Newport

Wales’ third largest city, Newport’s ongoing regeneration offers high street brands, a leisure complex, multiplex cinema and vibrant nightlife. It’s also home to Rodney Parade (where you can catch the Newport Gwent Dragons rugby team in action), the Wales National Velodrome and The Riverfront theatre. Its compact city centre means you can get to most places on foot – including the iconic cathedral, museum and art gallery, and undercover market.

Blaenau Gwent

The home of Aneurin Bevan, Blaenau Gwent is a largely rural area that offers a mix of heritage sites, picturesque mountain views and bustling towns that give the county borough a busy, urban feel. Surrounded by countryside, the area offers a huge range of activities that range from outdoor pursuits and water sports at Parc Bryn Bach above Tredegar, to the indoor bowls centre in Abertillery. The Market Hall Cinema in Brynmawr is a great destination, and is now run by a local charity, and is thriving.

Monmouthshire

Hailed by The Times as one the best places to live in the UK in 2018, Monmouthshire is a vibrant county that’s filled with heritage, culture and leisure attractions. Its Wye and Usk valleys offer dramatic landscapes, nature trails and cycling paths, while the bustling town centre offers a mix of high street chains, independent bookshops, delis, antique shops and Michelin star gastro pubs. Every September, the historic market town of Abergavenny also plays host to a food festival which showcases over 200 stands dedicated to the best of the Welsh culinary world.

Caerphilly

Located just north of Cardiff, Caerphilly County Borough offers heritage, countryside, stunning landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities.

With a distinct history and heritage, the county town of Caerphilly was once an early medieval kingdom. Famous for its castle (the largest in Wales), Llancaiach Fawr Manor (which is known for its ghost tours), vibrant town centre and a rich leisure and events programme.

You will find impressive arts and entertainment programmes at the Blackwood Miners’ Institute and the Newbridge Memo, while other local attractions include Cwmcarn Forest (which offers cycling paths, hiking and nature trails), The Winding House in New Tredegar and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

Torfaen Borough

One of the region’s top commuter spots, Torfaen Borough is nestled between the vibrant city of Newport and the picturesque landscape of Monmouthshire. It’s home to Cwmbran Park (Wales’ second largest undercover shopping centre), Pontypool Park (known locally known as the People’s Park), and the Big Pit National Coal Museum. It’s also ideally located to explore the nature trails, cycling paths and outdoor activity centres within the South East Wales region.