Things to do in Merthyr Tydfil County

Experience our tours with a maximum of 8 passengers per group. Settle into a comfortable van and escape Cardiff city to explore the medieval history of Wales. Discover the best attractions of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons), one of the three national parks in Wales. Enter the National Park to visit Henrhyd Falls, the tallest and most spectacular waterfall in South Wales, known for its role as a filming location for the final scene of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises as the entrance to the Batcave. Next, Proceed to the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog and enjoy a short stop at the second oldest tree in Wales, a stunning yew tree that is 3018 years old, making it one of the oldest trees in Britain. Stop in Brecon, where you can admire the canals—voted the prettiest in Britain—or simply enjoy a stroll through the town's quaint streets, filled with independent shops, bakeries, coffee spots, and souvenir shops. Continue to the town of Merthyr Tydfil to tour Cyfarthfa Castle, located in a picturesque park. During the journey, learn about the Industrial Revolution period in Wales. Next Marvel at Caerphilly Castle, the largest in Wales and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a stroll around this magnificent fortress, or relax with an ice cream in the town. End your day at Castell Coch, a fairy-tale castle nestled in the woods. Take a walk around this beautifully preserved building, discover the fascinating history behind it. Relax in the vehicle as you journey back to Cardiff, where you'll be dropped off at the designated location. Throughout January, we will stop only at Caerphilly Castle, as Castell Coch is closed during this time of year. Participants engage at their own risk, with adults or parents determining if the event is appropriate for them. Participation levels in any event are solely personal decisions. We suggest securing a personal activity insurance plan to guard against potential income loss in the unlikely event of an accident during a walk. Please note that this itinerary is an example, and the route taken may vary due to weather or other conditions.

Discover the highlights of South East Wales on this full-day trip from Cardiff. See sights such as the ancient Roman remains of Caerleon, the ruins of the Abbey of Tintern, the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons. Meet your guide in Central Cardiff and set out to your first stop, Caerleon Roman town. See the remains of the Roman amphitheatre, and the legionary barracks. Follow the Wye Gorge towards Tintern and stop briefly to visit Tintern Abbey, a sight made famous by painter JWM Turner. Continue up through the gorge and the spectacular Forest of Dean to Monmouth and Rockfield. Next, enter the Brecon Beacons National Park in the beautiful Black Mountains, visiting the hidden church of St.Issu. Stopping in the little market town of Crickhowell for lunch (not included). Brecon Town, home of the Army in Wales, with its canal and Cathedral. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and the fast running waters of a beautiful mountain stream. Enjoy the breath-taking views of Pen y Fan and Corn Ddu, South Wales' highest peaks, check your reflection in the reservoirs of Talybont and Pontsticill. In Merthyr Tydfil, cradle of the Welsh industrial revolution, discover the beginnings of train travel, following the river Taff for our return to Cardiff in the late afternoon. Example Itinerary, weather and other conditions can dictate route taken.

This is a fully inclusive tour with ALL admissions to the various attractions paid for in advance by us. Our Valleys tour is a guided tour from central Cardiff taking in the industrial heritage of the valleys. You will travel in a modern and luxurious fully electric vehicle, limited to a maximum of seven passengers, in the company of your driver guide, Andy, who is a Mountain Leader and a Green Badged Tourist Guide. South Wales is geologically 'lucky', having all of the elements required to fuel the industrial revolution, iron, coal, limestone and silica rock. From the 1750's iron boom through the 1850's to the 1980's when coal was king, South Wales was a hive of activity, smelting, mining and developing technologies to improve production. This tour has been designed to look at this history, its effects upon the landscape and people who laboured so hard and also at those who profited from that labour. We'll also have a glimpse of the scenic beauty of the Brecon Beacons National Park which lies to the north, on the fringes of the coalfields, and how the mining communities are recovering, post the closure of the mines in the 1990's. Itinerary Pick up from National Museum Cardiff. Fourteen Locks: is the most spectacular flight of canal locks in South Wales. A scheduled ancient monument situated in this idyllic part of Newport. It lies on the Crumlin Arm part of the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal. Surrounded by striking landscape, it is one of the most beautiful scenic waterways. Cwmcarn Forest Drive: In the vehicle we will meander around the twisting bends and allow the enchanting forest to immerse us in tranquillity where you can leave the rest of the world behind. We will park up at one of the seven car parks to absorb the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the tour guide will give you more information about the area. Guardian of the Valley: a sculpture commemorating the Six Bells Disaster: On 28 June 1960 an underground explosion at 'Arrael Griffin' colliery led to the deaths of 45 miners. Fifty years later, after tireless work by the community and local organisations, a steel sculpture by Sebastien Boyesen, over 60ft high, was dedicated to those who died. Abertillery: a traditional-style town centre mainly developed in the late 19th century and as such has some interesting Victorian architecture. We will be here for lunch. Mountain Road: We’ll take a drive from St Illtyd to Abersychan along a beautiful mountain road with open views of the Brecon Beacons to the North, the road we travel is 1200 feet above sea level. Big Pit: a real coal mine and one of Britain's leading mining museums. Enjoy exhibitions in the Pithead Baths and Historic colliery buildings AND the world-famous Underground Tour: go 300 feet underground with a real miner and see what life was like for the thousands of men who worked at the coal face. Back to Cardiff, drop off at National Museum.

Explore Cardiff, the Brecon Beacons, and Snowdonia your way with this guidebook that illustrates a scenic 225-mile (362 km) point-to-point trip across 25 of Wales’ most captivating destinations. Designed for flexibility, the guide is organised into themed sections—each covering Cardiff & the Valleys, the Brecon Beacons, the Cambrian Mountains, and Snowdonia—so you only visit the places that you choose. __________________________________________________________________ WHAT TO EXPECT • This is an online travel guide – much like a digital book – ready for you to read, browse, and get inspired while planning at home or using your phone on the go. • The guidebook offers an overarching plan to help shape your multi-destination holiday, with different ideas and sample itineraries. It shows how destinations can be combined to suit your timeframe – typically from 3 to 14 days. • It’s designed to help you decide where to go, what to see, where to stay, and to inspire your trip in a way that suits your interests. It also includes helpful tips such as how to get there and where to park. • Please note: the guide itself is not customisable. However, each route includes Uncover Britain’s own pre-populated Google Maps with suggested pins and directions, plus customisable directions by section using Google Maps. __________________________________________________________________ GO BEYOND THE CLASSICS WITH: • Cardiff – Museums, waterfront walks, castles, and culture in the Welsh capital • The Welsh Valleys – Discover mining heritage, panoramic views, and industrial history • Brecon Beacons – Outdoor adventure, hiking, stargazing, waterfalls, and wildlife • Cambrian Mountains – Explore lakes, reservoirs, and scenic valleys in Mid Wales • Mid Wales Towns – Step back in time in historic market towns and stone-built villages • Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park – Drive through spectacular mountains, hike Mount Snowdon, and ride historic steam trains • Betws-y-Coed – Tea rooms, stone bridges, woodlands, waterfalls, and crafts • Conwy & Conwy Castle – A medieval walled town and UNESCO World Heritage fortress • Stargazing – Discover Wales’ Dark Sky Reserves for unforgettable nights under the stars __________________________________________________________________ While you could search for places to go on your own, this guide offers curated context and ready-made itineraries along a recommended journey—so you don’t have to second-guess or piece everything together yourself. HOW TO ACCESS: see Know Before You Go