Go underground at Big Pit National Coal Museum, unlock the past at Blaenavon Ironworks, take a dip in Keeper's Pond or simply enjoy a relaxing stroll or cycle on the stunningly beautiful Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal.
The area around Blaenavon was the industrial engine of Britain in the 19th century, one of the main areas driving South Wales' position as the world's major producer of iron and coal. So much so that in 2000 UNESCO designated the Industrial Landscape as a World Heritage Site. Nowadays the industrial heritage sits within the natural beauty of the area, with ironworks and coal pits alongside lakes and stunning mountaintop views.
Big Pit opened in 1860 and continued producing coal until 1980. The National Coal Museum is now the main attraction within the Blaenavon World Heritage Site. The guided underground tour is led by ex-miners and the Pithead Baths house a fascinating exhibition about the life of a coal miner.