Brynmawr (pronounced /brɪnˈmaʊər/ brin-MOWR, Welsh: [brɨnˈmaur], sometimes hyphenated to Bryn-mawr, from Welsh Brynmawr, meaning "big hill") is a market town in Blaenau Gwent, South Wales. The town, sometimes cited as the highest town in Wales, is situated at 1,250 to 1,500 feet above sea level at the head of the South Wales Valleys. It grew with the development of the coal mining and iron industries in the early 19th century.