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Merthyr Tydfil
Capital of the Valleys
(Onetime Iron Capital of the World) |
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Merthyr Tydfil was arguably the iron capital of the world during the
greater part of the C19th. It may be regarded as one of the cradle
locations of the Industrial Revolution.
Merthyr Tydfil is no longer the Iron capital but prides itself on being
the commercial and shopping capital of the Heads of the Valleys region.
The heavy industries of Iron and Coal have long ceased to play a part in
the economic life of Merthyr Tydfil. However Merthyr Tydfil has retained
a wealth of heritage sites reflecting the town's important industrial
past. Combined they offer an interesting historical vista into the social
and economic forces that transformed the face of the world. These heritage
sites will certainly appeal to the demanding and discerning tourist of the
late 1990’s. |
Merthyr Tydfil has a claim to being the town where the
first steam locomotive ran on rails. This first journey made by Richard
Trevithick was made in 1804 partly precipitated as the result of a wager. Today
you can still travel back to the age of steam on one of the Great Little Trains
of Wales namely the Brecon Mountain Railway whose terminus is located at Pant,
Merthyr Tydfil. Vintage steam locomotives follow a railway line offering
stunning panorama of the Central Massif of the Brecon Beacons National Park. On
a clear day the distinctive shape of Pen y Fan at 2906ft the highest peak in
South Wales dominates the distant profile of the landscape. The Journey includes
a stop alongside Pontsticill Reservoir where you can picnic, stroll along the
footpath encircling the water, or visit the snack bar. The line has recently
been extended and a further extension is planned. The main terminus at Pant
allows the ticket holder opportunity to look round the locomotive workshop and
find out how old steam locomotives are repaired. A special service runs in
December in which Father Christmas meets the train and distributes presents to
the children. (Advance booking essential). For further information: Tel:01685 722988
Facilities for the Disabled: Parking facilities, Ramps, Toilets.
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Merthyr Tydfil is admirably located on
the doorstep of some of the loveliest scenery in Wales. Those parts of the town high above
sea level offer a stunning panorama of the central Massif of the Brecon Beacons National
Park. One of the finest vantage points to view Pen Y Fan and Corn Du can be found at Pant
and at the highest points above Heolgerrig. Well located at the southern entrance to the
Brecon Beacons National Park, 30 minutes north of Cardiff, and less than 35 miles from
Swansea and the Gower Peninsula Merthyr Tydfil is the ideal base for touring South and Mid
Wales. City Country and Coast; Mountains, Reservoirs, and Woodland; Theatre, Restaurants
and a wealth of Public Houses full of character and populated by characters. All within
easy reach offering a wide range of leisure opportunities whatever your particular
interests.
There are a wide variety of activities
to suit everyone's interest available in the immediate locality including:
- fishing large
leisure complex rambling
& guided walks weight
training pony
trekking indoor bowls
- sailing explore
Merthyr's rich industrial history windsurfing
take
a ride on a mountain railway
- cycling
& mountain biking have
a picnic golf
discover
a nature trail.
The beautiful and dramatic countryside
surrounding Merthyr Tydfil is a perfect setting for a wide range of activities. Walkers of
all kinds will find an endless choice of challenging and gentle routes. In particular one
of the newest long distance footpaths in Wales the Taff Trail. The southern boundary of
the Brecon Beacons National Park is immediately to the north of the County Borough.
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For more information on the Taff Trail write to:
The Taff Trail Project c/o Merthyr and Cynon Groundwork Trust Fedw Hir Llwydcoed Aberdare
Taf Trail Long Distance Footpath
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Cycling is another excellent way of touring this
scenic area.
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For the nature lover the Taf Fechan Nature
Reserve is worthy of exploration as is Pontsarn. Pontsarn
in the Brecon Beacons National Park
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It should be noted that the Taf Fechan Nature
Reserve car park and picnic site at Pontsarn is a high risk location where many vehicles
have been damaged or stolen.
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The opportunities for fishing in the locality are
excellent both river and reservoir though please ensure that you have obtained the
appropriate licences and permits.
Where
to Fish In Wales
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There are three golf courses in the vicinity of
Merthyr Tydfil including the 18 Hole Course at Morlais Castle to the north of the Borough.
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Rhydycar Leisure Centre is situated
near the centre of the town and caters for many sporting activities. Facilities
for bowls are particularly good and the Centre also features an excellent health
suite. Please note it does not have a swimming pool. Swimming facilities in
Merthyr Tydfil are poor. Given the absence of a theatre the Leisure Centre is
also the major entertainment’s venue for the town and on occasion hosts concerts
and shows. Disabled access to most areas of Leisure Centre.
