X24 Newport – Blaenavon

Journey Overview

This is a brilliant journey from the hustle and bustle of Newport, through the heart of the Welsh Valleys then tantalisingly taken to the edge of the magnificent Brecon Becons National Park, the gateway to many more unforgettable adventures.

Starting in Newport (at Stand 16, Market Square Bus Station), the bus weaves its way to the pretty town of Cwmbran with its retail therapy and gentle scenery before fields and meadows give way to an increasingly uninhabited tree-lined setting, bereft of buildings, in the ascent towards Blaenavon. The popular small town of Pontypool with its classic indoor market is traversed and then the delightful hamlets of Abersychan and Varteg, where off the beaten track of this high quality bus route, blissful walks can be enjoyed.

Then, as the sight of rising hills is eclipsed by a backdrop of mountains in the distance, Blaenavon approaches and a town which presents an easy on the eye industrial and scenic landscape, combining history with beauty and the beckoning Brecons closeby. There’s plenty to see and do here, including a round trip on the idyllic Blaenavon Heritage Railway which plunges folk into a nostalgic trip from yesteryear further into the valleys on steam or diesel trains.

A Fab Day Out!

A fab-day out!

Breakfast in one of the many cafes in thriving Newport should help kickstart a great trip to follow. The bus stops at Cwmbran and if you fancy a look round the many independent fashion and speciality shops at Market Village then you won’t regret it, but there’s more fun and adventure to follow as the route gathers pace towards the Brecon Becons. The X24 has a great frequency of around every 15 minutes so it’s really convenient to hop on and off on the journey to sample many of the gems en route.

Pontypool is certainly worth a visit, not least for a peruse round the Torfaen Museum, which provides a fascinating insight into the history of the county, with a particular focus on the renowned Pontypool Rugby Football Club and an extensive collection of Pontypool Japanware, crafted through the 17th Century. There’s also a great coffee shop too at the Museum, before a browse round Pontypool Indoor Market, which has a range of hidden treasures, including handcrafted jewellery, crafts, paintings and much more!

Back on the bus and no trip to Blaenavon is complete without a journey on the iconic Heritage Railway which is set within the stunning Blaenavon World Heritage Site on the peripherary of the Brecon Becons National Park. Alight at Blaenavon Cuewood which is a short distance to the Railway. A round trip on the railway, to Coed Avon and back, takes approximately one hour.

Now, it’s time for a visit to The Big Pit Museum Blaenavon which is a real coal mine and museum. There’s exhibitions in the Pithead Baths and Historic Colliery buildings and a world famous 300 foot underground tour with a real miner. Blaenavan Ironworks is also highly recommended – now a museum.
Alternatively, if it’s walking that you fancy, then 20 minutes north of Blaenavon, just off the B4246 is the stunning location of Keeper’s Pond where a 10 minute walk round the perimeter can be enjoyed and exhilarating views over the water to the surrounding mountains of the Brecon Becons. The lake is a popular venue for wild swimming and picnics too!

Back to Blaenavon and on the bus retuning towards Newport, maybe if time permits or you are stopping off overnight to break your journey, a visit to Cwmbran. Here you can gorge on the delights of the Cwmbran Park and Boating Lake Circular walk which is a 5.5km trail that takes about 1hr 15 minutes. Solitude can be enjoyed and a feeling of being at one with the range of wildlife which includes, on this gentle, flat route, a vast array of birds.

With serenity experienced, the bus back to the vibrant town of Newport to complete your journey is in order and a bit of retail therapy perhaps or an afternoon tour of the famous distillery. Alternatively, a visit to the Medieval Newport Ship Project is fascinating – the only 15th century ship to have survived to the present day.

• X24 Bus Route & Timetable: Newport – Blaenavon | Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com)
• Bus Tickets & Bus Fare Prices | Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com)

And for the more ambitious…

Combine your trip with a 15 minute journey into Cardiff by train and then the open top bus provided by Cardiff Buses to Cardiff Bay and then enjoy the eclectic life in this great city, from the castle to cricket, retail to relaxation, there’s something for everyone in Cardiff.

Gateway to the X24:

By train to Newport on Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales or CrossCountry Trains with access from all major cities in the UK.

By Megabus to Newport from Central London, Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Bristol and Swansea. The Megabus stop in Newport is at the railway station, 6 minutes walk from the X24 bus stop at Friars Walk Bus Station.