Things to do in Blackwood

Activities, attractions and tours

The view south from Newbridge railway station. The single-track railway line is crossed by the Calzaghe bridge opened in September 2009.
Photo by Jaggery (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
The view south from Newbridge railway station. The single-track railway line is crossed by the Calzaghe bridge opened in September 2009.
Photo by Jaggery (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
St Sannan's Church, Bedwellty This church, dating from the 13th century, is prominently situated at 300m on a ridgeway. For some historical information on the Parish of Bedwellty see http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyalbum/kedwelty.htm .
Photo by Robin Drayton (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Rhymney Valley Looking across the Rhymney Valley towards Brithdir. The A4049 is in the foreground.
Photo by Robin Drayton (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
View from St Sannan's churchyard, Bedwellty Just beyond the churchyard on the right is a greyhound racing track. The Rhymney Valley can be seen at the upper left with the peaks of the Brecon Beacons on the horizon.
Photo by Robin Drayton (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
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Top places to visit

1. Principality Stadium

Opened in June 1999 complete with the first fully retractable roof in the UK, it has hosted some of the world’s most famous sporting events as well as concerts featuring the biggest entertainers in show business, from Take That, One Direction and Oasis to Madonna, Rihanna and Beyoncé.
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Millennium Stadium featuring a river or creek and modern architecture

2. Brecon Beacons National Park

The park is made up of 519 square miles of mountain ranges, river valleys, rolling hills, forests, lakes, waterfalls and hidden caves. In among this stunning natural beauty, you will also find some of Wales’ most colourful towns, pubs, farmers’ markets and Michelin-starred restaurants. The quaint village of Llanddewi Skirrid near Abergavenny is particularly worth a visit.
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Brecon Beacons National Park which includes a waterfall, a lake or waterhole and rainforest

3. Cardiff Castle

A 12-sided medieval keep offering panoramic views across the city from a platform at its top is at the castle’s heart, but the site is also full of later additions that capture the imagination. Fabulous mock-Gothic features, including an extravagant banqueting hall and clock tower, were added during the Victorian era.
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Cardiff Castle which includes heritage architecture, heritage elements and a castle

4. Barry Island Beach

Sun worshippers have been flocking here since Victorian times to what is essentially a small island, though joined now to the mainland since 1896 by a small pier. The site of a Butlins holiday camp during the 1960’s, Barry Beach is perfect for families, with its signature calling card being Barry Island Pleasure Park. Come here for crowds, candy floss and sticks of rock, the scream of the rollercoaster and the thump of the dodgems.
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Aerial panorama of Barry Island, Wales, UK

5. Utilita Arena Cardiff

The main area of the arena is a hugely versatile space capable of staging a wide variety of events, from trade exhibitions to music concerts and stand-up shows. It is capable of holding a standing audience of 7,500 people, a number that falls to 5,000 for seated events.
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D6WYKM Aerial photograph of the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

6. Cardiff University

One of the UK’s major teaching and research universities, in its 2014 University Guide the Sunday Times described Cardiff as “the acknowledged leader of higher education in Wales”. The previous year it hailed it as a “powerhouse of academic and research excellence”.
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Main building of Cardiff University - Wales; Shutterstock ID 289260233; purchase_order: Comps; job: ; client: ; other:

What to do in Blackwood

Popular places to visit

Millennium Stadium featuring a river or creek and modern architecture

Principality Stadium

The spiritual home of Welsh rugby, the Principality Stadiumin Cardiff is one of the most famous sporting arenas on the planet, envied the world over for its cauldron-like atmosphere and state-of-the-art facilities.

Principality Stadium
Pierhead Building, a Grade One listed building of the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff Bay, Wales. A Cardiff's landmark taken from Cardiff Bay.

Cardiff Bay

Explore the waterfront in Cardiff with a trip to Cardiff Bay. Discover the lively bars and acclaimed theater scene in this family-friendly area.

Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Castle which includes heritage architecture, heritage elements and a castle

Cardiff Castle

Located in the heart of the city centre, Cardiff Castle is one of Wales’ most important cultural attractions. A rich history spanning 2,000 years is contained within its walls and fairytale-style towers.

Cardiff Castle
Aerial panorama of Barry Island, Wales, UK

Barry Island Beach

If you’re looking for a quintessential Welsh seaside experience, look no further than Barry Beach in the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan.

Barry Island Beach
D6WYKM Aerial photograph of the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Utilita Arena Cardiff

Cardiff Motorpoint Arena is located on Mary Ann Street in the heart of Cardiff. It was opened in 1993 and is the largest purpose-built facility for staging exhibitions and concerts in South Wales.

Utilita Arena Cardiff
Main building of Cardiff University - Wales; Shutterstock ID 289260233; purchase_order: Comps; job: ; client: ; other:

Cardiff University

Founded by Royal Charter in 1883 and located in the heart of the thriving Welsh capital, Cardiff University has built an international reputation for the quality of its work.

Cardiff University
Wales Millennium Centre which includes street scenes, signage and modern architecture

Wales Millennium Centre

An architectural masterpiece, the Wales Millennium Centre is at the heart of Cardiff Bay, a wonderfully regenerated area full of striking buildings, wide open spaces and intriguing pieces of public art.

Wales Millennium Centre
Tintern Abbey showing heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and religious aspects

Tintern Abbey

The monastic ruins of Tintern Abbey are nestled in the heart of the Wye Valley area of outstanding natural beauty and can boast 900 years of history in their walls. This was the first Cistercian abbey built in Wales and only the second in Britain, and despite now being exposed to the elements, it remains one of the most stunning surviving examples of gothic architecture in the country.

Tintern Abbey
Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay Waterfront

Learn about the local history of Cardiff with a stop at Cardiff Bay Waterfront. Discover the area's fascinating museums, or seek out its local tours.

Cardiff Bay Waterfront
Cardiff showing street scenes, a city and night scenes

Cardiff

Frequently asked questions

Is Blackwood worth visiting?
Whether you're coming to enjoy the local charm and cultural hotspots or sample regional foods and explore in nature, there's no shortage of things to do in Blackwood.
How do I spend a day in Blackwood?
Start your adventures with a visit to Parc Bryn Bach and Blaenavon Ironworks. Then, explore other areas of Blackwood for a bite to eat and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Blackwood?
The top tourist attraction in Blackwood is Blaenavon Ironworks, so be sure to add it to your sightseeing list.
Is three days enough to stay in Blackwood?
You can easily tick off top attractions like Super Tubing, Sirhowy Valley Country Park and Guardian - Six Bells Mining Memorial with a three-day break in Blackwood. On average, most travelers book two days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so stay a little longer and venture to Cardiff.
Is Blackwood a walkable city?
It all depends on what you'd like to do and see in Blackwood. Several top attractions, like Bargoed Woodland Park and Twmbarlwm Mountain, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Blackwood's best neighborhoods, Maesycwmmer is 3 kilometers away from downtown, while Penmaen is 2 kilometers away from the city center and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Blackwood with kids?
Deciding what to do in Blackwood with kids has never been so simple. Whether you have teenagers or toddlers, there are loads of family-friendly tours and attractions to keep everyone entertained here.

What to do in Blackwood for adults?
Whether you're an avid foodie, culture enthusiast or fan of nature, there are plenty of things to do in Blackwood for adults including Blaenavon World Heritage Centre.
Are there free things to do in Blackwood?
One of the easiest ways to discover free things to do in Blackwood is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on interesting neighborhoods, parks and other hotspots you can enjoy without opening your wallet. Sirhowy Valley Country Park is one place that doesn't have an admission fee.