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 Dare Valley Country Park and Aberdare 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
The price is ₹6,509 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
₹6,509
₹7,811 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
includes taxes & fees
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! (2,505 reviews)
"Easy check in and friendly staff 24hrs"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

The Angel Hotel
The Parkgate Hotel

The Parkgate Hotel

4 out of 5
Westgate Street, Cardiff, Wales
The price is ₹9,762 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹9,762
₹11,714 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
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 breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,731 reviews)
"A lovely hotel with lovely staff, thank you so much"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

The Parkgate Hotel
Village Hotel Cardiff

Village Hotel Cardiff

4 out of 5
29 Pendwyallt Road, Coryton, Cardiff, Wales
The price is ₹6,831 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹6,831
₹8,197 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,010 reviews)
"Suoerb, bug not easy to get in and especially out of Cardiff city centre."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Village Hotel Cardiff
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! (264 reviews)
Just the fit
"Very good location, close enough to town, but in a quiet Away close to lovely park."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
Inn Cardiff

Inn Cardiff

3.5 out of 5
17 Lower Cathedral Road, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Principality Stadium and Cardiff Castle are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (97 reviews)
10/10 BEST STAY EVER
"we were staying here as we were attending cardiff pride on the Saturday. it was last minute booking for us and omg i could not have been happier. the stay was absolutely perfect. comfiest sleep my family have had in a long time. it was clean, communication was spot on and instructions were clear. ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Inn 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 Newport ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (135 reviews)
"I payed for 2 adults 1 child but when we got into the apartment there was only a double bed and a small sofa not suitable for sleeping"

Reviewed on 7 Apr 2025

Quay Apartments Clarence House
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

Cities near Aberdare