Blaenafon & Big Pit

Blaenafon was granted World Heritage Site status in 2000 and is a glorious reminder of Wales' industrial past, when during its peak it had four times the population it does today.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Welsh Valleys became flooded with people looking for employment in the readily accessible coalmines. Secondary industries such as iron making flourished off the back of the area's rich coal seams. The ironworks would not be there of course if it were not for Wales' own black gold, coal. Exploited mercilessly by the rich English coal barons conditions were pitiful and a visit to the Big Pit National Mining Museum is a must.

Guided tours take you down 300 ft into the pit to the coalfaces and the network of tunnels. Most of the guides are ex-miners themselves so you can really get some first hand experience of how it actually was. Back on dry land the engine house, miners' canteen and pithead baths have all been preserved and are also fascinating.