Abergavenny is an historic market town in the north of the county that can trace its history back to Roman times. A vibrant and unspoilt town, Abergavenny also acts as the Gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park with the Black Mountains being the closest mountain range. Visitors to Abergavenny may enjoy walking, cycling and bird watching, or for the more adventurous there is the opportunity for paragliding and mountain biking.
Those with an interest in the Industrial Heritage of South Wales take advantage of the proximity to the World Heritage Site at Blaenavon with Big Pit being one of the many free local attractions. | The roman fort of Gobannium was established in Abergavenny in 57 or 58 A.D. However, the real birth of the town dates to the period of the Norman conquest of Wales in the late 11th century. In about 1087, Hamelin of Ballon, the conqueror of northern Gwent, built a motte and bailey castle at Abergavenny.