Aberdare

Travel Guide

Photo by Gareth Bickerton
Photo by John Lewis
Photo by John Lewis
Photo by Brian71
Photo by Matt Packer
Aberdare is a bustlingtown in the Cynon Valley, SouthWales, and the most populous in the Rhondda Cynon Taf county borough.The town has a history that goes back to the Middle Ages, when it was just asmall village in an agricultural zone. The village grew rapidly in the early19th century thanks to the plentiful presence of coal and iron ore in theregion, and the population of the parish grew tenfold in the first half of thecentury.

Aberdare today is apopular tourist destination, its once scarred industrial landscape replantedand returned to nature. The town is conveniently located around 20 miles fromCardiff and 22 miles from Swansea, and on the doorstep of MerthyrTydfil and the BreconBeacons.

Shopping in Aberdare

As the biggest town in the Rhondda Cynon Taf countyborough, Aberdare has a large selection of shops,with many high street chain stores, a good number of independent traders and anindoor market.

Food and Drink in Aberdare

There are lots of restaurants, cafes, takeaways andpubs in Aberdare, whether you’re after traditionalWelsh or English food, fish and chips, international cuisine or fine dining. Ifyou’re eating in one of the pubs you might like to try one of the beersproduced by Aberdare’s own brewery with yourmeal.

Sport in Aberdare

Aberdare has its ownrugby union team, Aberdare RFC, formed in 1890, who play at the Ynys Stadium,and also its own football team, Aberdare TownFC.

Places to Visit in and Around Aberdare

Dare Valley Country Parkis less than a mile from Aberdare, and is a publicpark covering 500 acres of countryside, with a network of walks and trails, avisitor centre, a camping and caravan site, and a wide range of flora andfauna. The park is situated on land formerly used for coal mining, that wasreclaimed and landscaped in the 1970s.

Aberdare sits justoutside the Brecon Beacons National Park, which offers an incredible range ofoutdoor leisure activities and has a long history and many ancient monuments,including cairns and standing stones, as well as an abundance of wildlife.

Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery is located on theoutskirts of Aberdare, on the site of the old Gadlys Ironworks. The museumoffers a glimpse into life in the Cynon Valley over the last 200 years, andhouses collections revealing the history of humans in the valley over the pasteight millennia, while the gallery shows exhibitions of contemporary Welsh art,crafts and design.

Penderyn distillery, in the nearby village ofPenderyn, is the only distillery in Wales and the first to legally distilwhisky in the country for more than 100 years. It produces a selection ofsingle malt whiskies, as well as vodka, gin and a Welsh cream liqueur. Thedistillery is a very popular tourist attraction, with a visitor centre, anexhibition about the history of Welsh whisky, tours of the distillery, atasting room and a retail shop.

Where to stay in Aberdare

Pen-y-Waun

Though Pen-y-Waun might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Dare Valley Country Park and Aberdare Park.

Pen-y-Waun
The Angel Hotel

The Angel Hotel

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Hotel Indigo Cardiff by IHG

Hotel Indigo Cardiff by IHG

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Holland House Hotel Cardiff By Sunday

4 out of 5
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P5,151 total
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includes taxes & fees
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8/10 Very Good! (1,011 reviews)
"Excellent service free upgrade for partners bday"

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025

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The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff

3 out of 5
10 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (267 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff, only stayed one night. Daughter has dietary needs so kitchen was a bonus"

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The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
Yugo Explore - Arofan House

Yugo Explore - Arofan House

2 out of 5
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Stay at this aparthotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Principality Stadium and Cardiff Castle ...
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"Love it"

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Yugo Explore - Arofan House
Student Only The West Wing

Student Only The West Wing

2 out of 5
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Stay at this apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and concierge services. Popular attractions Principality Stadium and Cardiff Castle ...
Student Only The West Wing
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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