History

The water balance was used to lift iron and raw materials in trams between the furnace tops and the yard area. The tower was built in 1839, as part of a modernisation programme by James Ashworth, managing director of the Blaenavon Iron and Coal Company. Originally linked to the high ground behind by wooden bridge; later replaced by the surviving stone bridge. The tower housed a hydraulic lift comprising iron frame with wheel and chain over, linking a pair of lift cages. The cages each incorporated an iron water tank; by piping water in or out, trams could be lifted or lowered as required. Known locally as the 'guillotine' due to the action of the cages falling past the oval openings in the tower. Very few such towers survive.

Exterior

Built adjacent to high ground, on a T-shaped plan, the facade of this monumental stone construction tapers towards its ruined top. Remains of the iron hoist also survive. The rusticated ashlar facade has three large openings running vertically through its centre, each with three centred arches top and bottom. These are flanked by two huge pilasters. The lowest opening contains an arched entrance way for the trams, with a pit behind to accommodate the water tanks. Dressed stone to quoins and openings. The north-west corner of the tower incorporates a ruined structure. To the south-east the tower adjoins a retaining wall. The top of the tower and the bank to the rear are linked by a large, single span, stone bridge with dressed voussoirs.

Part of Scheduled Ancient Monument Mm 200.

Reasons for Listing

Listed at grade I as the most complete example of a balance tower in Wales.

Group value with other listed items at the internationally important Blaenavon Ironworks.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q17743729

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

• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)