Blaenafon Ironworks | Cadw

Blaenafon Ironworks | Cadw
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Prices
Members - Free
Adult - £8.00
1st April
- 31st May
Book tickets
View all prices
Opening times
10am–5pm
30th March
- 1st November
View all opening times
Visitor information
NP4 9RN
Car park
Toilets
Wi-Fi
View all visitor information
visitor information
Visitor Notice
Please note:
The visitor entrance to Blaenafon Ironworks is located on Estate Road.
Giant of the industrial age still stands tall on the shoulders of its workers
Blaenafon changed the world. These hills on the edge of the
Bannau Brycheiniog (
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 Blaenafon 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.
Blaenafon 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.
How to visit
purchase your admission tickets on arrival or book online to save 5%*
view our opening times and prices below
check Welsh Government health & safety advice before visiting.
*Booking online guarantees the best price for your visit. Online ticket prices include a 5% discount and are non-refundable.
More about Blaenafon Ironworks
Gallery
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Sgwâr y Stac / Stack Square
Siop Cwmni / Company Shop
Mynedfa / Entrance
Arddangosfa / Exhibition
Sgwâr y Stac - Ystafell fyw/ Stack Square - Living Room
Sgwâr y Stac - Cegin / Stack Square - Kitchen
Sgwâr y Stac / Stack Square
Tŵr Cydbwyso / Balance Tower
Tŷ Bwrw / Cast House
Tŷ Bwrw - Dehongliad / Cast House - Interpretation
Tŷ Bwrw - Dehongliad / Cast House - Interpretation
Ffwrnais Chwyth / Blast Furnace
Dehongliad / Interpretation
Opening times & prices
Opening times
30th March
- 1st November
10am–5pm
2nd November
- 29th March
10am–4pm (Closed Mon-Thur)
Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January
Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Prices
Category
Price
Members
-
Join now
Free
Adult
£8.00
Family (2 adults & up to 3 children)
£25.60
Family (1 adult & up to 3 children)
£17.60
Disabled person and companion
Free
Juniors (Aged 5-17) / Student*
£5.60
Seniors (Aged 65+)
£7.20
Cadw £1 ticket – for those on Universal Credit and other named benefits
All children under 5 receive free entry.
*Student photo ID card is required to be shown on entry
Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces & Veterans receive 10% off
individual
admission (not available online).
Category
Price
Members
-
Join now
Free
Adult
£8.40
Family (2 adults & up to 3 children)
£26.80
Family (1 adult & up to 3 children)
£18.40
Disabled person and companion
Free
Juniors (Aged 5-17) / Student*
£5.80
Seniors (Aged 65+)
£7.50
Cadw £1 ticket – for those on Universal Credit and other named benefits
All children under 5 receive free entry
*Student photo ID card is required to be shown on entry.
Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces & Veterans receive 10% off
individual
admission (not available online).
Category
Price
Members
-
Join now
Free
Adult
£8.00
Family (2 adults & up to 3 children)
£25.60
Family (1 adult & up to 3 children)
£17.60
Disabled person and companion
Free
Juniors (Aged 5-17) / Student*
£5.60
Seniors (Aged 65+)
£7.20
Cadw £1 ticket – for those on Universal Credit and other named benefits
All children under 5 receive free entry.
*Student photo ID card is required to be shown on entry.
Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces & Veterans receive 10% off
individual
admission (not available online).
Visitor information
Access guide
Please read our accessibility guidance for information on how to plan your visit.
Blaenafon Ironworks — Access Guide
Car park
Car park (200 metres) with approx. 40 spaces is across a busy main road.
The footpath to the entrance is located opposite the Blaenafon Ironworks
car park
.
Dogs welcome
Dogs on leads are welcome but are not permitted into the cottages. Thank you.
Portable hearing
A portable induction loop is available.
Toilets
Visitor toilets are available at this site.
Walking difficulty
Terrain: Level 3 — Moderate
Exhibition
On-site exhibition within monument.
Gift shop
Gift shop at this site offering a range of products and guidebooks.
Refreshments
Light refreshments are available.
Venue hire
This site is available to hire for events, filming and exhibitions.
View Blaenafon Ironworks Ground Plan
Wi-Fi
Cadw free public WiFi available at this site.
Guidebook
Site guidebook available to
purchase online
and in selected visitor centres.
Drone policy
Please read our policy information about flying drones at Cadw monuments:
read the guidance
No smoking
Smoking is not permitted.
School visits
To book your free self-led education visit to this site, go to our
self-led education visits section
.
While you're there, check out our
free learning resources
to help with your time travel adventure!
Health & Safety
Parking is situated opposite the site, please use the one-way system that is in operation and take care when crossing the road (head towards the small gate).
Blaenafon’s industrial past is mapped across the landscape of this site with remains of cart tracks and groundwork commonly found within this type of environment. Please take care when exploring the area paying attention to changing ground levels.
The site includes a steep climb up to the top of the balance tower; the ground surface has been improved to support access to this area of the ironworks.
There are plenty of opportunities to stop on the way, including visiting the ironworkers’ cottages and the Truck Shop at the end of engine row.
Please ensure that you remain on the designated path, handrails have been provided for you. The site is popular with bird life including crows and pigeons, there may be large flocks of birds in and around the balance tower during your visit.
There are limited steps throughout the site and the majority of these are located within the workers’ cottages.
They are quite narrow and steep, as you would expect in a small cottage. Please take your time, use the handrails provided and kindly be respectful to others who may already be using the stairs.
The lighting may be dimmer here than outside, please allow time for your eyes to adjust.
The balance tower offers the best view at the very top of the site. Although very safe, please take caution when using with others, and do not climb over any of the protective edges, these are here for your safety.
Please do not feed the horses!
As with all ancient monuments there is always a risk of stones being dislodged in bad weather, however, we manage this through extensive monitoring.
Climbing may result in serious injury.
There are several wild plants and flowers, although these are great pollinators, they may be poisonous to visitors and animals, we strongly advise you not to touch or allow dogs to eat any vegetation.
Please watch our health & safety film before visiting Cadw sites.
Iechyd a Diogelwch / Health and Safety
Please report any anti-social behaviour such as climbing, setting fires, graffiti etc. to
CadwAccidentsReports@gov.wales
The following signs can be found around the site at key areas of risk, please pay attention where appropriate.
Slippery or uneven surfaces
Falls from height
Nesting birds
Falling masonry
Directions
Address
Blaenafon Ironworks
North St, Blaenavon NP4 9RN
For contractors, educational visits and deliveries please ring 01495 792615
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.
Telephone
03000 252239
Email
BlaenavonIronworks@gov.wales
Google Map
Road:
Via A4043, follow signs to Big Pit Mining Museum and Blaenafon Ironworks.

The visitor entrance to Blaenafon Ironworks is located on Estate Road.
The footpath to the entrance is located opposite the Blaenafon Ironworks car park.
Rail:
12km/8mls, Pontypool and New Inn, on the Manchester/Liverpool-Pontypool/Cardiff route.
Bus:
3km/2mls, route X24 from Newport via Cwmbran, Pontypool and Varteg.
Bike:
NCN Route No.46 (600m/656yrds).
Postcode NP4 9RQ
what3words: ///restores.scoots.composer
For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000 or National Rail Enquiries 03457 48 49 50.
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Related
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Cadw offers unique volunteering opportunities supporting our historic sites.
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