Blaenau Gwent and its surrounding area was at the forefront of the industrial revolution in the 19th century. It is a county rich with historic buildings, ancient monuments and important heritage sites, set within very attractive  landscapes. Gwent was the Welsh kingdom founded by Caradoc Freichfras that succeeded the Roman occupation of native Silurian territory in south Wales.  It stretched from the river Rhymney to the river Wye, and it may also have extended east of the river Wye into to the area called Cantref Coch in Welsh and known in English as The Forest of Dean.

The Blaenau are the mountainous uplands of this historic Gwent kingdom and they extend from Blaen Rhymni to Blaen Llwyd.

Blaenau Gwent Heritage Forum includes the history of the Rhymney area (now in Caerphilly Borough) and that of the Blaenafon area (now in Torfaen Borough) as well as  the territory  between these locations.