Blaenavon, Monmouthshire

Flower Delivery to Blaenavon by Clare Florist

It’s not everyday that a town is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and not just a local attraction. This makes Blaenavon, Wales a place you should visit before you die. It’s a living reminder of the time when Welsh coals powered the industries of the world. Despite it being an industrial landscape, there are just as plenty of natural landscapes in the area, wide expanse of green with flowers in Blaenavon here and there. In fact, one of its famous festivals revolves around exploring the countryside. But more on that later.

First, a look into Blaenavon’s vibrant history.

The town grew around ironworks that opened in 1788. It was followed by the steel-making and coal industries and saw a sudden rise in the population. During that time, there were over 20,000 residents, a huge difference from the estimated 6,000 population today. Of course, with more jobs available then, everyone would want to live in Blaenavon, Wales.

But like other parts of the world, the town also suffered during the Great Depression. Combined with a continuing post-war decline in coal production, Blaenavon seemed to slow down, and with it a decline in its population.

It wasn’t until the 1970s, when a pledge was made to protect Blaenavon’s Ironworks that the town came back to life. The real resurrection, however, came about at the turn of the millennium when it was recognised as a World Heritage Site.

What’s to see in Blaenavon?

Aside from the breathtaking scenery of Blaenavon flowers, combined with the 18th century furnaces that the town is famous for, there are plenty of unique museums to visit.

Blaenavon Ironworks

This is an industrial museum that showcased the importance of ironworks to the world. It is on this site where the ability to use cheap, low quality, high sulphur ore was developed. It also bore witness to the many experiments that were conducted, the famous of which is the “Gilchrist-Thomas process” or “the basic steel process” by an inventor Sidney Gilchrist Thomas and his cousin Percy Gilchrist, a British chemist and metallurgist.

Big Pit National Coal Museum
From 1860-1980, this industrial heritage museum was a working coal mine, which is why it’s dedicated to the operational preservation of the said industry. Through the support of the National Museum Wales, it was opened to the public in 1980.  

Other local attractions include the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, and the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre. The best time to check them out is during the Blaenavon World Heritage Festival, which usually takes place during the weekend. The two-day celebration is highlighted by fun and entertainment, and a walk on the Blaenavon Heritage Town with a Green Badge Guide in tow.

If you want to see beyond industrial relics, stay on for the Walking Festival. In this event, the highlights are the natural landscape, flowers in Blaenavon and the famous local attraction that is Blaenavon's mountains. This week long event will include famous walks, such as 'Over the Hill' with Frank Olding, 'Clydach Gorge Foraging Feast' and 'Landscape and Ale'. Before the festival ends, you’ll learn plenty about the various plants, giving you a good idea which flowers to buy when you want to send flowers to Blaenavon.

If you time your trip during these festivals, the more exciting your holiday will be. Just take a pick between an industrial-based and a nature-themed tour, or enjoy both.

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