8. Big Pit

On your right you will see the main entrance to the Big Pit National Coal Museum, turn up this road. Entry to this attraction is free of charge. Big Pit opened in 1860 and mined coal. Coal was the lifeblood of the industrial revolution. It was used to make iron and steel and fuelled ships, locomotives and steam engines. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Big Pit was one of many collieries working in Blaenavon, and together they produced enough coal to make South Wales the world’s leader in coal production. When the pit closed in 1980 it was the oldest operating coal mine in south Wales. Today, as the National Coal Museum of Wales, it is famous for its museum and underground tour that lets you see what life was like at the coalface.

Continue up the road that passes the main reception and look out for the waymarked footpath to your left. Take this path.