Blackwood is a former mining town with a rich Chartist history. For travellers who choose a destination not only for individual activities but also for its historical background, these are two defining points of reference. The town also offers cultural events at Blackwood Miners’ Institute, the Maxime Cinema and an open-air market in the centre. This makes it possible to include the town’s history and specific cultural offerings in your travel plans.

History and culture at the Miners’ Institute

Blackwood Miners’ Institute is a Grade II* listed building. Its history began in 1925 as a single-storey snooker hall. The institute was funded from the wages of Oakdale miners, with a contribution of 3d per week. This origin story is a distinct historical point of reference alongside Blackwood’s mining and Chartist history.

Every year, Blackwood Miners’ Institute hosts hundreds of events and participatory activities across theatre, dance, family shows, live music, opera, literature and comedy. This gives culture enthusiasts a range of formats to choose from. If a particular performance or activity is the main reason for your visit, check its date before travelling.

Cinema and market days

The Maxime Cinema adds to the cultural offering with specific accessibility features. The entrance is step-free; a stairlift beside the concession area provides access to screens 1, 4 and 5. If you are planning a cinema visit, confirm this accessibility information before travelling.

An open-air market takes place every Tuesday and Friday at Market Place in the centre of Blackwood. Local traders offer a varied selection of goods there. If you would like to visit the market, plan for one of these days of the week and check the market days before travelling.

The market and events programme offer different points of reference for planning your dates: the market takes place on set days of the week, while a cultural visit depends on the date of the event. If you would like to include both in your stay, first choose your preferred event date and then check whether Tuesday or Friday works for the market.

Getting there and planning your trip

Blackwood Interchange Bus Station improves access from the surrounding area and connections to Newport and Cardiff. When choosing where to stay, this transport link can be a useful point of comparison: should Blackwood itself be your overnight base, or would you like to factor the connection to either of these two destinations into your plans? Check bus services before travelling for your actual journey.

Cycling in Sirhowy Valley Country Park

National Cycle Route 47, also known as the Celtic Trail, runs through the entire Sirhowy Valley Country Park. If you would like to factor cycling into your choice of destination, you can make this route a focus of your planning.

Discover more destinations: Rhymney, Oakdale, Crosskeys, Bedwas, Caerphilly, Cwmfelinfach

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