Merthyr Tydfil tourist information

The historic town of Merthyr Tydfil is at the heart of the south Wales valleys, known for their proud communities founded on an stong Celtic heritage and an industrial past built of coal and iron.

Merthyr today is a large town with shops and amenities serving a wide area. It also has a long history, being named after the 5th century 'Martyr Tudful', the daughter of the Chieftain Brychan, who was a Christain killed by the local pagan Picts and Saxons.

The town saw huge expansion in the 18th and 19th century, becoming one of the world's greatest producers of iron. The largest factories were Dowlais (with the remains of its Ynysfach Engine House still standing) and Cyfarthfa ironworks. The owners of Cyfarthfa built a beautiful castellated mansion high in the valley overseeing the works. This fine building is now in public ownership and houses the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery. In sharp constrast, their workers often sufferred terrible conditions. Joseph Parry's cottages is a reconstruction of a typical humble 19th century ironworkers dwelling. Parry himself went on to become one of the most famous composers in Wales.

The surrounding area is typically beautiful valleys scenery - with wooded hills, lakes and mountains in the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons national park. Nearby is the lovely Garwnant forest, with all sorts of activies on offer. Don't miss the amazing Cefn Coed Viaduct to the north of the town.