Newbridge was then a predominantly Welsh agrarian community of rural farms and sheep pasture with a low population.

The modern road pattern did not exist—all activity and commerce took place along the mountain tracks, which led over Mynyddislwyn and Mynydd Maen.

Like many towns in the area, it underwent a population explosion and socio-economic change with the arrival of coal mining in the 19th century.

[3] The local collieries enjoyed a reputation for highly skilled miners, a productive workforce and non-radical politics, and the community had thriving shops, churches, chapels and sports teams.[citation?]

Newbridge Town AFC play in the 7th tier of Welsh football, the North Gwent Premier League, and were champions for the 2022/23 season.

The Celynen Collieries' Institute (1908) and Memorial Hall (1925) on High Street, are both listed buildings, the Memo being Grade II*.

The Memo contains a ballroom with a sprung dance floor and an art deco auditorium which was designed to be both a theatre and a cinema.

They narrowly missed winning the final but received assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund to begin the long process of raising money to restore both buildings.

Notable people to have grown up in Newbridge include, world-champion boxer Joe Calzaghe; Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown; Steve Strange, frontman of New Romantic band Visage; and Sir Terry Matthews, high-tech entrepreneur and owner of the Celtic Manor Resort.