The Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills was established in 1859, with the first edition on 5 March 1859.

[3] In the 1980s, Don Touhig, later to become the Member of Parliament for Islwyn and a life peer, was editor of the newspaper.

[8][9] Touhig worked on the paper from 1968 to 1994, starting as a journalist, and ending as general manager of the Free Press Group.

[14][15] The paper maintains a close relationship with the local rugby club, Pontypool RFC, as "Official Media Partner".

[17] The paper is currently released as a tabloid and in 2013 had an average circulation of 5,022 (including The Free Press) with a cover price of £0.40.