Blaenafon

The People of Blaenafon (alternatively spelt Blaenavon)* were a huge driving force in shaping the history of Blaenafon, synonymous with the Industrial Revolution. Along with the coal mines and iron works came wealthy owners who helped boost the population of Blaenavon by offering a fair wage for working in either industry. The area and population developed along with the building of schools, churches and recreational establishments. At one time Blaenafon, having a population of 12,500, could boast over 70 public houses!

Unfortunately the boom did not last, and as industries died, the town fell into decline. Many of the local residents emigrated leaving just half the population to witness and live through the hard times that followed.

Attractions for visitors to Blaenafon include the Blaenafon Ironworks where you can see the Ironworks, Water Balance Tower, Furnaces, Casting Houses and the Ironworker’s Cottages. The Blaenafon Workmen’s Hall was built and paid for in 1894 by the local workforce, it now houses a concert hall and a small cinema. St. Peter’s Church, built by Ironmasters Thomas Hill and Samuel Hopkins in 1805, is unusual in having a cast iron font and pillars, and close by is St. Peter'’ School which was established for the children of the workers.

The Big Pit National Mining Museum offers visitors the opportunity to descend 90 metres below ground and has a guided tour of the historic mine workings by ex-miners. Close to the Museum is the Pontypool and Blaenafon Railway, which runs restored steam and diesel engines. The Lion Hotel is a grade II listed building, which was one of Blaenafon’s first residential hotels, damaged in the 1868 riots, when disturbances were witnessed across the country.

Blaenafon is a town that stands tall and proud – well aware of its significant role in the development of the world, as we know it today.

Blaenafon as World Heritage Site

Not only has the town and surrounding landscape been inscribed by UNESCO in 2000 as a World Heritage site, bearing testimony to a turning point in human history, the Industrial Revolution. The radical changes, which began in places like Blaenafon, affected land, technology and daily life around the world – changes that still affect every one of us today.

Countless people of the town have in the past greatly contributed to the evolution of society through their input into technology, politics and philanthropy on an international stage

About our Museum

The Blaenafon Community Heritage & Cordell Museum has been established in order to ensure that the story of Blaenafon has a place in the town’s history. Members of the community have proudly donated most of the artifacts and treasures that are on display.

The refurbished building which is now the home of the Blaenafon Community Heritage & Cordell Museum was originally the Town Hall of Blaenafon.

Alexander Cordell

Retrace the footsteps of Alexander Cordell’s characters, visiting some of the original sites featured in his Welsh novels. Let your imagination be guided back to the mid 19th Century, alongside the key characters. Four tours cover the area that inspired these writings and will help you bear witness to what moved Alexander to write so passionately.

Tour No. 1 takes you around Blaenafon, the heart of Cordell Country to the picturesque town of Abergavenny. You will witness the rolling countryside of the Vale of Usk and the landscape and treasures of the industrial valleys. Take in the sights and sounds of the Ironworks which now form part of the World Heritage, the new Blaenafon Community Heritage & Cordell Museum and St. Peter’s Church – before taking the mountain road to Abergavenny. Stop at the Keeper’s Pond and admire the breathtaking views of the valleys below.

Cordell Country will help you discover the locations and landscapes that bring Alexander Cordell’s novels to life.

St. Peter's Church
by kind permission of Phil Davies

*'Blaenavon' is the English version which was regularly used on official publications. However, the name of the town was originally the welsh spelling of 'Blaenafon' .This Welsh version is now becoming more common in usage. As we are encouraging the use of the authentic spelling we use it more prominently in our website but sometimes refer to it as Blaenavon for search engine purposes.