What to do in Merthyr Vale

Activities, attractions and tours

#Details! .The Aberfan disaster was the catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip in the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, that killed 116 children and 28 adults on 21 October 1966. The collapse was caused by the build-up of water in the accumulated rock and shale tip, which suddenly slid downhill in the form of slurry. In the cemetery side by side stands and overwhelming array of arches - each one a grave to those who passed that fateful day. It is beautiful and peaceful - almost heavenly - worthy of a visit....I felt initially uncomfortable to take photos but the beauty of it overwhelmed me and will live with me forever. #Photo Details Sweepstake
#Details! .The Aberfan disaster was the catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip in the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, that killed 116 children and 28 adults on 21 October 1966. The collapse was caused by the build-up of water in the accumulated rock and shale tip, which suddenly slid downhill in the form of slurry. In the cemetery side by side stands and overwhelming array of arches - each one a grave to those who passed that fateful day. It is beautiful and peaceful - almost heavenly - worthy of a visit....I felt initially uncomfortable to take photos but the beauty of it overwhelmed me and will live with me forever. #Photo Details Sweepstake
A wonderful sculpture to acknowledge the industry and hard working miners of Wales #Details! #Photo Details Sweepstake
The Aberfan disaster was the catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip in the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, that killed 116 children and 28 adults on 21 October 1966
The Aberfan disaster was the catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip in the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, that killed 116 children and 28 adults on 21 October 1966

Merthyr Vale Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Merthyr Vale has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Merthyr Vale, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Merthyr Vale with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Merthyr Vale

Merthyr Vale is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Merthyr Vale, and make it a breeze to explore Merthyr Vale and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Merthyr Vale to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Merthyr Vale, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Merthyr Vale.

Merthyr Vale attractions

Merthyr Vale has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Merthyr Vale to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Merthyr Vale.

Looking for things to do in Merthyr Vale can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Merthyr Vale or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Merthyr Vale attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Principality Stadium

Opened in June 1999 complete with the first fully retractable roof in the UK, it has hosted some of the world’s most famous sporting events as well as concerts featuring the biggest entertainers in show business, from Take That, One Direction and Oasis to Madonna, Rihanna and Beyoncé.
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Millennium Stadium featuring a river or creek and modern architecture

2. Brecon Beacons National Park

The park is made up of 519 square miles of mountain ranges, river valleys, rolling hills, forests, lakes, waterfalls and hidden caves. In among this stunning natural beauty, you will also find some of Wales’ most colourful towns, pubs, farmers’ markets and Michelin-starred restaurants. The quaint village of Llanddewi Skirrid near Abergavenny is particularly worth a visit.
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Brecon Beacons National Park which includes rainforest, a waterfall and a lake or waterhole

3. Cardiff Castle

A 12-sided medieval keep offering panoramic views across the city from a platform at its top is at the castle’s heart, but the site is also full of later additions that capture the imagination. Fabulous mock-Gothic features, including an extravagant banqueting hall and clock tower, were added during the Victorian era.
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Cardiff Castle showing heritage architecture, château or palace and heritage elements

4. Utilita Arena Cardiff

The main area of the arena is a hugely versatile space capable of staging a wide variety of events, from trade exhibitions to music concerts and stand-up shows. It is capable of holding a standing audience of 7,500 people, a number that falls to 5,000 for seated events.
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D6WYKM Aerial photograph of the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

5. Cardiff University

One of the UK’s major teaching and research universities, in its 2014 University Guide the Sunday Times described Cardiff as “the acknowledged leader of higher education in Wales”. The previous year it hailed it as a “powerhouse of academic and research excellence”.
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Main building of Cardiff University - Wales; Shutterstock ID 289260233; purchase_order: Comps; job: ; client: ; other:

6. Wales Millennium Centre

The centre, opened in 2004, was designed by Jonathan Adams and is made up of slate in shades of green, grey and purple enveloped in an attention-grabbing bronzed steel shell. The roof above the main entrance is pierced by huge letter-shaped windows, beautifully backlit at night, which spell out poetic phrases.
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Wales Millennium Centre which includes modern architecture, street scenes and signage

What to do in Merthyr Vale

Popular places to visit

Great Steam Train ride into the Brecon Mountains,

Brecon Mountain Railway

5/5(4 reviews)

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Brecon Mountain Railway during your travels in Pant. Discover the mountain views and countryside in this relaxing area.

