It was surely destined that Blaenafon would one day become a tourist mecca. The great natural beauty of the surrounding countryside contrasting with the rugged industrial face of the town provides a landscape as unique as it is memorable. Add to this the fact that it is situated within what must be one of the most tourist-friendly areas on the planet and you can see why Blaenafon is such a magnet for visitors.

In the immediate area of Blaenafon town, the places to visit are (all featured on this site elsewhere in greater detail): Big Pit (winner of the 2005 Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year); Blaenavon Ironworks; Pontypool & Blaenavon railway; the town itself - UKDave's Tourist Photo Guide to Blaenafon has some good pictures - visit the Workmen's Hall, St Peter's church and Broad Street. There have been recent efforts to establish Blaenafon as a second-hand book centre to rival nearby Hay-on-Wye, but 'Blaenavon Booktown' is a little disappointing so far. No doubt this feature of the town will develop over the next few years.

At the moment there is a shortage of hotels and restaurants, but this is also due to change. Instead, Abergavenny is the nearest town offering accommodation and meals for all tastes, as well as a nice castle, however it lacks the character of Blaenafon. You will be surprised how different the two towns are, although just a few miles apart. The Brecon Beacons National Park starts just outside Blaenavon and as you head over the Blorenge towards Abergavenny, the Black Mountains come into view and the scenery changes completely from claustrophobic Welsh valley to rolling English pastoral vale.

In the same area, Crickhowell is worth a visit, if only for its fine bridge over the Usk and a good pub or two. Castles at Raglan, Caldicot, Chepstow, Caerphilly and Cardiff to name but a few are all within easy reach, as are Tintern Abbey and Llanthony Priory. The Roman Legionary Museum at Caerleon, Rhondda Heritage Park (especially the 1950s street), Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagan's (everyone's favourite), the Usk Rural Life Museum - all first-class tourist attractions within a short distance of Blaenafon.

Barry Island and Porthcawl are great traditional seaside resorts with pleasure parks - Southerndown is renown for surfing and has magnificent coastal walks. Newport Transporter Bridge is worth a detour to see.

A series of tours around Cordell Country that visit the locations of Alexander Cordell's novels is being developed and if you have read 'Rape of the Fair Country' you will want to visit Cyfarthfa Castle, home of William Crayshaw - the Bill Gates of his day.

See the Wales Tourist Board site for general information, and the links page has more tourist sites listed.