For further Information Tel: Rhydycar Leisure
Centre 01685 371491
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Cyfarthfa Castle was built to be the
home of the ironmaster William Crawshay II. This mock gothic castle was designed by the
architect Robert Luger in 1824. Grand, castellated, and set in 160 acres of parkland
Cyfarthfa Castle overlooked Crawshay’s immensely successful Cyfarthfa ironworks. It
has been described as " the most impressive monument of the Industrial Iron Age in
South Wales." Cyfarthfa Castle is now owned by the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough
Council and the south wing is home to the civic museum and art gallery. This wing was
extensively refurbished prior to reopening in May 1993 with the intention of conveying an
authentic flavour of the Castle's origins as a grand house of the Regency period. Amongst
the new additions is an Italian Style Cafe and courtyard seating area where you can relax
awhile and savour a cup of cappuccino and a reviving snack. Some 12,000 visitors tour the
castle annually and in 1995 they included Goldie Hawn. The extensive basements of the
castle have been converted as an area where the where the social and industrial history of
Merthyr Tydfil is interpreted.
The parkland surrounding the castle includes a
lake, woodland walk, cafe, tennis courts, bowling greens, a pitch and putt course,
children’s adventure playground and on summer weekends a model steam railway. A
variety of events are held here throughout the year.
Cyfarthfa Castle, Brecon Road,
Merthyr Tydfil,
CF47 8RE Tel: +44 (0)1685 723 112
Fax: +44 (0)1685 723 112
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Ynysfach Engine House Heritage Centre
This restored industrial building once housed
the beam engine for the blast furnaces of Ynysfach Ironworks. The Ironworks were built in
the early nineteenth century and formed an integral part of the Crawshay "Iron
Kingdom". This stunning early industrial building now contains exhibitions, life size
models and an exciting audio-visual show entitled The Story of Iron in Merthyr Tydfil'. It
is narrated by the Merthyr born actor Philip Madoc and can be heard in either Welsh or
English as requested. The downstairs area offers for sale a range of local history
publications, as well as Welsh crafts and souvenirs. A coffee shop serves an appetising
range of snacks. Evening tours and lectures are also held here occasionally.
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The
Ynysfach Engine House is located just off the
A470 behind Merthyr Tydfil College immediately opposite the Civic Centre and within
walking distance of the Bus Station, Railway Station and Tourist Information Office.
Follow brown tourism signs from A470 or A465.Free car parking. toilets, admission charge
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For further information Tel Merthyr Tydfil
Heritage Trust ( 01685 383704 or 721858).
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Facilities for the Disabled : Difficult access.
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Just five minutes walk from the Ynysfach engine
house can be found Chapel Row the childhood home and birthplace of Dr Joseph Parry. This
celebrated composer of Myfanwy is arguably Wales most famous musician and composer. His
birthplace has been carefully restored by Merthyr Tydfil Heritage Trust to show how it
would have looked in the 1840’s during Joseph Parry’s childhood there. This
small industrial terrace contains an exhibition about his life and works. During your
visit there you will hear his lovely distinctive and immediately familiar music playing in
the background. The cottage is a typical skilled ironworkers cottage similar to many built
in Merthyr in the 1820s. At the front of the cottage there is a small restored section of
the Glamorganshire Canal which linked the ironworks of Merthyr Tydfil to the docks at
Cardiff.
- Location: Off the A470 about a mile to the south
of Cyfarthfa Castle and Park. Free parking Small admission charge. Souvenirs.Tel. Merthyr Tydfil Heritage Trust on 01685
721858 or 383704.
- Facilities for the Disabled : Parking
facilities with access for wheelchairs on ground floor only.
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The age of steam is also well represented by two
impressive viaducts to the north of the town at Pontsarn and
Cefn Coed.
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Historic and architectural fine buildings to be
seen in and around Merthyr include: St Tydfil’s Church, the Robert and Lucy Thomas
Fountain, the Blast Engine House, Guest Memorial Hall, and stables in Dowlais.
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Near
Pontsarn to the north of the town at stands
the remains of a Norman Castle built in 1270. Morlais Castle was never completed and all
that remains is the subterranean crypt the pinnacle of which offers fine and expansive
views of the Taf Valley and the Brecon Beacons.
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Unusual and tempting is a visit to the sweet
manufacturer F. W. Bray and Sons at 12b High St. Old fashioned boiled sweets are made by
hand and sold to local shops. Tel: 01685723133 for further details regarding limited
opening times. Disabled visitors please ring ahead for assistance.
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The Garwnant Forest Centre is sited in the Taff
Fawr valley some five miles north of Merthyr Tydfil . It is easily accessible by car and
limited public transport. Garwnant offers the visitor the
chance to discover all about the natural world of the forests of the Brecon Beacons.
Garwnant is a multipurpose site at which the large numbers of visitors are encouraged to
enjoy the surrounding countryside through formal and informal recreation. Recreational
opportunities include walking, picnicking and off road cycling routes. Here is a cycle
hire facility. There is an adventure playground freely available for use by young people
if supervised by an accompanying adult. Educational visits are also encouraged and catered
for. Other facilities at Garwnant include an information centre, a lecture room with audio
visual facilities, a gift shop, café, toilets, interpretation boards and outdoor picnic
tables.
- Facilities for the disabled include a specially
designed route through the forest.
- For further information please contact Tel:
01685-723060.
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Garwnant Forest Visitor Centre:
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A
Mountain Hut Production
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