Blaenavon Iron Works

Blaenavon Iron Works is an industrial site in Wales featuring three preserved blast furnaces, a foundry, and residential cottages dating from the late 1700s. The grounds show how iron was made and where workers and managers lived, with restored machinery and buildings that explain the production process.

Founded in 1789, the works became a center of Welsh heavy industry and pioneered improvements in steel production methods. The site grew to shape how industrial communities were organized and built during the 1800s.

The workers' cottages reveal how people from different social ranks lived side by side during the industrial boom, from sparse rooms to the manager's house with more space and comfort. These contrasts tell you about the community structure and daily routines that shaped this industrial town.

The site is walkable with clear pathways between buildings and displays explaining what you see at each location. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for changing weather, especially in open areas and on sloped terrain.

The water balance tower is a striking feature that lifted loaded wagons up steep inclines using a counterweight system, showing how engineers solved heavy lifting challenges before modern machinery. This forgotten engineering solution reveals the practical thinking of 1700s industrial workers.