Ebbw Vale

Ebbw Vale is in Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire. It is the largest town in Blaenau Gwent, and is the home of its administration centre.

Ebbw Vale town centre

Understand

Ebbw Vale is a town in Blaenau Gwent, South Wales at the head of the valley formed by the Ebbw Fawr tributary of the Ebbw River, South Wales.

It was a small community that was completely transformed during the Industrial Revolution. This is due to the opening of Ebbw Vale Steelworks and of various coal mines in the area, none of which are still open today. Ebbw Vale is known for its innovative contributions to Britain's development, though the Steelworks and Coal mines have since stopped production. Because of the decline in steel and coal production, Ebbw Vale has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the United Kingdom.

Get in

Ebbw Vale is home to the 1 Ebbw Vale Parkway railway station, which has daily trips to Cardiff Central. In 2024, a major line upgrade enabled a new service to Newport to commence.

See

• 1 Festival Park Owl Sanctuary, ☏ +44 7805 677473. (updated Feb 2016)

Do

Entrance to Festival Park shopping outlet

• 1 Ebbw Vale Garden Festival Park. It was built in 1992 on the south side of the demolished steelworks. It is home to various shops including a branch of The Works, and various clothing and souvenir shops.  
• Rugby Union: Ebbw Vale RFC play in the Welsh Premiership, the amateur game's top tier. They play at Eugene Cross Park north side of town.

Eat

• The Bridge. Located in the heart of Ebbw Vale, The bridge offers a sophisticated menu and is complete with a bar. 
• Willow Tree. A pub that is seconds away from the Festival Park. It is one of the most popular restaurants in the area and offers a quiet atmosphere. There is also a patio area for a lakeside experience. 

Sleep

• 1 Premier Inn, Victoria Business Park, Waunllwyd, NP23 8AN, ☏ +44 871 527 8356. A chain hotel with an onsite restaurant. (updated Mar 2015)

Go next

• Tredegar
• Brynmawr