Compare and book 4 Star hotels in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales

Once the largest town in Wales and famous worldwide for its iron mills, Merthyr Tydfil has been quietly reinventing itself over the past few decades as an important tourist destination for learning more about Wales’ rich industrial heritage. Merthyr is full of fascinating stories which the locals love to tell.

You have a choice of four star luxury accommodation including studios, guesthouses and family-run inns in the town centre close to public transport and the main shopping areas, while others are more suburban en route to the Brecon Beacons National Park, just four miles from the town.

Industry and Employment

Thanks to a rich landscape of iron, coal, limestone and wood Merthyr Tydfil expanded rapidly during the Industrial Revolution providing mining jobs for many. At its height it was known as the iron capital of the world with four working mills owned by just two families - Guest and Crawshay - who also educated their workers by setting up schools.

Following industrial decline in the 1930s, the town was on an economic downtown for a while with high unemployment and a lack of alternatives. The arrival of Hoover, the US appliance company, in 1948 changed this and it became the area’s largest employer with a factory based at Pentrebach. Hoover still has an after-sales service in the town, which you can visit to learn more about its role in social history and economic development.

Where to Walk in Merthyr Tydfil

The main focus for Merthyr’s redevelopment for the past few decades has been on tourism because of its fantastic position between Cardiff and the Brecon Beacons. In the centre of town is the glorious Cyfarthfa Park, former home of the Crawshay family with its mock castle, formal gardens, walking trails, art gallery and museum and scenic picnic spots - you have 158 acres to explore. There’s also a steam railway for a little bit of vintage history.

Getting on Your Bike

Merthyr is an ideal destination for a fitness break. Bikes can be stored on trains and also hired in town. National Cycle Route 8 runs through the centre of Merthyr, providing stunning views across the county. And if you’re up for a challenge why not try the Taff Trail, which runs from Cardiff Bay to the Beacons covering open moorland, railway viaducts and the Pontsticill Reservoir?

BikePark Wales on the outskirts of town is the UK’s first purpose-built mountain biking centre.

Early Religious History

Merthyr has a rich religious history with its early Christian Martyrs and it also housed the largest Jewish community (around 400) in Wales after many Jews moved to the area to escape persecution during the Second World War. They set up businesses as jewellery makers, watchmakers and tailors and contributed to the social calendar with a grand annual ball, which many tried to attend!

You can see the former synagogue, a stunning gothic building above Church Street, which has now been turned into flats to preserve the building. There is also a Jewish cemetery in Cefn Coed.

For a slice of religious and industrial history Merthyr Tydfil has plenty to offer and is the perfect stopover between city and national park. Book your four star hotel via Expedia today.