Top Things to do in Torfaen
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Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Torfaen, Wales
Discover the best top things to do in Torfaen, United Kingdom including Big Pit National Coal Museum, The Blaenafon Cheddar Company, Blaenavon Community Museum, Cwmbran Centre, Blaenavon World Heritage Centre, Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, Pontypool Museum, Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Rhymney Brewery, Congress Theatre.
Restaurants in Torfaen
1. Big Pit National Coal Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,618 reviews
Take a unique underground tour of a real coalmine, where hundreds of men, women and children once worked to extract the precious mineral that stoked furnaces and lit the household fires of the world.
Reviewed By CJonsey83
This would be my third visit to Big Pit and I loved as much this time as the first. The underground tour really gives you a sense of how hard it was and the tour guides are always great. (dress warmly for going underground) There is also an above ground video / Live tour that showcases some of the machines used underground, again brilliant. Plenty of parking very near the main entrance. Single tariff of £3.00 all day. I'd recommend this to anyone whose in the area. You will not be disappointed at what you find. Note: be sure to check the website / call if the weather is poor/has been poor for a few days as it may effect the tour availability.
2. The Blaenafon Cheddar Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 60 reviews
A Food Tourism Destination for Wales, based in the World Heritage Town of Blaenavon. See the Award winning cheeses being matured 300ft below ground at Big Pit Mining Museum which is free entry. Visit us and have a cheese tasting & see the hand made cheese production,the cheeses are also available to purchase. We are a family business, mum, dad & son & son in law. We have won many medals for our cheeses including; The International Cheese Gold 2013, Great Taste Awards double Gold 2012, British Cheese Awards Silver 2012, Royal Welsh Cheese Awards Gold 2014, Royal Malvern Gold 2013 & the South West of England Cheese Awards Gold 2014
Reviewed By WelshTraveller5
The cheese is so tasty and full of flavour. I've bought the cheese for myself a number of times and decided to buy a gift set for a friend. I odered through the website which was easy to use. Can't fault the customer service. Friendly staff.
3. Blaenavon Community Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By paultJesmondUK
Very friendly local museum and cinema run by volunteers who will recount how this building came into existance for the education of workers in the Iron Works and the Coal Mine and the enjoyment of families.
4. Cwmbran Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 278 reviews
Reviewed By lorna1471622 - Cwmbran, United Kingdom
A great place to shop, best rail and bus links also FREE Parking. Nice places to eat and drink and even the beach during summer school holidays besides this many attractions and displays are put on through the year. Marks and Spencer, most of the best super markets and some independent shops. Almost all undercover therefore can take a pavement coffee even in the rain. At the moment a mini train is circling the town. Also disability shop to hire wheelchairs to assist les able visitors. if you've never been give it a try, I don't think it will disappoint.
5. Blaenavon World Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
The World Heritage Centre is situated in Blaenavon itself, within the historic former St. Peter’s Church School, founded in 1816, and is the starting point for your visit to the whole Blaenavon World Heritage Site. The former heavy industries left their mark on the environment, which is full of hidden treasures to be discovered after learning what this incredible valley has to offer. St Peter's School, founded by Sarah Hopkins for the education of iron workers' children was the first school of its type in Wales. The visitor (whether tourist or group organiser) will find information on the World Heritage Site, its history and how it can be viewed today as well as a Tourist Information Centre. The main exhibition follows the words of historical characters so that visitors can gain an insight into the daily lives of ordinary people and understand the changes that they experienced during the 19th century. Self-led visits to explore the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre are free of charge.
Reviewed By cgaw14 - Horley, United Kingdom
We returned to Blaenavon again to visit with our ever expanding family and we again chose the heritage centre as the focal point of the weekend. Locals also eat there so you know what that says about the place. Jackie and the café staff were all great as usual, food was delicious and prices were really good. The welcome all over the town and especially here was heartwarming. So please always pop in for a smile and dish of crumble and custard. We did !! We return in April and November next year..
6. Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Blaenavon's Heritage Railway is located in the heart of the Blaenaon World Heritage Site on the edge of the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. There is ample free car and coach parking at Furnace Sidings, our main station located close to the Garn Lakes. From Furnace Sidings our trains head both north to the Whistle Inn, and south to Blaenavon High Level Station, located above Blaenavon town centre. Since 2011 we also have a separate branch serving Big Pit Halt, adjacent to the Big Pit national mining museum. Whether you're looking for a family day out, or are a devoted railway enthusiast, we have something for you. With free car parking at Furnace sidings, why not combine a visit to Big Pit with a ride on the train? Enjoy a snack in the tea room at Furnace Sidings, or shop in Eric's Emporium (an outpost of The Railway Shop in Blaenavon) stocking a selection of railway models, gifts and souvenirs. Many trains also have a buffet service offering light refreshments.
7. Pontypool Museum
8. Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
The regional centre for the applied arts featuring regular changing applied arts exhibitions, educational workshops, craftshop and cafe. Open six days a week.
9. Rhymney Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By davelK3537FL
What a wonderful place. Lewys was very helpful. Great pint of export and some lovely beer to take home.
10. Congress Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By happyhols42
This was our second visit to the Congress, first in the evening - found parking very easy as stated in the reply to my question which was answered very promptly - and it was FREE in the car park underneath the shopping centre (Monmouth car park), very rare to find these days. The show was superb, New Amen Corner are a brilliant group and entertained all evening with a vast selection of 60's songs, not a minute was wasted with 'trivial chat' also accompanying Mike D'Abo and Mike Pender doing a selection of their hits. It is a lovey theatre - with very friendly staff serving tea, coffee or an alcohol drink upstairs before the show and in the interval. There is plenty of leg room between the rows of seats and the sound and lighting system is very good, altogether a great evening. We look forward to our next visit in the near future.
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