Merthyr Tydfil
MERTHYR TYDFIL sits where the south Wales valleys meet the high, open country of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (formerly the Brecon Beacons) – a place shaped by industry, surrounded by mountains, and laced with trails. Today it makes an excellent base for heritage, nature and adventure, with the national park adopting its Welsh name in 2023 and redoubling its focus on conservation and access.
The town’s story is writ large at Cyfarthfa Castle, the castellated former home of ironmaster William Crawshay II. Set in around 160 acres of landscaped parkland with woodland walks, lake and gardens, the site houses a museum and art gallery charting Merthyr’s past, from the Roman era through the Industrial Revolution. Families love the play areas and seasonal events; history fans linger over the ironworking displays and local art.
Merthyr was once ‘the iron capital of the world’, and you can still sense that energy along local walking and cycling routes. The Trevithick Trail follows the path of the world’s first locomotive-hauled railway journey of 1804, when Richard Trevithick’s engine steamed from Penydarren to Abercynon – a formative moment in global transport history.
Outdoorsy visitors are spoiled. BikePark Wales, just south of town, is the UK’s largest purpose-built mountain bike park, with graded trails for all abilities, uplift service to the top, coaching, and a friendly café – perfect whether you’re a first-timer or chasing airtime.
For something gentler, ride the narrow-gauge Brecon Mountain Railway. Vintage steam trains chuff from Pant (north of Merthyr) up into the hills, skirting the Taf Fechan Reservoir and climbing to Torpantau for wide-screen views of the Bannau. It’s a nostalgic, scenic outing that suits all ages.
Walkers and cyclists gravitate to the Taff Trail, a 55-mile route between Cardiff and Brecon. The Merthyr section links the dramatic, 19th-Century Cefn Coed Viaduct with Pontsticill Reservoir, mixing traffic-free rail paths and quiet lanes as it rises into the hills. Pack a picnic; the viewpoints over the national park are superb.
Pontsticill itself is worth a linger. The graceful valve tower and eye-catching bell-mouth overflow (the ‘giant plughole’) are favourites with photographers, and there are easy shoreline strolls with benches, birdlife and big skies.
Back in town, the terracotta-fronted Old Town Hall has enjoyed a new lease of life as Redhouse Cymru, an arts and creative industries centre hosting exhibitions, live events and community programmes in a handsome Grade II landmark on Penderyn Square. It’s a lovely stop for culture between trail days, although unfortunately closed to the public in 2024 due to contract complexities.
Why visit? Because Merthyr blends edge-of-park scenery with hands-on heritage and proper Welsh warmth. Spend a morning exploring Cyfarthfa’s galleries and gardens, ride steam through upland valleys after lunch, then roll an evening Taff Trail spin as the hills purple in the late light. Whether you come for bikes, history, big views or all three, this is a town that rewards curiosity – and makes it easy to return for more.
PICTURE SPECIAL: A WANDER AROUND… MERTHYR
SPORT: MERTHYR’S LORDS OF THE RING
INDUSTRY: THE STRANGE STORY OF THE SINCLAIR C5
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