Blaenavon

Blaenavon is a town and World Heritage Site in Torfaen, South Wales. The town is situated at the source of the Afon Lwyd river, high on a hillside north of Pontypool.

Historically an industrial town, Blaenavon's significance stems from its role in the Industrial Revolution, particularly its iron and coal production. The Blaenavon Ironworks, now a preserved museum, was a major producer of iron from the late 18th century until the early 20th century. The surrounding landscape, including coal mines, quarries, workers' housing, and transport infrastructure, collectively illustrate the industrial processes of the era and the social structures that supported them.

The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The site covers an area of approximately 33 square kilometres (13 square miles) and includes key components such as the Blaenavon Ironworks, Big Pit National Coal Museum, workers' housing at Garn-yr-erw, and the surrounding coal and iron ore mines. The heritage site aims to preserve and interpret the area's industrial history and its impact on the development of modern society.

The town's economy has transitioned away from heavy industry, focusing on tourism related to its industrial heritage. Blaenavon offers visitor attractions, walking trails, and historical insights into the lives of the workers and their families who shaped the area's industrial landscape.