Blaenafon Ironworks
Book now from £7.30
Get your tickets today for one of the best days out in South Wales for history enthusiasts
Blaenafon Ironworks is a giant of the industrial age and is one of the must-see landmarks on your visit to South Wales.
- Get standard entry to the site with General Admission Tickets
- Visit 20 historic monuments in Wales, including Blaenafon Ironworks with the Cadw Explorer Pass
Journeying from the Brecon Beacons and into South Wales' industrial heartland, you'll discover the Blaenavon Ironworks, the place where Wales became a crucial part of the Industrial Revolution.
Initially harnessing the power of steam to blow air from its huge furnaces, it was from this very site where Wales blasted itself onto the global stage with the production of Welsh iron, building bridges, ships and railways as the world dramatically changed.
The story of the workers and their often ruthless treatment as well as perilous working conditions is preserved at this remarkable heritage site, where the now disused ironworks can be viewed by the public today.
Interested in visiting other Welsh castles? Get your Cadw Explorer Pass to visit 20 historic monuments in Wales
Your key to unlock Wales' greatest castles, in one ticket!
The Cadw Explorer Pass offers the freedom to explore all of Cadw's historic attractions and help you get the most out of your visit to Wales.
- Entry to 20 Welsh castles and attractions
- Visit as many castles as you want
- Choice of either the 3 day pass or 7 day pass (the 3 day pass gives you 3 days of entrance and is valid for a 7 day period. The 7 day pass gives you 7 days of entrance, valid for 14 days)
- Save lots of money!
General Admission Ticket - Blaenafon Ironworks
Discover the Welsh heart of the Industrial Revolution when you visit Blaenafon Ironworks. Visit anytime during the day.
Family Admission Ticket - Blaenafon Ironworks
Save when you book Family Admission tickets to Blaenavon Ironworks for families of two adults and up to three children. Visit anytime during the day.
How to find us
By 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.
By rail: 12km/8mls, Pontypool and New Inn, on the Manchester/Liverpool-Pontypool/Cardiff route.
By bus: 3km/2mls, route X24 from Newport via Cwmbran, Pontypool and Varteg.
By bike: NCN Route No.46 (600m/656yrds).
- Dog-friendly
- Free parking
- Gift shop
- Refreshments
- Toilets
- Pedestrians leaving the car park have a short walk either down 10 steps to cross the road to the Ironworks gate, or to avoid steps can exit the car park gates & follow the footpath around to a lowered kerbside to cross the road. When crossing the road be mindful of two-way traffic.
- The entrance to the site is via a small gateway and follows a narrow uneven pathway.
- The visitor centre/shop at Blaenavon Ironworks is accessible via a wide automatic glass door and has a small gift shop area with one pay point.
- A level but uneven (rough) gravel surface covers the whole of the lower area of the Ironworks. There is also a small grassy area with several picnic benches.
- The furnished cottages can be accessed via a small incline, up a gravel pathway.
- The cottages have standard width doors, but please note there is a wooden lip at the threshold.
- Visitors are also able to access the upper levels of the site (the balance tower and calcining ovens) via a steep incline.
Dogs on leads are welcome but are not permitted into the cottages.
Yes, there is a car park with approx. 40 spaces across a busy main road.
Yes, visitor toilets are available at this site.
Smoking is not permitted at the Blaenavon Ironworks.