Places to explore in Merthyr TydfilWales · South East Wales

Merthyr Tydfil grew from a village into the iron capital of the world, its furnaces at Cyfarthfa and Dowlais making it the largest town in Wales through the early nineteenth century. It sits at the head of the Taff valley, where the coalfield meets the southern wall of the Bannau Brycheiniog. The ironmasters' legacy survives in the grounds of Cyfarthfa Park, below the ruined Morlais Castle on its limestone hill. Above the town the Brecon Mountain Railway climbs past Pontsticill Reservoir into the hills, and the forestry holds the trails of BikePark Wales.