Abertillery is a former coal mining town. At its peak there was a busy commercial centre with 2 department stores, and there are still some fascinating Victorian buildings. There is a local museum, and nearby is Guardian, an imposing 20m sculpture remembering the 45 miners who lost their lives in a mining disaster at Six Bells Mine in 1960. On the hills above the town you will find St Illtyd’s Church and a Norman Motte, both dating back to the 13th century.

Brynmawr is cited as the highest town in Wales at 460m above sea level. On the edge of the coalfield, the town was always a transport route, initially as a stop on the route to Abergavenny, and later as a train stop for the iron and coal being taken out of the valley. During the great depression the Quakers came to the area to help the local population with volunteers from across Europe improving facilities and by creating a furniture factory to create employment – which together became known as the Brynmawr Experiment. There is a large collection of Brynmawr Furniture in the local museum, which is near the local cinema, Wales’ oldest cinema. You will also find the highest golf club in Great Britain, at West Mon Golf Club, where the 14th tee stands at 463m and stunning views across the Brecon Beacons and the Valleys.

Ebbw Vale was an iron and steel town, and was home to the largest steel works in the 1930’s. The history can be explored at the Steel Works Museum and Gwent Archives, both of which are located at the impressive General Offices. You can also visit Festival Park, which is a reminder of The Garden Festival held here in 1992.

Tredegar was an iron town on the edge of the Tredegar Estate, and is unusual in that the centre of the town was planned, with wide roads leading to The Circle, where the Tredegar Clock was erected in 1858.The area’s greatest claim to fame is as the inspiration for the National Health Service. Aneurin Bevan was born and brought up in Tredegar and started his political career in the Town Council, before being elected as MP for the area, and later becoming Minister for Health and Housing. His vision for the NHS was inspired by the Tredegar Medical Aid Society, he said "All I am doing is extending to the entire population of Britain the benefits we had in Tredegar for a generation or more. We are going to 'Tredegarise' you"