Barry Sidings Countryside Park

Barry Sidings is an attractive park of approximately 3.5 hectares. Located on the main B4753 close to Trehafod it was developed during the late 1980s on the original railway sidings where, in the past, coal was loaded from the adjacent pit to be transported down to the port of Barry.

Situated on the lower slopes of the Mynydd Gelliwion, the park stretches for about 1.5 kilometres along the southern bank of the river Rhondda.

barry sidings pond

The visitor centre has a café, which is open seasonally, public toilets are clean and well maintained, and there is ample and easily accessed car parking.

The park is easily accessed by public transport, there is a bus route along Gyfeillion road, and Trehafod train station is less than a mile away on foot or bicycle.

Walkers Barry Sidings

There is a wildflower bank designated as a wild zone, which supports increasing biodiversity due to its traditional hay meadow management. There are plant species such as black knapweed, meadowsweet and teasel these attract a variety of butterflies such as meadow brown to this area.

There is a short circular walk from the visitor centre that takes you through the park and up into the Forestry land above the park, this walk is not suitable for pushchairs as there are steps and uneven surfaces.

A further three walks from the visitor centre are being developed and will be in place by March 2009, these will vary in length and ability level.

Bee at Barry Sidings

The forestry tracks are used for informal mountain bike riding and some organised races take place on an annual basis.

For a more leisurely ride there is a cycle track that links Pontypridd (Taff Trail) to the Rhondda Heritage Park and the Valleys Cycle Network.

Rhondda Heritage Park from Barry Sidings

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