Brecon Mountain Railway
Sunset over ponsticil

Pontsticill Reservoir

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Pontsticill Reservoir during your travels in Merthyr Tydfil. Amble around the area's parks or visit its monuments.

Pontsticill Reservoir
Front view of Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyfarthfa_Castle

Cyfarthfa Park and Museum

You can spend time studying the exhibits at Cyfarthfa Park and Museum in Park. Amble around the area's parks or seek out its golf courses.

Cyfarthfa Park and Museum

Garwnant Visitor Centre

Garwnant Visitor Centre is just one of the places to see in Hirwaun, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the rocky beaches or discover the area's countryside.

Garwnant Visitor Centre

Ynysfach Engine House

You can learn about the history of Park with a trip to Ynysfach Engine House. Discover the area's spas and seek out its golf courses.

Ynysfach Engine House

Joseph Parry's Cottage

Learn about the local history of Park when you take a trip to Joseph Parry's Cottage. Discover the area's spas and seek out its golf courses.

Joseph Parry's Cottage

Joseph Parry's Ironworker's Cottage

Find out about the history of Park when you spend time at Joseph Parry's Ironworker's Cottage. Discover the area's spas and seek out its golf courses.

Joseph Parry's Ironworker's Cottage

Aberfan Disaster Memorial Garden

Learn about the local history of Aberfan when you spend time at Aberfan Disaster Memorial Garden.

Aberfan Disaster Memorial Garden

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Merthyr Vale

Nant Crew on the other side of the Cantref Reservoir near Merthyr Tydfil, Powys, Wales, UK

Merthyr Tydfil

Cardiff which includes street scenes, a city and night scenes

Cardiff

Track towards Mynydd y Capel This path skirts the western side of the high ground leading to Forest Chapel, above a steep forest slope that drops down to Merthyr Vale to the right. The light westerly breeze is pushing the mist up over the hill.
Photo by Graham Horn (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Treharris

River Taff between two bridges, Abercynon. Looking downstream from this bridge towards a newer bridge.
Photo by Jaggery (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Abercynon

#Details! .The Aberfan disaster was the catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip in the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, that killed 116 children and 28 adults on 21 October 1966. The collapse was caused by the build-up of water in the accumulated rock and shale tip, which suddenly slid downhill in the form of slurry. In the cemetery side by side stands and overwhelming array of arches - each one a grave to those who passed that fateful day. It is beautiful and peaceful - almost heavenly - worthy of a visit....I felt initially uncomfortable to take photos but the beauty of it overwhelmed me and will live with me forever. #Photo Details Sweepstake

Aberfan

Fernhill railway station. Viewed from a level crossing. Fernhill is a single-track, single-platform station on the Aberdare Branch of the Merthyr Line, between Mountain Ash station and Cwmbach station.
Photo by Jaggery (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Mountain Ash

Frequently asked questions

Is Merthyr Vale worth visiting?
Whether you plan to enjoy the cultural highlights and local charm or try unique foods and explore in nature, there are many things to do in Merthyr Vale.
How do I spend a day in Merthyr Vale?
Kick your day off with a visit to Brecon Mountain Railway and Cyfarthfa Park and Museum. Then, tour different parts of Merthyr Vale for a bite to eat and some retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Merthyr Vale?
Cyfarthfa Park and Museum is one of the top tourist attractions in Merthyr Vale and deserves a spot on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Merthyr Vale?
Three days is enough for a short break in Merthyr Vale — you'll tick off the main attractions and get a good feel for the local vibe. But if you really want to experience it all, hang around for at least a week or more to check out some nearby highlights too.
What are some activities to do in Merthyr Vale with kids?
If you're looking for activities and attractions for all of your group, we've got some great ideas for what to do in Merthyr Vale with kids.

What to do in Merthyr Vale for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or outdoor explorer, there's no shortage of things to do in Merthyr Vale for adults including Ynysfach Engine House and Joseph Parry's Cottage.
Are there free things to do in Merthyr Vale?
From checking out parks to wandering around hip neighbourhoods, it's simple to find free things to do in Merthyr Vale. If you're looking for inspiration, get some tips from a local tour guide. Cyfarthfa Park and Museum is a must for anyone wishing to save on their travel adventures.