preserved railway in England and Wales. It passes the picturesque Garn Lakes and commands spectacular views of the Industrial Landscape.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
Heritage site, View point
Telephone:
01495 792263
Address:
Furnace Sidings, NP4 9SF
Website:
www.pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk

The Keeper's Pond

The Keeper's Pond
Description:
The Keeper's Pond, formerly a 19th century industrial reservoir, is now a local beauty spot ideal for visits during all four seasons.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
Country Park, Heritage site, View point, Walk/cycle Route
Telephone:
01495 742333
Address:
Abergavenny Road (B4246)

Welsh Gifts

Welsh Gifts
Description:
Traditional gift shop, retailing Welsh gifts, clothing, jewellery, love spoons, books, CDs and DVDs
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
Shop
Telephone:
01495 792555
Address:
97 Broad Street, NP4 9ND
Website:
www.welshgifts.co.uk

Blaenavon Ironworks

Blaenavon Ironworks
Description:
Blaenavon Ironworks was the setting of the BBC series Coal House. It is the best preserved 18th Century ironworks in the world and contains much to interest visitors of all ages.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
Heritage site, Museum
Telephone:
01495 792615
Address:
North Street, NP4 9RN
Website:
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Blaenavon Community Heritage and Cordell Museum

Blaenavon Community Heritage and Cordell Museum
Description:
The Community Heritage and Cordell Museum provides a deeper insight into the work of the author Alexander Cordell and is a treasure trove of artefacts and historical records relating to Blaenavon's past.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
Museum
Telephone:
01495 790991
Address:
Lion Street, NP4 9QA

Blaenafon Mountain Tours

Blaenafon Mountain Tours
Description:
Blaenafon Mountain Tours offer guided walks and mountain biking within the Blaenavon World Heritage Site.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
Heritage site, View point, Walk/cycle Route
Telephone:
01495 793123
Address:
80 Broad Street, NP4 9NF

Mynydd y Garn Fawr

Mynydd y Garn Fawr
Description:
This heather-clad mountain walk takes you across the landscape between the Foxhunter Memorial and Llanover Road
Type:
View point, Walk/cycle Route
Telephone:
01495 742333

Big Pit: National Coal Museum

Big Pit: National Coal Museum
Description:
Big Pit offers the unique experience of going underground to learn about coalmining. If you don't wish to go underground, there is plenty to see and do on the surface too.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
Heritage site, Museum
Telephone:
01495 790311
Address:
Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon, NP4 9XP
Website:
www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit/

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal
Description:
The picturesque Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal illustrates one of industrial Britain's most important forms of transport. Today, the canal is ideal for walking and cycling alongside.
Type:
Canal, Heritage site, Walk/cycle Route
Website:
www.goytrewharf.com

Whistle Stop Tour

Whistle Stop Tour
Description:
This walk takes you through a unique post-industrial landscape, passing through the picturesque Garn Lakes Nature Reserve – created during an extensive land reclamation project in the 1990s
Type:
View point, Walk/cycle Route
Telephone:
01495 742333

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape Walks

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape Walks
Description:
The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape has a number of published walks available, leading people to all parts of the World Heritage Site.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
View point, Walk/cycle Route
Telephone:
01495 742333

Walking

Walking
Description:
Enjoy a variety of walks in the Blaenavon World Heritage Site, from a quick walk around the Garn Lakes to combining several walks for a whole day of exploration.
Type:
Walk/cycle Route
Telephone:
01495 742333

Goytre Wharf to Blaenavon Landscape Circular Walk

Goytre Wharf to Blaenavon Landscape Circular Walk
Description:
This strenuous circular walk takes you from Goytre Wharf, where you can see historic lime kilns and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, back to the Blaenavon World Heritage Site
Type:
View point, Walk/cycle Route
Telephone:
01495 742333

Blaenavon Town Walk

Blaenavon Town Walk
Description:
This circular walk, starting at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre, takes you around the historic town centre of Blaenavon
Type:
View point, Walk/cycle Route
Telephone:
01495 742333

Blaenavon Workmen's Hall

Blaenavon Workmen's Hall
Description:
The historic Blaenavon Workmen's Hall bears testament to Blaenavon's proud social history. Today it continues to provide entertainment and leisure through its many facilities.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
Heritage site
Telephone:
01495 792661
Address:
High Street, NP4 9PT

The Iron Mountain Trail

The Iron Mountain Trail
Description:
The Iron Mountain Trail is the most important walk in the Blaenavon Walks Pack. It takes you on a circular journey around all of the significant features that constitute the World Heritage Site.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
View point, Walk/cycle Route
Telephone:
01495 742333

Saint Peter's Church

Saint Peter's Church
Description:
St. Peter's Church is the earliest industrial church in old Monmouthshire. It contains a number of interesting features, which bear witness to the importance of the iron industry in Blaenavon.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
Heritage site
Telephone:
01495 790292 (Vicar)
Address:
Church Road

Blaenavon World Heritage Centre

Blaenavon World Heritage Centre
Description:
Start your visit to Blaenavon at the World Heritage Centre, where the story of Blaenavon and all of its attractions is told. It also contains the Tourist Information Centre.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
Heritage site
Telephone:
01495 742333
Address:
Church Road, NP4 9AE

The Railway Shop

The Railway Shop
Description:
On a dull wet day in looking down Blaenavon, try at the bottom of Broad Street (the main commercial street in town) for an oasis of warmth and brightness and there you will find the Society shop.
Location:
Blaenavon
Type:
Shop
Telephone:
01495 792263
Address:
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Society, 13a Broad Street, NP4 9ND
Website:
www.pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk
 
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