The industrial history of South Wales is dominated by two commodities- iron and coal. The coal mining side tends to be the more celebrated, but in Blaenavon- a small village perched on teh edge of the Brecon Beacons- visitors can learn more about both.
Blaenavon Ironworks is probably the best preserved 18th Century ironworks in Europe, if not the whole world. Visitors can see much of the machinery and get a vivid picture of the conditions endured by workers and their families. It's a great place to visit from both a human and a mechanical perspective.
Make sure to allow a whole day for your visit. Blaenavon Ironworks is just one of the many things to enjoy around the town, which is also well known for an excellent collection of bookshops