Gwaith Haearn Blaenafon / Blaenavon Ironworks
About Gwaith Haearn Blaenafon / Blaenavon Ironworks
The most complete surviving early ironworks anywhere in the world.
Gwaith Haearn Blaenafon / Blaenavon Ironworks Description
Established in the late eighteenth century, Blaenavon Ironworks was one of the leading Welsh ironworks and played a key role in the technological development of the iron industry during the Industrial Revolution. From its outset Blaenavon Ironworks was one of the most productive in the world, and helped cement Wales’s reputation as the very first industrial nation.
Under the care of Cadw and free to all visitors, Blaenavon Ironworks boasts remains of all of the key physical attributes used for the Iron making process, alongside original refurbished workers cottages. Fused with modern day interpretation, the site offers visitors a unique insight into the working and social aspects of industrial life in the 19th century.
The site is located in the heart of the Blaenavon landscape, which was awarded World Heritage status in 2000. The area around Blaenavon is one of the best examples in the World of a landscape created by ironmaking and coal mining. In the major preserved sites of Blaenavon Ironworks and Big Pit, together with the outstanding relic landscape of mineral exploitation, manufacturing, transport, and settlement which surrounds them, can be seen evidence of all the crucial elements of the industrialisation process.
The Ironworks was also the setting for the award-winning BBC television series Coal House and Coal House at War. In October 2007 three Welsh families were transported back to the south Wales coalfields of the 1920s. The Stack Square cottages were transformed into authentic 1927 coal mining family homes. In October 2008 this series was followed by Coal House at War where three new families were transported back to the Second World War era conditions of 1944. This time they were joined by evacuees and Bevin Boys. Two cottages from each series remain on site for visitors to experience.
SITE FEATURES
• Cast House
• Blast Furnace
• Restored Water Balance Tower
• Foundry
• Blowing Engine
• Calcining Kilns
• Free audio-post tour
• Company ‘truck’ shop
• Model and Exhibition area
• Refurbished Ironworkers Cottages
• Coal House and Coal House at War Cottages
• Cast Iron Pit Ponies
FACILITIES
• Gift shop
• Free parking
• Dedicated disabled parking on-site
• Cycle stands on-site
• Toilets
Dogs on leads welcome
OPENING TIMES
Admission is FREE to all visitors. Last admission is half an hour before closing. Educational and group visits should be booked in advance.
Summer Season: 1st April – 31st October
Daily 10: 00am – 5: 00pm
Winter Season: 1st November – 31st March
Friday 9: 30am – 4: 00pm
Saturday 9: 30am – 4: 00pm
Sunday 11: 00am – 4: 00pm
For more information call: 01495 792615
Reviews
Helfa'r Pasg 2- - 21 Ebrill 2-19 10am - 4pm Gwaith Haearn Blaenafon
Easter Egg Trail 20 - 21 April 2-19 10am - 4pm Blaenavon Ironworks
Bydd safle Gwaith Haearn Blaenafon ar gau hyd at 07 Ebrill 2019, gan fod rhaglen ddrama yn cael ei ffilmio yma ar gyfer y BBC. Bydd y safle yn ail-agor ar Dydd Llun 08 Ebrill 2019.
http://ow.ly/3Jl230ogkHO
Bydd yn rhaid talu i ymweld â Gwaith Haearn Blaenafon a Baddonau Rhufeinig Caerllion o 1 Ebrill fel rhan o’n diweddariad blynyddol o brisiau mynediad ac aelodaeth.
Bydd y newidiadau hyn yn ein helpu i gynnal, gwarchod a gwella safleoedd hanesyddol Cymru. http://ow.ly/J6hV30oaZAK
Blaenavon Ironworks and Caerleon Roman Baths will become paid-entry sites from April 1st as part of our annual update of admission and membership prices.
These changes will help us to guard, maintain and improve Wales’s historic sites. http://ow.ly/Bikf30oaZuX
Some of our sites are closed today due to the weather. Please phone our sites ahead of your visit today. Apologies for the inconvenience.
Tintern Abbey, Kidwelly Castle, Chepstow Castle, Castell Coch, Beaumaris Castle, Castell Coch, Caerphilly Castle, Caerleon Amphitheatre, Raglan Castle and Blaenavon Ironworks are currently closed.
Apologies for the inconvenience. https://bit.ly/2G3lR7j
Mae rhai o'n safleoedd ar gau heddiw oherwydd y tywydd. Ffoniwch ein safleoedd cyn eich ymweliad heddiw.
Mae Abaty Tyndyrn, Castell Cydweli, Castell Cas-gwent, Castell Coch, Castell Caerffili, Amffitheatr Caerllion, Castell Rhaglan, Gwaith Haearn Blaenafon a Castell Biwmares ar gau ar hyn o bryd.
