Blaenafon

Settlement in Monmouthshire

Wales

Blaenafon

Blaenavon Ironwork The Foundry and Cast House in the Blaenavon Ironworks Museum. — Blaenavon Ironwork Credit: Philip Halling

Blaenafon is a small town located in the county of Monmouthshire, Wales. Situated in the South Wales Valleys, it lies approximately 10 miles northwest of the city of Newport. Blaenafon is surrounded by picturesque hills and is known for its rich industrial heritage.

The town gained prominence during the Industrial Revolution when it became a major coal and iron mining center. The Big Pit National Coal Museum, a former coal mine, is now a popular tourist attraction where visitors can learn about the town's coal mining history and experience what life was like for miners.

Blaenafon is also home to the Blaenafon Ironworks, a well-preserved 18th-century ironworks site that was once a leading producer of iron. Today, it is an important historical landmark and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The town itself has a charming atmosphere with its narrow streets and traditional Welsh stone houses. It offers several amenities including shops, pubs, and restaurants, catering to both locals and visitors. Blaenafon is also known for its annual events such as the Blaenavon World Heritage Day and the Blaenavon Male Voice Choir Festival, which showcase the town's cultural heritage.

In addition to its industrial past, the surrounding area offers beautiful natural scenery, making it a popular destination for hiking and outdoor activities. The nearby Blorenge mountain provides breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and is a favorite spot for paragliders.

Overall, Blaenafon is a fascinating town that combines a rich industrial history with natural beauty, offering visitors a unique and enjoyable experience.

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Blaenafon Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.765635/-3.0882082 or Grid Reference SO2508. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Blaenavon Ironwork

The Foundry and Cast House in the Blaenavon Ironworks Museum.

Philip Halling

Iron furnace

Iron furnace simulation in the Blaenavon Ironworks museum. This represents the burning coke which turned the iron ore molten in the furnace above. In this simulation there is a line in the floor which lights up representing the flowing molten iron.

Philip Halling

Ironworks simulation

The illuminated lines in the floor of the Cast House at Blaenavon Ironworks. This simulation represents molten iron flowing from the furnace in the background and forming pig iron.

Philip Halling

Truck Shop, Blaenavon Ironworks

The Truck Shop, the company shop for workers at the Blaenavon Ironworks. The portrait on the wall is of William Hill I, one of the leading partners of the ironworks.

Philip Halling

Minor road approaching Blaenavon

Minor upload road crossing open access land near Blaenavon.

Philip Halling

Minor road above Cwm Afon

Minor road above Cwm Afon just outside Blaenavon.

Philip Halling

Big Pit Mining Museum

The Big Pit was a working coal mine from 1880 to 1980 when it closed. In 1983 it opened as the Big Pit National Coal Museum.

Philip Halling

Big Pit Mining Museum

The Big Pit was a working coal mine from 1880 to 1980 when it closed. In 1983 it opened as the Big Pit National Coal Museum.

Philip Halling

The Pit Head, Big Pit

The pit head at the Big Pit National Coal Museum. The pit was a working coal mine from 1880 to 1980 when it closed. In 1983 it opened as the Big Pit National Coal Museum.

Philip Halling

Pit Head Baths, Big Pit

Philip Halling

St Peter's Church

Philip Halling

Rhymney Beers

Rhymney Beers, on a bridge carrying the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway over a road to the Big Pit National Coal Museum.

Philip Halling

A Post Office no more

As seems to be happening across the country these larger traditional Post offices are closing and being replaced by a smaller post office within another shop or business. This former PO is in Blaenavon. Here is a picture of the PO when it was open SO2508 : Blaenavon Post Office.

Philip Halling

Statue of Ken Jones

Sculpture of Ken Jones who was born in Blaenavon on 30 December in 1921. He won a Silver Medal at London Olympics in 1948 in the 4x100m and as a Rugby player won the Grand Slam in the Five Nations for Wales in the 1950s. The sculpture is by sculptor, Laury Dizengremel.

Philip Halling