The Coal House

In 2007 and 2008 the Blaenavon Ironworks was the location for the BBC television series Coal House and Coal House at War. Millions of viewers regularly tuned in to see modern day families transported back to the early twentieth century to face the challenges and hardships of those times.

The first series, set in 1927, became a major topic of conversation in Blaenavon and the rest of the country. The series, which focussed on the economic problems faced by Welsh coalmining families after the General Strike of 1926, transformed the Coal House families and locals who featured in the programme, into local celebrities.

The second series, Coal House at War, was set in 1944. It reminded us of the ‘forgotten armies’ of the Second World War such as the female munitions workers and the ‘Bevin Boys’, who were conscripted to work in the coal mines. The families and the Bevin Boys had to contend with challenges such as rationing, air raid precautions, evacuees and hard physical labour, all of which were part of the ‘Total War’ on the Home Front.

As you explore Blaenavon you can discover buildings and sites that featured in the series – for instance:

• The Blaenavon Ironworks and Stack Square
• The Workmen’s Hall – which featured in both series 
• Park Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel and Sunday School rooms – that featured in the first series

The BBC Coal House website contains a wealth of information concerning the series, including interviews with the cast and exclusive behind the scenes clips of the series. A section of the website allows for visitors to share their memories of the eras covered by Coal House and Coal House at War and includes the stories of some Blaenavon people. The website is a must see for any fan of the series. www.bbc.co.uk/wales/coalhouse|.

Coal House was recognised by BAFTA Cymru who, in April 2008, presented the producers with the prestigious Gwyn Alf Williams award for the programme’s contribution to the understanding and appreciation of Welsh history.