Ymddiheuriadau am yr anghyfleustra. https://bit.ly/2CdsKjx
We are launching a new website and we need your views on our current site; please complete our online survey to help us deliver the past in a digital future… ow.ly/c2Lg30n4wui
Rydym yn lansio gwefan newydd ac mae angen eich barn arnom ar ein safle bresennol; llenwch ein harolwg ar-lein er mwyn ein helpu i gyflawni'r gorffennol mewn dyfodol digidol ... ow.ly/JCju30n4wlD
Did you know that the guidebook for our site, as well as guidebooks for lots of our historic sites, can be purchased from our new online shop?
Grab yours as a belated Christmas gift today! http://ow.ly/TBsI30n7auA
Mae Siôn Corn yn Gwaith Haearn Blaenafon / Blaenavon Ironworks y penwythnos hwn - dyma eich cyfle olaf i archebu ymweliad i ymweld ag ef yn y safle yfory
http://ow.ly/MoaM30n5cwo
Santa Claus is at Gwaith Haearn Blaenafon / Blaenavon Ironworks this weekend - it's your last chance to book your visit to visit him in his grotto tomorrow!
http://ow.ly/Fw3A30n5cpW
Your last chance to visit Santa’s grotto at our historic sites is at Blaenavon Ironworks!
Every weekend until Christmas! http://ow.ly/J23O30mWBLy
Eich cyfle olaf i ymweld â groto Siôn Corn yn ein safleoedd hanesyddol yw yn Gwaith Haearn Blaenafon!
Pob penwythnos tan Nadolig!
http://ow.ly/Kktq30mWBzZ
nice day out for all ages. nice to learn and see things from the iron days. recommended day out
Well worth the journey go on a dry day as good walk around which may become slippy stones underfoot
We came to the steam punk event at the Ironworks this weekend. It was a delight. It was really good to see the place being used to host this and open it up to people who might not otherwise come to the Ironworks. The mix of out and out battiness and fun together with the unique historical backdrop worked a treat.
It casts a whole new light on the place when there are belly dancers strutting their stuff in the square. I relished the obvious delight and joy that the steampunks brought with them and just how inclusive it is. I am struggling to think of a cultural stream that is as open and welcoming to all ages, genders and abilities. I loved their infectious enthusiasm and pride in what they do.
Both of us have a background in the heritage sector and found it a joy to see the place humming with this alternative energy. We were both really impressed by the light touch of the curation of the houses which felt both welcoming and really engaging and informative. Thank you.
This weekend was my second visit to Blaenavon as part of the WW1 event and I have to say it was the best weekend I've had for ages. The venue is fantastic, the visitors were interested and interesting and the company was second to none! It was fabulous and I can't wait for next year!
Really worth the trip great day filled with wonder and history .. was pouring with rain but still a wow factor day
Really interesting place to visit, lots of information available in a variety of formats. Fascinating to visit the houses of the workers and find out about their families and their lives.
Lovley place to go and very friendly staff
Lovely visit to the Ironworks. Lots of history for the children & a great walk. Thanks for organising the Easter Egg trail. Our little boy enjoyed finding the clues. Very welcoming ladies at reception with lots of knowledge to share.
It's a brilliant place to go and see the past bought back to life. The rooms where a family of ten would share with another family in shifts. The recreated shop and the amazing Iron Works rescued from demolition. Now restored to give an insight into the world of the beginning of the Industrial Age. Blaenavon Iron Works changed the world. Literally, iron went out and it was transported across the whole world. It is part of the Heritage Site which includes the Heritage Centre down the road and the town itself. It is definitely worth a visit and much more fun than the Big Pit which has coach loads of tourists and very boring tea room. Lunch in the Heritage Centre is far better. Then you can drive up to the Blorenge Mountain and visit Keepers Pond on the way. Lots in wonderful views and great walks to enjoy.
It was much more than I expected and the place gave a real feeling of life in the past abs what people endured. A great atmosphere and a lovely friendly, helpful, knowledgeable lady in the reception/shop. A great day! Davina
It is a really enlightening experience!!
I was amazed at the vastness of the site and the history of the cottages and works.
I'll never take my child to any other Santa. Absolutely fantastic venue and atmosphere. And only £3 �
Great place to visit,very interesting. Workers cottages through the years are so good! Friendly staff as well, keep up the good work cadw. 😊
Great day out very interesting place full of history !
Fantastic place, so much to see in such a small area! Loads of information and it gets you out.
Definitely worth a visit! Lovely friendly staff and so much to do, learn and explore. My children love the little cottages! :-)
Can't rate this place highly enough. Free admission , helpful staff and so much to explore. Took 3 toddlers and they had a blast! We will be back soon.
As a first timer to your expedition I was in absolute awe of the outfits worn and all the stalls. The pantomime was funny and the atmosphere splendid. I want to go again next year and if courageous enough dress up for it. Thank you all xxx
Amazing day out with the family at the steam punk weekend very polite and friendly people and to top it off fantastic weather