A flock of 18 Bagot goats is set to arrive at the historic Blaenavon Ironworks to take part in an eco-friendly land management scheme.

The animals will utilise their natural foraging behaviour to help maintain and improve the area around the World Heritage Site.

The location, situated at the base of Bannau Brycheiniog and overseen by Cadw, features steep slopes and difficult terrain that creates problems for conventional grounds upkeep methods.

Bringing in goats provides a natural alternative approach.

Dr Kate Roberts, Cadw’s chief executive, stated that Blaenavon Ironworks represents a place where heritage and landscape are intrinsically linked, and this project captures that connection admirably.

The Bagot breed has inhabited the Welsh countryside for generations and will now assist in looking after this extraordinary area in a manner that respects its distinctive character, benefits local wildlife, and reduces environmental impact. The hope is that visitors will appreciate spotting them as part of the site’s narrative.

Bagot goats favour woody and fibrous vegetation including bramble, bracken, and hawthorn, which are species capable of rapidly taking over industrial sites.

Through their grazing activities, the goats will manage these plants, boosting biodiversity and supporting the development of wildflowers and grasses.

Unlike ride-on mowing equipment, which cuts vegetation to an even height, the goats’ selective browsing produces a varied terrain that supports pollinators and additional wildlife.

The animals also complement Cadw’s environmental objectives, requiring no fuel or chemical treatments while generating minimal waste.

The goats will be overseen using contemporary technology, incorporating virtual boundary collars and surveillance through 4G solar-powered camera systems.

They will be provided and maintained by Grazing Management Ltd, a business focused on ecological land management solutions.

Alex from Grazing Management Ltd noted that Blaenavon was renowned for remarkable ingenuity, and introducing fresh innovations to protect this historic location is a genuine honour.

The initiative demonstrates how preservation, heritage, and innovation can combine effectively.

Visitors will shortly have the opportunity to observe the goats working as part of the living narrative at Blaenavon Ironworks.