Updated with new bus times 13 April 2008

How to find us

 

 The railway is situated just off the B4248 between Blaenavon and Brynmawr, and is well signposted as you approach Blaenavon. Use Junction 25a if you are coming on the M4 from the east, or Junction 26 if you are coming from the west, (both junctions are clearly signposted}. Head for Cwmbran and pick up the signs for Pontypool or Big Pit

From the Midlands use M50, then A40, and A465 to Brynmawr. If you are travelling from North and West Wales consider using the "Heads of the Valley's" A465 to Brynmawr. As you approach us, just look out for the old colliery water tower, and you can't miss us!

 

 

 

  This is a view of the north end of our yard site where we keep the engines and coaches. On the right is the old colliery water tower, which is easily recognisable from the road by which you reach us. The road is in the background.

  

How to get there by public transport

 

The railway is served by the following main line railway stations: ABERGAVENNY, PONTYPOOL & NEW INN, CWMBRAN, and NEWPORT.
Of these four, Newport is the most distant, but is served by the most frequent interconnecting bus services.  Abergavenny is also possible.  Buses from Abergavenny are now handled by a revamped service provided by the Beacons Bus network.  Notwithstanding, most rail passengers will arrive via Newport.  There are some other rather roundabout services you could use, but those below are the only ones we would recommend.

 

Bus services from Newport

 

 

 

To get to the bus station from Newport railway station, come out of the station, walk broadly forward and left for about five minutes and any number of routes will get you to the bus station.  The adjoining map shows the details.  The bus station is a lively place during the day, with a modern shopping centre attached, and a good fish and chip restaurant next door.  If you have an hour to kill, try wandering round Newport Market on weekdays.  On the other hand, if the weather is nice and it’s a Sunday, sit down on the embankment of the River Usk and eat your sandwiches!

 

 

Buses from Newport go to Blaenavon town centre (either High Street or Lion Street).  To get to the railway on foot, walk to Big Pit, by following the brown tourist signs, ignore the railway signs – these are for motorists.  Go through Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate and under one of our bridges.  The walk will take about twenty minutes.  From Big Pit car park follow the GWR sign that simply says TRAINS and you’ll reach our level crossing within five minutes.  Wait for any approaching trains to stop at the station and crossover to the platform

 

Mondays to Saturdays– Service X24

This service leaves stand 10 from 0815 at 10 minute intervals till 2230.  The journey time is just over 50 minutes

Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays – Service 24

This service leaves stand 10 from 1140 at hourly intervals.  Again, the journey time is just over 50 minutes.

Mondays to Saturdays – Service 30

This useful service leaves stand 9 at hourly intervals from 0745 till 1745.  The journey time is 40 minutes.

It is useful because the 0845,1045, 1245 and 1445 service extend their journey to Big Pit, which adds 5 minutes to the journey time, it also passes our entrance at Garn yr Erw, (locals call it Garner-roo, which is a bit easier to say) but you may need to ask the driver to stop.

 

All of these services are operated by Stagecoach, and it may be worth confirming the above details on their website at:

www.stagecoachbus.com.

You will however need an Acrobat Reader to read the file which is presented as a PDF file.

Bus services from Abergavenny

The Beacons Bus service from ABERGAVENNY is noted below, and thanks are due to the Richard Tyler of Beacons Bus National Park for permission to reproduce the timetable below.  More details on the Beacons Bus service can be found HERE.  It runs only in the tourist season.

 

Service  B15

 

 

 

Abergavenny - Blaenavon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World Heritage Centre & Big Pit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B5

B15

B15

B15

B15

B15

train from Cardiff arrives

 

 

….

9:20

12:14

….

3:17

….

bus from Cwmbran arrives

 

 

….

10:10

I

….

I

….

bus from Brecon arrives

 

 

 

….

I

12:10

….

3:10

….

Abergavenny, Rail Stn Yard

 

dep.

….

10:15

12:25

….

3:25

….

Abergavenny, Bus Stn (Stand 1)

 

….

10:20

12:30

….

3:30

….

Abergavenny, Tesco Store

 

 

….

10:23

12:33

….

3:33

….

Llanfoist, Post Office

 

 

 

….

10:30

12:40

….

3:40

….

Govilon, Canal Bridge

 

 

….

10:34

12:44

….

3:44

….

Blaenavon, High Street

 

 

….

10:49

12:59

….

3:59

….

Blaenavon, World Heritage Centre

 

9:56

10:52

1:02

2:32

4:02

5:02

Blaenavon, Ironworks (TV 'Coalhouse')

9:59

10:55

1:05

2:35

4:05

5:05

Blaenavon, Big Pit Mining Museum

arr.

10:05

11:00

1:10

2:40

4:10

5:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B15

B15

B15

B15

B15

B5

Blaenavon, Big Pit Mining Museum

dep.

11:40

1:10

2:40

4:10

5:30

6:25

Blaenavon, Ironworks (TV 'Coalhouse')

11:44

1:14

2:44

4:14

5:34