It is a former coal mining community which thrived as part of the South Wales coalfield community.

Nearby are the villages of Llanhilleth and Six Bells.

Today, one of the most prominent sights in Aberbeeg area is the St. Illtyd's parish church, which is thought to have been built in the late 5th century, and underwent extensive renovation over the last 200 years. After closing in 1962, the church was privately acquired in 1984. It has now returned to public ownership and is now open to visitors. The friends of St. Illtyd help Blaenau Gwent look after the building.

Aberbeeg railway station closed in 30 April 1962. Now the railway has been restarted the train does go through Aberbeeg once again. The buses that take people to the train station runs every hour to Llanhilleth where the nearest train station is located