Pontypool is a market town in the county borough of Torfaen, south‑east Wales, nestling in the valley of the Afon Lwyd. It is overlooked by the wooded slopes and meadows of Pontypool Park, a large Victorian parkland that remains the town’s green heart, and sits not far from the industrial heritage landscape around Blaenavon, a reminder of the area’s 18th–19th century expansion.
Historically Pontypool grew up around ironworks, coal and tinplate production and became noted for a lacquered metalwork finish often called Pontypool Japan; the decline of heavy industry has left a mix of light manufacturing and commuter communities with many residents travelling to Newport or Cardiff for work. The town still has a strong local identity, visible in community events and a proud rugby tradition centred on Pontypool RFC, and its industrial past is interpreted locally and in nearby museums and heritage sites.
Postcode districts covering Pontypool
Most populated places nearby
- Bristol 24.7 miles
- Cardiff 14.7 miles
- Newport 8.2 miles
- Weston-super-Mare 24.4 miles
- Tonypandy 18.9 miles
- Barry 22 miles
- Cwmbran Central 3.3 miles
- Cwmbrân 3.2 miles
- Merthyr Tydfil 15.2 miles
- Ebbw Vale 9.7 miles
- Ebbw Vale North 9.8 miles
- Ebbw Vale South 9 miles
Neighbouring places
- Pontymoile Parish 0.1 miles
- Panteg Parish 0.9 miles
- New Inn Parish 1.2 miles
- Pontypool Fawr Ward 1.4 miles
- Trevethin Parish 1.4 miles
- Trevethin and Penygarn Ward 1.4 miles
- Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood Ward 1.9 miles
- Pontnewydd Parish 2 miles
- Pen Tranch Parish 2 miles
- Mamhilad Built-up area 2.1 miles
- Upper Cwmbran Parish 2.2 miles
- Croesyceiliog Parish 2.6 miles
Example postcodes in Pontypool
NP4 8HJ, NP4 8EP, NP4 0BZ, NP4 8DX, NP4 0LY, NP4 6NG, NP4 8ND, NP4 6HA, NP4 5EG … See all
Transport links
- Cardiff Airport 24.5 miles
- Bristol Airport 25.5 miles
- Pontypool and New Inn Railway Station 0.9 miles
- Cwmbran Railway Station 2.7 miles
Hotels near Pontypool Ad
- Best Western Pontypool Metro Hotel 3 0.6 miles
- The Kings Head, Usk 5.6 miles
- Parkway Hotel & Spa 4 4.4 miles
- The Castle Inn 5.7 miles
- Newbridge on Usk 4 7 miles
- Tŷ Newport 4 7.9 miles
- The Priory Hotel and Restaurant 4 6.9 miles
- The Glen Yr Afon House Hotel 4 5.4 miles
- Mercure Newport Hotel 4 7.6 miles
- Holiday Inn Express Newport 3 9.3 miles
Schools in Pontypool
- Cwmffrwdoer Primary Primary
- George Street Primary School Primary
- Griffithstown Primary School Primary
- New Inn Primary School Primary
- Padre Pio RC Primary School Primary
- Penygarn Community Primary School Primary
- St. Albans R.C. High School Secondary
- West Monmouth School Secondary
- Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw All ages
- Ysgol Panteg Primary
Local points of interest
- Pontypool Park Stadium 0.4 miles
- Cwmbran Town Stadium 3.7 miles
- Blaenavon World Heritage Centre Museum 5.8 miles
- Tredegar Park Estate 8.9 miles
- Newport Stadium Stadium 8.9 miles
- Craig Llysfaen Mountains 11.1 miles
- Grace Dieu Abbey Historic site 13 miles
- Ninewells Wood Forest 13.9 miles
- Old Park wood Forest 14.2 miles
- Sardis Road Stadium 14.9 miles
- Cuckoo Wood Forest 15 miles
- Chepstow Racecourse Recreation 15.1 miles