From Blaenavon to Newport

Day 1: Blaenavon World Heritage Industrial Landscape

Blaenavon World Heritage Industrial Landscape illustrates the dynamic forces that drove the Industrial Revolution. You can spend several days exploring the walks, town and attractions, so here are suggestions for 1 day.

Stop 1 - World Heritage Centre which will give you an overview of Blaenavon’s past.

Stop 2 - Blaenavon Ironworks was the start of the industrial story and now light shows to bring the story of iron production to life and you can explore the cottages where the workers lived.

Stop 3 - Big Pit National Coal Museum is where you really understand what it was like to be a miner as you travel 100m underground and discover the history of mining.

As you travel between sites you might see the Blaenavon Heritage Railway steaming across the valley. You will see the remains of the industrial past all around you, with former tramways, quarries and the coal tips. You can walk across the Industrial Landscape or explore the town and call into one of the shops or eateries.

Day 2: Pontypool

Pontypool was one of the earliest industrial towns with early blast furnaces dating back to 1536. A look around the town, with itsimpressive banks and indoor market that dates back to 1893-4, shows how this was the commercial hub for the valley.

The Hanbury Family were the main industrialists and the left the wonderful park with its Shell Grotto and Folly Tower for the community to enjoy. The area gave its name to Pontypool Japanware - decorative varnished ironware, inspired by Japanese Lacquerware.

Stop 1 - Torfaen Museum - discover the story of Pontypool and see the best collection of Pontypool Japanware in Wales.

Stop 2 – Take a walk around Pontypool Park including the Shell Grotto and Folly Tower.

Stop 3 - Pontymoile Basin in the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal - a great starting point for a walk.

Day 3: Newport

Newport has always been an important point to cross the River Usk; the Romans established the Legionary Fortress of Isca, and the Normans built the first castle alongside the river in 1088. Trading tookplace alongside the banks of the river as is witnessed by the discovery of the Medieval Ship in the banks of the river in 2002. The iron and coal came down the valley to be shipped around the world

Stop 1 - Tredegar House and Park - the home of the Morgan family, one of the landed families that drove the industrial revolution.

Stop 2 - Newport Transporter Bridge - one of only 6 such bridges that remain across the world - a new visitor centre is currently being developed.

Stop 3 - The Newport Medieval Ship - see the conserved remains that were uncovered in the banks of the River Usk and discover what has been learnt.

You can explore Newport city centre by following the Chartist Trail – stop off at Newport Market for coffee or lunch. You can also visit Fourteen Locks - an engineering wonder of the Industrial Revolution, rising 160 feet in just half a mile, and the Newport Wetlands.