Yes, it's across the Severn Bridge today for the P&J's riding adventure. National cycle routes 492 (Pontypool to Blaenafon), 49 (Monmouth and Brecon canal to Newport), 47 (Celtic Trail) and route 88, which has no name, for some reason. Perhaps it's not as exciting as the others. He didn't cycle all the routes, before you get too impressed- he cycled about 20 miles from Blaenafon Ironworks to Caerleon, and apparently most of it was downhill.
Anyway, as he was busy doing that, the OH and I had to find something to do- and what is there to do in South Wales on a very dreary, chilly Sunday afternoon in November? Yes, you're quite correct. Go and visit the Ironworks at Blaenafon. So here we go.
This large piece of work is located in the car park on the other side of the road from the site. I have no idea what it is, so don't ask.
Oh? Apparently it's a steam hammer. Now you know.
These greet you on the way in and similar are dotted around the site. It's rather prosaic, I know, but they'd be a talking point for any garden. But I digress. You'd like some information, I know.
The works were begun around 1787 when the site was leased from the Marquess of Abergavenny by a partnership of Thomas Hill, Thomas Hopkins and Benjamin Pratt, and closed in the 1970s. It is a World Heritage site.
This also greets you on the way in- a model village made out of steel plate. It's not treated, so it rusts like the panels that are dotted around the site.
This is one of the blast furnaces, which were added to meet demand during the French wars of 1793-1815. Apparently, the stone facings were taken to build a church, in 1911.
This is the balance tower. Built around 1839, it was a counterbalance lift, powered by the weight of water. This picture doesn't give a real indication of how imposing it is, but that's wide angled lenses for you.
There's a path that leads you to the top and a mesh bridge that takes you up to the top of this wall. If, like me, you're not very good at heights, it's a bit disturbing looking down as you're crossing. Yes, I know. Don't look down then.
Anyway, behind the balance tower are these-
These are cast in iron and therefore the colour of rust. They were sculpted by Sally Matthews, after watching a film about pit ponies being brought up from the mines for their annual holidays. Well, no, not straight after seeing the film. After she'd thought a bit and did some drawings. Look at her website above. She's GOOD.
Besides all these, the exhibition includes the workers' cottages, which don't feature in this blog as that part of the site is still a work in progress, and covered in tarps and scaffolding. There is also an exhibition about iron making, in the cast house.
To finish off, here are some more of those iron screens.
Good title page, huh? I thought that when I took the picture.
This large piece of work is located in the car park on the other side of the road from the site. I have no idea what it is, so don't ask.
Oh? Apparently it's a steam hammer. Now you know.
These greet you on the way in and similar are dotted around the site. It's rather prosaic, I know, but they'd be a talking point for any garden. But I digress. You'd like some information, I know.
The works were begun around 1787 when the site was leased from the Marquess of Abergavenny by a partnership of Thomas Hill, Thomas Hopkins and Benjamin Pratt, and closed in the 1970s. It is a World Heritage site.
This also greets you on the way in- a model village made out of steel plate. It's not treated, so it rusts like the panels that are dotted around the site.
This is one of the blast furnaces, which were added to meet demand during the French wars of 1793-1815. Apparently, the stone facings were taken to build a church, in 1911.
There's a path that leads you to the top and a mesh bridge that takes you up to the top of this wall. If, like me, you're not very good at heights, it's a bit disturbing looking down as you're crossing. Yes, I know. Don't look down then.
Anyway, behind the balance tower are these-
Besides all these, the exhibition includes the workers' cottages, which don't feature in this blog as that part of the site is still a work in progress, and covered in tarps and scaffolding. There is also an exhibition about iron making, in the cast house.
To finish off, here are some more of those iron screens.
Don't forget that Big Pit and the Blaenafon Railway are nearby, and the town of Blaenafon itself warrants a visit. If you're into Industrial history, this is a place for you. And a good place if you like walking or cycling. In fact, why not go on holiday there. Bring the dog.
And finally, many thanks to Peter Waklin and Cadw for the Blaenafon Ironworks guide, which saved me having to remember anything. I'm at that age.
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