Blaenavon Ironworks
Visitor Notice
As of Monday 14 December all staffed and unstaffed monuments will be closed until further notice.
This is following the announcement of the closure of all outdoor attractions in Wales.
For further information on the Welsh Government’s written statement: Updated Covid-19 control plan for Wales, please visit: gov.wales/written-statement-updated-covid-control-plan-wales
Until we can welcome you back in person, why not explore our 3D world of Cadw sites ...
Overview
Giant of the industrial age still stands tall on the shoulders of its workers
Blaenavon changed the world. These hills on the edge of the Brecon Beacons were rich with coal, limestone and iron ore — the fuel of the Industrial Revolution.
From here Wales heaved and belched and blasted itself onto the global stage. Welsh iron fashioned trailblazing engines, tools and machines. It built bridges, ships and railway lines. In short it made the modern world.
In 1789 Blaenavon Ironworks first harnessed the power of steam to blow air into its huge blast furnaces. A century later it was here that Sidney Gilchrist Thomas transformed the world’s steel industry by inventing a method to remove phosphorus from iron ore.
The ruined furnaces are still visible today alongside the impressive remains of the foundry, cast house and water balance tower that raised wagons 80 feet into the air.
Blaenavon was run by great, and often ruthless, industrialists. But it would have been nothing without its workers. Explore their authentically furnished cottages and the recreated ‘truck shop’ where they spent their meagre wages.
Their story, told through cutting-edge interpretation, lies at the heart of an industrial landscape so unique it’s been made a World Heritage Site.

Blaenavon Ironworks Guidebook
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Prices & Tickets
Facilities
The disabled toilet is accessed via a ramp.
Car park (200 metres) with approx. 40 spaces is across a busy main road.
Dogs on leads welcome to access ground floor levels of the site.
On-site exhibition within monument.
Gift shop at this site offering a range of products and guidebooks.
Site guidebook available to purchase online and in selected visitor centres.
Cadw do not allow drone flying from or over its guardianship sites, except by contractors commissioned for a specific purpose, who satisfy stringent CAA criteria, have the correct insurances and are operating under controlled conditions.
Smoking is not permitted.
A portable induction loop is available.
Light refreshments are available.
Visitor toilets are available at this site.
To book your free self-led education visit to this site, follow these simple steps in our self-led education visits section.
While you're there, check out our free learning resources to help with your time travel adventure!
This site is available to hire for events, filming and exhibitions.
Directions
Postcode NP4 9RQ
For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000 or National Rail Enquiries 03457 48 49 50.
Contact us
Telephone 01495 792615
Email
BlaenavonIronworks@gov.wales
North St, Blaenavon NP4 9RN