History

Built in the mid-twentieth century, this building held explosives for mining activities. Big Pit was operated in connection with Blaenavon Ironworks, then by the National Coal Board from 1947 to 1980. Underground workings date from the early C19 but the shaft on this site was sunk in 1860. The present surface structures date from between c1900 and the 1970's. This piecemeal development was typical of mines in South Wales and it is now the most complete remaining, having been reopened as a museum in 1983.

Interior

Single storey, rectangular brick building with flat concrete roof. Two doorways in the north-west elevation provided separate entrance and exit, with steel doors. That to the east has a flat roofed porch. Between the doors, set high up, is a wide slit window with angled brick sill. All openings have square heads with concrete lintels.

Reasons for Listing

Included for its group value as an integral part of the process at this colliery site.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29493054

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)