Blaenavon Ironworks (Brecon Beacons)

Introduction

Substantial remains of five early blast furnaces and associated workers' housing, dating from the late eighteenth century onwards. Two of the cottages are furnished, and other cottages in the row contain an exhibition and models of the site and surrounding landscape.

Open 1st April - 31st October: 10am-5pm daily. 

1st November - 31st March: Closed Monday - Thursday, 9.30am-4pm Friday & Saturday, 11am-4pm Sunday.

History to the present day

The Blaenavon Company was reorganised as a joint stock company in 1836, when James Ashwell was appointed managing director. He came from Nottinghamshire, had been a pupil of the great engineer, Bryan Donkin, and had directed ironworks in Derbyshire and Scotland. Ashwell was responsible for an extensive programme of improvements to the company's furnaces and forges, to its transport systems and to the houses provided for its workpeople. The most impressive monument to Ashwell's work at Blaenavon Ironworks is the water balance tower at its northern end, which was built in 1839. This form of lift technology using water to counter-balance loads was used in the mine shafts of south east Wales and at several ironworks. This site is the best preserved example. The lift tower was linked to high ground behind by a wooden bridge, which was quickly replaced by the stone bridge which remains. Its winding gear consisted of a cast iron frame with Classical detailing, on which was mounted a pulley wheel over which a chain linked a pair of lift cages, each incorporating a wrought iron water tank. By piping water in or out of the tank, wagons could be lifted or lowered as required. The stonework of the tower is of high quality, and it is topped by the remnants of the cast iron frame, which has the appearance of a ruined Classical temple.

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