Merthyr Tydfil Tourist Information

Merthyr Tydfil, which is named after saint Tydfil sits on the edge of the Brecon Beacons. It once boasted the largest population in Wales, but since the decline of the coal mines and iron works, the area is now just a small town nestling between the hills of the Merthyr valley, with the lovely river Taff cutting the town in two parts.

The area has some of south Wales' most beautiful scenery, with the Brecon Beacons a few miles to the north, reservoirs, rolling hills and streams. The area is a must for ramblers, the local park and castle once belonged to the Crawshay family who owned most of the iron works in the town.

Cafarthfa castle is now a museum, one of the best in Wales, with many of the exhibits telling the story of Merthyr's industrial past.

The poet Joseph Parry was born and worked in the town, the cottage where he once resided is now a museum, situated only minutes from the town centre. Several statues of Merthyr's famous boxers, Johnny Owen, Howard Winston, and Eddie Thomas, can be seen in the town.

Description by Dale Miles