Pontypool Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Big Pit National Coal Museum
Big Pit National Coal Museum showing interior views
Big Pit National Coal Museum
Big Pit National Coal Museum
Big Pit National Coal Museum

Pontypool is a town on the Afon Lwyd River, in the county borough of Torfaen, but historically part of Monmouthshire.

Conveniently located halfway between Abergavenny and Newport, and a stone’s throw from the city delights of Cardiff and the natural sights of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The iron industry was historically of great importance to the town, with the Hanbury family being responsible for much of its development since the 16th Century. Their former family seat was Pontypool Park, a grand manor house with grounds stretching over 150 acres. In 1920 the park entered public ownership, and since then has become a focal point for leisure activities in the town.

Rugby is a very popular sport here, as it is in the rest of Wales, and the town boasts several teams, most notably Pontypool RFC, established in 1870, who play at Pontypool Park.

Pontypool Park is an important hub for other sports and leisure in the town, and has swimming and gym facilities, tennis courts, netball courts, a bowling green, a pitch and putt course, and a children’s play area, as well as the oldest dry skiing slope in Wales.

The town also has its own golf club and other courses within easy reach in the surrounding area.

Pontypool offers a useful selection of shops, from small independent traders to large multinational chains. The recently refurbished Pontypool Indoor Market was built in 1894, and to this day remains a vibrant shopping area, with a wide selection of local traders selling everything from hot and cold meals and drinks to fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, flowers, books, clothes, and much more.

Pontypool has a good range of restaurants, cafes and pubs, including traditional fish and chip shops, takeaways, cafes, upmarket gastro pubs and restaurants serving fresh local produce.

Pontypool Museum is located in a Georgian stable block in Pontypool Park, and gives visitors an insight into the region’s industrial and cultural history. It also features regular exhibitions of local artists’ work, and is home to the Dobell-Moseley Library and Archive, a resource for those conducting research into the local area.

Blaenavon lies a short distance along the A465 from Pontypool, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring one of the best preserved 18th Century ironworks in the whole of Europe, and the Big Pit Mining Museum.

Where to stay in Pontypool

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Pen Tranch

While Pen Tranch isn't home to many top sights, Pontypool Park and Big Pit National Coal Museum are some notable places to visit nearby.

Pen Tranch
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Pontymoile

While visiting Pontymoile, you might make a stop by sights like Pontypool Park and Shell Grotto.

Pontymoile
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Abersychan

While there might not be top attractions in Abersychan, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Pontypool Park and Big Pit National Coal Museum.

Abersychan
Best Western Pontypool Metro Hotel
Best Western Pontypool Metro Hotel
3 out of 5
Lower Mill Field, Pontypool, Wales
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £53 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
£53
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Pontypool. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"I was really impressed by this hotel, it was only really a bed for a night so I had low expectations but I was absolutely happy with how clean and comfy the room was. I wasn’t expecting a bar either or the secure free parking so this was all a nice surprise. Will definitely be using this hotel ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Best Western Pontypool Metro Hotel
The Angel Hotel
The Angel Hotel
3 out of 5
Castle Street, Cardiff, Wales
The price is £72 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
£72
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,468 reviews)
"Ideal location for visiting Cardiff, right opposite the castle. Walking distance for shops, eateries, bars, castle and museum. Hotel has no parking itself but there's an NCP just around the corner. Useful disabled access door and lift round the right hand side of the hotel. Sadly only one of the ..."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

The Angel Hotel
Mollie's Motel & Diner
Mollie's Motel & Diner
3.5 out of 5
Cribbs Causeway, A4018, Bristol, England
The price is £77 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£77
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Bristol. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,101 reviews)
"Just came back from a great little stay at this hotel, the room was really nice and staff friendly and helpful. Would defo use again"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Mollie's Motel & Diner
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lovely Bk Calypso Bluebird 6 Berth Holiday Caravan
Lovely Bk Calypso Bluebird 6 Berth Holiday Caravan
2 out of 5
Pontypool, Wales
Stay at this holiday home in Pontypool. Enjoy a garden. Popular attractions Pontypool Park and Shell Grotto are located nearby.
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
"The caravan is a bit old, but we still had a nice time. We slept well, so that was very good. We would book again, for a long weekend for example."

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

Lovely Bk Calypso Bluebird 6 Berth Holiday Caravan
The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
3 out of 5
10 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (262 reviews)
Just the fit
"Very good location, close enough to town, but in a quiet Away close to lovely park."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation
Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation
4 out of 5
Usk Way, Endeavour House, Newport, Wales
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Newport. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Friars Walk Newport and Newport ...
8/10 Very Good! (205 reviews)
"Inside was great, the staff were very helpful and friendly, the room was fine, though the carpet was a bit tired. It was just by a busy bridge which had a lot of traffic and mostly it became quiet when the window was closed. I will certainly think of staying in places like that again (student ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Pontypool

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 27%
4 - Good
4
4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 36%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Didn't specifically visit.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Space around the park very good and well used, worth another visit

Cities near Pontypool