Aberdare Travel Guide

Tourist 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

When in Pen-y-Waun, you can plan a visit to Aberdare Park and Dare Valley Country Park, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Pen-y-Waun
The Angel Hotel

The Angel Hotel

3 out of 5
Castle Street, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,665 reviews)
Excellent, central stay
"We travelled as a family (2 parents, 2 teenagers) and were staying one night. The staff on the front desk were very welcoming and the family room was like a palace - with two separate rooms in it: one with a superking bed and the other also very spacious with twins. We were not expecting so much ..."

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

The Angel Hotel
Holland House Hotel Cardiff By Sunday

Holland House Hotel Cardiff By Sunday

4 out of 5
24-26 Newport Road, Cardiff, Wales
The price is ₹7,416 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
₹7,416
₹8,899 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"The hotel was convenient, i stayed on the 12th floor and it was very quiet, so a good sleep. Convenient for central Cardiff, all walkable. Ideal for a one night business stay."

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

Holland House Hotel Cardiff By Sunday
Cardiff Marriott Hotel

Cardiff Marriott Hotel

4 out of 5
Mill Lane, Cardiff, Wales
The price is ₹7,759 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
₹7,759
₹9,311 total
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,080 reviews)
"Clean room very spacious"

Reviewed on 4 Oct 2025

Cardiff Marriott Hotel
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.
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 Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (287 reviews)
"The overall building is a little old but it is worth the money. Do not go in expecting a five star stay as it’s basically a three star experience. They do not have basic items such as tissue papers or toiletries. But I will commend the front desk guy Richard. He was extremely helpful and did provide ..."

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
Quay Apartments Clarence House

Quay Apartments Clarence House

3.5 out of 5
Clarence Place, Newport, Wales
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Newport. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Friars Walk Newport and Belle ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (144 reviews)
"Friendly, simple check -in. Easy parking in multistory just behind which can be added to the room. Great TV, good shower and comfy bed. Roomy flat with good equipment level in the kitchen. Some welcome gifts too (tea, coffee, sugar, washing up liquid and tea towels) which were very welcome. Mini ..."

Reviewed on 8 Oct 2025

Quay Apartments Clarence House
 Park Lane Aparthotel

Park Lane Aparthotel

4 out of 5
23-24 Park Place, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, meeting facilities and housekeeping. Popular attractions Cardiff Castle and Principality Stadium ...
7.2/10 Good! (51 reviews)
"Nice little apartment to stay at, the only thing that let it down was how incredibly hot it was. There was a fan provided but it generally blew hot air back. I would come back but probably just in the winter."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Park Lane Aparthotel
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.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Aberdare

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 9%
4 - Good
6
4 - Good 55%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 36%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Quiet town.

3/5 - Okay

Wendy

Not a bad little town .

3/5 - Okay

mohammad

Great village with oustanding nature

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