South Wales is a part of Wales known worldwide for its links with the mining industry but what isn't so well known is that the pits have now practically disappeared and the coal tips have returned to their former greenery.
The Borough of Islwyn, named after the poet Islwyn, has developed into a picturesque area of outstanding beauty.

Manmoel village is situated in the Borough of Islwyn and dates back to the 12th Century with the oldest known building being Tyr Capel (Welsh for Chapel) Farm. Manmoel is a quaint pretty village in which some of the TV series "District Nurse" was filmed.

The village has an Inn, a park, Village Hall and a chapel where on Sundays, morning and evening, services are held.
Social events play a large part in village life in which visitors are invited and welcomed to participate, the highlight of the year being the Summer Fete and Barbeque.
For the more active visitor to the area, Pony Trekking, Fishing and Walking are all available.

Local places of interest are many with Pen-y-Fan Country Park and Cwncarn Scenic Drive only minutes away. Islwyn Borough has a full diary of events of which information will be available at the cottages.
Nearby places of interest are Cardiff (capital of Wales) with its well preserved historic castle and what is considered by many to be the most impressive City Centre in Europe.
Sites of further interest within 15 minutes drive of the Capital are the Norman Castle at Caerphilly with its leaning tower, and the fairy tale castle of Castell Coch.

Other places likely to be of interest to visitors to the area are The Big Pit Mining Museum at Blaenavon, surely a must for everyone, and the historic market towns of Abergavenny, Brecon and Monmouth.

The Gower Peninsular with its many golden beaches are within an hour's drive away and is an area of outstanding beauty.