Torfaen
About the Constituency
Torfaen is located to the north of Newport in the former county of Gwent, South Wales.
It is formed of Cwmbran, a new town, and the ‘Eastern Valley’, which contains the valley towns of Pontypool and Blaenavon. However, the Cwmbran wards of Llanyrafon and Croesyceiliog fall within the Monmouth Parliamentary constituency.
In common with the other Welsh valleys to the west, the area has a great steel producing and coal mining heritage. Nick’s home town Blaenavon, in the north of the constituency, was awarded World Heritage Status in 2000 and is well worth a visit. Attractions around the town include the award-winning Big Pit National Mining Museum, where visitors can find out about coal mining and travel down a mine. Cyclists and others keen on the outdoors will find stunning scenery around Blaenavon, including Keepers Pond above the town and the famous ‘Tumble’, as the road up the mountain from Govilon is known by cyclists. Going south, you can also ride on the Pontypool and Blaenavon railway, visit Pontypool museum or Greenmeadow Community Farm, or go to the renowned Cwmbran Shopping Centre to pick up a few bargains! Or, to the north, the Brecon Beacons National Park, with its natural beauty and great walking routes, are just on our doorstep.