Blaenavon, Mid-Torfaen, Pontypool and Cwmbran make up the communities of Torfaen.Cwmbran is the principal town of Torfaen County Borough/

Cwmbran is one of the Welsh new towns. It was established in the 1950s to provide new employment in the south eastern portion of the South Wales coalfield. Based around the villages of Cwmbran, Pontnewydd, Upper Cwmbran, Croesyceiliog, Llantarnam and Llanyravon, it has grown into a thriving and prosperous town of 60,000 people.

Pontypool is a town of approximately 37,000 people rich in historical significance. It is regarded as an industrial town with former industries including iron and steel production and the growth of the railways. A rather artistic industry which flourished here was Japan or lacquerware.

Blaenafon or Blaenavon lies high on a hillside and has a population of approximately 5,000 people. It has a rich heritage, having grown around an ironworks which was one of the largest in the world. The steel-making and coal mining industries followed, boosting the town's population to over 20,000 at one time, but since the ironworks closed in 1900 and the coal mine in 1980, the population has declined. Attractions in the town include the Big Pit mining museum and the Pontypool and Blaenavon steam railway, Blaenavon Community Heritage and Cordell Museum.