Industrial South Wales Tour

COAL & IRON – A SOUTH WALES INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE TOur

During the Industrial Revolution, South Wales helped shape the world as we know it today. From Welsh Coal dug out of the hills of South Wales that powered the furnaces and engines of industry around the world. To the Iron Ore mined from the mountains and refined and cast using cutting edge Technology. The impact South Wales had on the world during the 18th, 19th and early 20th Centuries is often overlooked. On this South Wales Industrial Heritage tour, you will find out for yourself how South Wales helped change the world.

First stop on the tour is Big Pit National Coal Museum on the edge of Blaenavon, which itself is a World Heritage Site. Located in a former mine, that operated from 1860 to 1990, first mining Iron Ore, then later Coal. You will have the chance to discover life as a South Wales Miner as you descend down 90m into the former mine itself, and take an Underground Tour of the mine. Above ground you will have the chance to look around the other exhibits such as “King Coal Experience” and the historic mine buildings of Big Pit.

You will then take a short drive from Big Pit to the nearby Blaenavon Ironworks. When it opened in 1789, the Ironworks was one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the world. During the 19th Century it was one of the most important Iron produces in the word, and today boasts one of the best preserved blast furnaces from the Industrial Revolution.

After rejoining your driver, your discovery of the South Wales Industrial Heritage will head towards Clydach Gorge, on the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). In Clydach Gorge you will discover Industrial Heritage and countryside, side by side. You will be able to visit Clydach Ironworks. Opened shortly after Blaenavon Ironworks in 1790, Clydach Ironworks have been closed over 150 years, and have partially been reclaimed by nature. Whilst in Clydach Gorge you will have the opportunity to visit a a couple of Waterfalls, or stretch your legs and discover “Pucks Valley” which is said to have inspired WIlliam Shakespeare to write A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Clydach Ironworks - South Wales Heritage

Finally you will head along the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog towards the town or Merthyr Tydfil. Once the largest town in Wales and the Iron Capital of the world, where you will visit Cyfarthfa Castle
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Built in 1825 by powerful Ironmaster William Crawshay II, who ran the Crawshay Ironworks which was producing around 23,000 tons of Iron year. Set in around 160 acres of parkland and gardens, today the castle is home to a museum about Iron in Merthyr Tydfil and also an exhibit dedicated to the Merthyr Rising which led by those who worked for Crawshay. The Museum is also home to an art gallery and also a tea room where you can get some light refreshments.

At an agreed time, you will then meet back up with your driver and return to Cardiff, with a better understanding of South Wales Industrial Heritage and how centuries ago, it helped shaped today’s world

Whilst there is no entry fee to Big Pit National Coal Museum itself, there is a fee for the underground tour. If you wish to take the underground tour, this will be payable directly to the museum on the day. This is sold on a “first come, first served” basis and during busy periods there may be a wait before there is space available
Entry too Blaenavon Ironworks & Cyfarthfa Castle are NOT included in the tour fee. and would be payable directly to the Castle on the day.
There are no entry fee’s for Clydach Ironworks or the grounds at Cyfarthfa Castle.
Should you wish to explore Pucks Valley in Clydach Gorge, this would be done unaccompanied. There is a circular trail which is approximately 3 miles and is estimated to take around 1 1/2 hours to complete. The trail is relatively well sign posted, but does have some steep climbs in places. Alternatively instead of Pucks Valley Trail, you can spend the time visiting the Ironworks and some nearby Waterfalls. Both the circular trail and paths to the waterfalls can be wet and muddy, especially after periods of rain, so we strongly recommend waterproof footwear with good grip is worn, and request that you minimise how much mud is transferred into the car.
This tour only operates Tuesday to Saturday as Cyfarthfa Castle itself is closed on Mondays during the winter, and the tea room is closed on Mondays all year round
There is a small tea room / café at Big Pit where a light lunch may be taken before leaving, but no where to get any thing to eat at either Blaenavon Ironworks or Clydach Gorge. As such the only places available to purchase food on this tour are the first and last stops. You are however welcome to bring food with you should you wish.

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