Venues & attractions

Pontypridd

Pontypridd is built at the convergence of the Rivers Rhondda and Taff. It is a bustling, traditional market town, a centre of culture and heritage, and it is surrounded by the beautiful hills and countryside that make the Welsh valleys so distinctive. Pontypridd boasts the beautiful Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, a thriving theatre ‘The Muni’ and is also home to the famous World of Grogg’s and the University.

Old Bridge, Pontypridd from the Taff

Aberdare

Aberdare is a busy shopping town which combines an eventful history with a grand scenic setting and an unusual claim to fame as the cradle of the British film industry. Aberdare boasts the oldest surviving building in the County Borough, the Church of St John the Baptist, Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery, Aberdare Park and Dare Valley Country Park.

Church in Aberdare Rhondda Cynon Taf

Dare Valley Country Park

Dare Valley Country Park was Britain’s first country park to be developed on former industrialised land. The South Wales coal seam rises close to the surface in Dare Valley where 19 pits and drift mines once tore open the land. Following the decline of the industry, the valley was extensively landscaped and today it boasts 500 acres of beautiful park land. In summer months RSPB television feeds from Peregrine Nesting sites can be viewed from the cafeteria.

Couple on bridge in Dare Valley Country Park Butterfly on a cornflower at Dare Valley Country Park

Penrhys

At 1100 ft above sea level, Penrhys is an unusual valleys village. Although it is well known today for its distinctive dwellings built in the 1960’s, it is worth visiting for its glorious views over the Rhondda Valleys down to the coast and for its statue and Well the site of annual pilgrimages.

Rhondda Heritage Park

Based at the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Trehafod, Rhondda Heritage Park is a living testament to the mining communities of the World famous Rhondda Valleys. The Rhondda Valley’s helped to power the world, and the character and culture of the Rhondda is brought to life in the ‘Black Gold’ story through exciting multi media displays set in three restored colliery buildings and tours conducted by retired miners from the South Wales Coalfield.

Miner with children underground in rhondda heritage park

Ty Newydd Country Hotel

The Ty Newydd Country Hotel provides every modern convenience whilst retaining the character and style of a fine Georgian country house. We have twenty-eight beautifully appointed bedrooms to unwind in. Free broadband connection in every room. We have a fantastic restaurant, log fires, a welcoming bar and lovely gardens with magnificent views of the Beacons and Neath Valley.

Heritage Park Hotel

Set in the famous and beautiful Rhondda Valley, adjacent to Rhondda Heritage Park. The Rhondda Valleys are transformed from being the centre of heavy engineering and mining, to being green and lush. They retain their sense of pride and traditional heritage but combine it with a new optimism. Never has the phrase 'How green is my valley' been more appropriate. The Hotel combines a blend of modern day requirements, with a sense of pride of heritage and warmth from bygone days.

External Heritage Park Hotel

Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery

Cynon Valley Museum & Gallery opened in 2001 and is situated on the outskirts of Aberdare in the south Wales valleys. The museum & gallery is situated on the site of the 19th century Gadlys Ironworks.

The Grogg Shop

Established in 1965, the World of Groggs had a somewhat humble beginning. In what was first a desperate attempt to escape the rat race, founder John Hughes entered the world of ceramics via a back garden shed, and the first of the Groggs were born. From this makeshift studio came an army of weird and wonderful creations – mythical creatures from Welsh legend, small animal caricatures and ashtrays, along with the now unmistakable sporting ‘Uglies’, clay rugby figures which would become the template for the future.

Pontypridd Museum

Pontypridd Museum tells the history of Pontypridd and its people through a variety of exhibitions. The converted Welsh Baptist Chapel situated next to Pontypridd’s iconic Edward’s Bridge (known locally as the Old Bridge) houses working models of nearby canals, mines and railways, archived film and voice records of the history of the area, historical objects and a magnificent pipe organ which is still used for recitals.

To find out more about Destination Rhondda Cynon Taf and the opportunity to enter one of our draws to win a fantastic weekend for two at one of our premier hotels, please click here.

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