Industrial Heritage in the South Wales Valleys
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The Landscape and Industry ...
250 years ago the landscape in this area was rural with wooded valley floors and pastureland, but all that changed as technology advanced and iron and coal became the great drivers of the Industrial Revolution. Thanks to its rich geology South Wales had all the raw materials needed, and businessmen from all over the UK flocked here to exploit the mineral wealth. Other industries flourished such as tin and copper making.
The scale of industrialisation had a devastating impact on the landscape, not least of which was the development of towns and villages created to meet the needs of the growing labour force. Innovation drove the development of canals and railways to transport the coal and iron around the world. The Blaenavon World Heritage site provides and exceptional insight into the development of the an industrial landscape from the eighteenth to twentieth cennturies. It is the people's story, however, learn more about the people who made South Wales.
The Iron Works of South Wales were the largest in the world, Dowlais alone employed 6,000 people in the 1820's. In the 1850's a new process was patented in Blaenavon which enabled steel to be made on a large scale and many of the local ironworks quickly made the switch to steel.
By the end of the nineteenth century, iron production was in decline and coal became the main industry of South Wales. Coal mining reached its peak in 1913 by which time it employed over a quarter of a million people at over 500 collieries.
The Valleys is an area that is proud of its industrial heritage
Click here for a list of Industrial Heritage Attractions in the Welsh Valleys.
Coal Mining in the South Wales Valleys
Coal mining in South Wales reached its peak in 1913, by which time it employed over a quarter of a million people. It was a dangerous business and many lost their lives. Today go down the Big Pit with an ex miner to learn more..
Iron Works of the South Wales Valleys
The Iron Works of South Wales were the largest in the World. Iron and steel from Wales have been used to build railways and buildings all over the world.
The People who made the South Wales Valleys
People from Ireland, Scotland and the English Midlands rushed to South Wales in search of the new, well paid industrial jobs during the 19th century the population increased tenfold.
Transport in the South Wales Valleys
The Canal age arrived in the Valleys in the late 18th century and the first real train journey happened in Merthyr when Trevithick's Penydarren Locomotive travelled 9.5 miles down a tramroad between Merthyr and Abercynon.
Must see attractions
Featuring:
Ffos Las Racecourse
Ffos Las has brought back top class racing back to West Wales for the first time since 1937.
