GWENT has two of the mustsee places in the UK, according to a popular tourist guide.

The eighth Rough Guide to Britain lists Blaenavon in its 32- strong list of the top places to visit in the whole of the country – but doesn’t say why.

It also says Abergavenny has some of the best restaurants.

Our two towns feature among some of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions, including the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall and the Edinburgh Festival.

Blaenavon has been a World Heritage Site since 2000, based on numerous monuments and buildings of significance in and around the town and on its industrial landscape.

It boasts the world heritage centre, Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway and the Big Pit National Mining Museum, which welcomes around 165,000 visitors a year. Local Cllr Stuart Evans said over the past ten years extensive regeneration to the town has improved it as an attraction and it has much to offer.

He said: “I think visitors can take away the hardships that were experienced in the past, the efforts to produce coal and steel for all over the world. That is a legacy that Blaenavon still has.”

Abergavenny has a number of top restaurants, including The Walnut Tree, The Hardwick and 1861.

Simon King, has run The Hardwick with his wife Kate for the past five years.

Mr King believes diners have a unique experience coming to Abergavenny. He offers a sevencourse menu, which uses top quality local produce.

He said: “We are very well blessed with that around here, with the produce that’s around.

“People tend to travel to the area, it’s well known for good food, particularly because of the Abergavenny Food Festival in September. We feel privileged to be here.”