Heritage Sites

The history of the Welsh Valleys is one that remains visible in the landscape, allowing those that visit many of the places of interest to step back in time and be a part of history.

For many, the history of the valleys is one of industry and mining, when Merthyr Tydfil was the Iron capital of the world and was the largest and most diverse town in Wales, and when coal from the Rhondda drove the nation's economy. But there is much more to explore, with evidence of human occupation dating back 10,000 years, to human exploitation of the landscape following retreat of the glaciers after the last Ice Age.

The area around the Llyn Fawr Reservoir, at the top end of the Rhondda Valley, has seen continued settlement from Mesolithic times, with a number of flint scatters representing human presence, through to the Iron Age. When the Reservoir was first built in 1911 a large number of high status objects were found in the existing lake, thought to be sacrificial items to appease the water gods, by the people that lived on the hill top above. These items, including sickles, axes and swords, can be seen on display at the National Museum in Cardiff. The settlement of roundhouses and field systems, made from stone, where these people lived can still be clearly seen on the hilltop among the sheep and grasses near to the forestry car park at Hendre Mynydd.

Gelligaer Common near Merthyr Tydfil is a landscape of modern day agriculture which has preserved many older landscapes in evidence. The megalithic standing stone of Fochriw is a good example of Bronze Age ritual structures, as is the burial chamber of Carn y Bugail. The Common is traversed by a Roman road, and evidence of Roman occupation with the presence of practice camps. It was near here, on the outskirts of Merthyr Tydfil that Saint Tudful, the daughter of Brychan, the Prince of Brychaeiniog, was slain by marauders. Tudful became a martyr to Christianity, and it was from this that Merthyr Tydfil (Martyr Tudful) got its name.

The development of Christianity in the area is well attested by monuments of ritual and worship, such as the Celtic cross at Capel Gwladys above Merthyr Tydfil, where it is believed another of Brychan's daughters set up a church. St. Mary's Well at Penrhys, high above the Rhondda Valleys has been linked with Christianity since its early days, and was thought to possess healing powers. Before this, during pagan times, the site was also linked with deities and mystical beings. Pilgrimages to Penrhys were a common occurrence during the Middle Ages due the popularity of St. Mary's Well. A monastery was also present near Penrhys, dedicated to either the Franciscan order or associated with the Cistercian Abbey at Llantarnan, which was set up \in the 12th century. Although nothing now remains of the monastery the site still retains the atmosphere of life eked out of a hostile environment open to the elements, which was continued many centuries later with the harsh living conditions related to coal mining. Penrhys is also the place associated with the Welsh Prince Rhys Ap Tewdwr, who, after losing a battle with Iestyn Ap Gwrgant, another Welsh prince who was supported by the Normans, was beheaded on the site of the monastery.

If Industrial sites are of interest then the Valleys are the place for you. You cannot travel far without being reminded of the hive of activity centered on the valley sides during the 18th and 19th centuries. Lines of tram roads can still be seen, ruler straight, leading from quarries, or sites of mining activity from the top of the mountains to the bottom, where you will usually find the remains of a railway that would have taken the produce to other centers or ports, such as at Cardiff. Nestling in woodland along the river Taff you will see the remains large viaducts which transported trains across the valley. The impressive remaining viaducts at Cefn Coed and Pontsarn illustrate what they would have been like when still intact. The remains of the Glamorganshire canal can also be seen snaking it s way alongside the River Taff, to its destination in Cardiff. If you want to see what life was like in the valleys during this period then take a trip to the Rhondda Heritage Park near Trehafod, which is accessible from the Loops and Links trails.

Merthyr Tydfil was once the biggest town Wales due its fame as a producer of iron. The iron produced there was transported to Russia, and to America where it was used to make sleepers for the Trans American railway network. It was also linked with Admiral Nelson, whose cannon at the battle of Trafalgar was made using iron made in Merthyr Tydfil, and who toured the iron works at Cyfarthfa before the battle. Merthyr Tydfil was also the place that saw the first use of a steam engine to pull a load of iron plus passengers in 1802. Designed by Richard Trevithick the engine was the focus of a bet amongst rival iron Masters, unfortunately, although the journey between Merthyr Tydfil and Abercynon was completed, it took longer to complete than if it had been carried out by a horse and tram due to a problems with the boiler and the tracks, and was deemed to be a failure, and so it was up to Stevenson's Rocket to develop the use of steam as a viable technology for transport.

Below is a list of Heritage sites of interest to the visitor and which lie within easy reach of the Loops and Links trails.

Ynysfach Engine House, Merthyr Tydfil

Gelligaer Common, Merthyr Tydfil

Cyfarthfa Castle and Museum, Merthyr Tydfil

Pontypridd Historical and Cultural Centre, Pontypridd

Joseph Parry's Cottage and Chapel Row (composer of Myfanwy), Merthyr Tydfil

Pontypridd Old Bridge, Pontypridd

Cefn Coed Viaduct, Merthyr Tydfil

Evan James and James Evans Memorial (composers of Welsh National Anthem), Pontypridd

Pontsarn Viaduct, Methyr Tydfil

St. Gwynno's Church and Guto Nyth Bran's grave, Ynysybwl

Morlais Castle, Merthyr Tydfil

St. Gwynno Church and Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd

Castle Nos Hill Fort, Maerdy

Pontygwaith Bridge, Quakers Yard

Hendre Mynydd Iron Age Settlement, Rhigos

Trevithick's Tramroad, Quakers Yard

St. Mary's Well, Penrhys

Trevithick's Tunnel, Penydarren

Llyn Fawr Reservoir, Rhigos

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