South Wales Industrial Heritage History Tour
Experience South Wales' Industrial Legacy and Scenic Beauty on a Guided Electric Vehicle Tour

Cardiff
people
1 participant
hours
- • Explore Historic Coal Mining Sites in South Wales
- • Experience a Comprehensive 9-Hour Guided Tour
- • Visit the UK's Most Engaging National Coal Museum
Why We Love This Unique Experience
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscapes and rich heritage of South Wales with the Valleys Heritage and South Wales Landscapes experience. Perfectly tailored for both nature lovers and history enthusiasts, this day-long adventure allows you to explore the breathtaking beauty and intriguing stories that shape this remarkable region, all while traveling in a comfortable and eco-friendly electric vehicle.
Your day begins with a warm welcome from an experienced driver-guide who possesses a wealth of knowledge about the area's industrial past and natural wonders. Visit iconic sites, including the picturesque Fourteen Locks Canal, where you’ll witness the grandeur of one of the most spectacular flight of canal locks in South Wales. Other highlights include meandering through Cwmcarn Forest, absorbing panoramic views of the Brecon Beacons, and stopping at poignant memorials like the Guardian of the Valleys sculpture, which honors the miners of the Six Bells Disaster. With engaging storytelling and breathtaking sights every step of the way, this experience immerses you in the proud legacy and natural beauty of South Wales.
Searching for the perfect gift for someone special? This unique experience offers an ideal opportunity to create lasting memories together while discovering the beauty and history of South Wales. Whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, or just to say ‘thank you,’ gifting an adventure that combines education and inspiration is sure to impress. Elevate any occasion with a gift of exploration and wonder – truly a gift unlike any other!
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Experience Overview:
From Cardiff: The Valleys Heritage And South Wales LandscapesYou will travel in a modern and luxurious fully electric vehicle, limited to a maximum of seven passengers, in the company of your driver guide, Andy, who is a Mountain Leader and a Green Badged Tourist Guide.
South Wales is geologically 'lucky', having all of the elements required to fuel the industrial revolution, iron, coal, limestone and silica rock. From the 1750's iron boom through the 1850's to the 1980's when coal was king, South Wales was a hive of activity, smelting, mining and developing technologies to improve production. This tour has been designed to look at this history, its effects upon the landscape and people who laboured so hard and also at those who profited from that labour. Please see the itinerary for all of the stops and visits.
We'll also have a glimpse the beauty of the Brecon Beacons which lie to the north, on the fringes of the coalfields, and how the mining communities are recovering, post the closure of the mines in the 1990's.
Meeting Point
National Museum Cardiff
Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP, UK
We'll park outside the museum and will meet you on the museum steps.
What's included:
- Driver/guide
What to expect:
Duration: 9 hours
Fourteen Locks Canal & Conference Centre
Cwm Lane, , Rogerstone, NP10 9GN
Fourteen Locks is the most spectacular flight of canal locks in South Wales. A scheduled ancient monument situated in this idyllic part of Newport. It lies on the Crumlin Arm part of the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal. Surrounded by striking landscape, it is one of the most beautiful scenic waterways. The canal centre has a gift shop and a tea room.
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cwmcarn Forest
Forest Drive, , Cwmcarn
In the vehicle we will meander around the twisting bends and allow the enchanting forest to immerse us in tranquillity where you can truly leave the rest of the world behind. We will park up at one of the seven car parks to absorb the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the tour guide will give you more information about the area.
1 hour, 30 minutes
The Guardian Of The Valleys
Six Bells Rd, Six Bells, Abertillery NP13 2EG, UK
We visit a sculpture commemorating the Six Bells Disaster: In the summer of 1960, the community of Six Bells near Abertillery, south Wales witnessed a devastating disaster. On June 28th an underground explosion at 'Arrael Griffin' colliery led to the deaths of 45 miners, all were local men. Fifty years later, to the day, after tireless work by the community and local organisations, a steel sculpture by Sebastien Boyesen, over 60ft high, was dedicated to those who died.
30 minutes
Abertillery
Abertillery
We drive on to a town and community in Blaenau Gwent County Borough: Abertillery's traditional-style town centre mainly developed in the late 19th century and as such has some interesting Victorian architecture. We will be here for lunch either in Kennys Vinyl Vault Crystal Café – Vegan options or more traditional Fradds Café both of which are on Church Street.
1 hour
Saint Illtyd
St Illtyd, Abertillery NP13 2AY, UK
Mountain Road: We’ll take a drive from St Illtyd to Abersychan along a beautiful mountain road with open views of the Brecon Beacons to the North, the road we travel is 1200 feet above sea level.
1 hour
Big Pit National Coal Museum
Blaenavon, NP4 9XP
Big Pit is a real coal mine and one of Britain's leading mining museums. Enjoy a multi-media tour of a modern coal mine with a virtual miner in the Mining Galleries, exhibitions in the Pithead Baths and Historic colliery buildings AND the world-famous Underground Tour: go 300 feet underground with a real miner and see what life was like for the thousands of men who worked at the coal face.
2 hours, 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
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Details & Important Info
Additional Experience Details & Important Information
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellations & Refunds
Reservation Changes, Cancellations & Refunds
All ticket sales are final and not refundable. Reservations cannot be changed, rescheduled or refunded once confirmed. Reservations may be re-scheduled by the operator of the activity due to reasons such as weather, minimum participation requirements, mechanical issues or other interruptions beyond their control.
Organized by
Wales Outdoors
Product SKU: UK-10421-0014
Google Business Profile: Wales Outdoors
South Wales Industrial History and Scenic Tour
Cardiff
people
1 participant
hours
- • Explore Historic Coal Mining Sites in South Wales
- • Experience a Comprehensive 9-Hour Guided Tour
- • Visit the UK's Most Engaging National Coal Museum
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