Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Aberdare (United Kingdom). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Aberdare Park, St Elvan's Church, and St John's Church. Also, be sure to include Dare Valley Country Park in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Aberdare (Wales).
Table of Contents
Aberdare Park
Park in Aberdare, Wales. Aberdare Park is a well-preserved Victorian public park located in the village of Trecynon, near the town of Aberdare in South Wales.[1]
Address: Gadlys Road, Aberdare
St Elvan's Church
Church in Aberdare, Wales. St Elvan's Church is a Grade II* listed Anglican church in the centre of the town of Aberdare. It was built in 1851–1852, largely at the instigation of John Griffith, vicar of Aberdare from 1847 until 1859.
On December 11, 1849, Griffith wrote at length to the Incorporated Church Building Society in relation to the position of the Church of England in the parish of Aberdare. The population of the parish was close to 14,000 people and increasing at a rate of approximately a thousand each year, yet the ancient parish church of St John's could accommodate fewer than two hundred people.[2]
St John's Church
St John the Baptist's is an ancient parish church in the centre of the town of Aberdare, Wales.[3]
Dare Valley Country Park
Dare Valley Country Park is a public park in Wales. It lies near the village of Cwmdare and the town of Aberdare, Cynon Valley, in Rhondda Cynon Taff, South Wales. It comprises 500 acres of woodlands, pasture and moorland mountainside. It is maintained by the local Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf.[4]
Calfaria
Calfaria Baptist Chapel, Aberdare, was one of the largest baptist churches in the South Wales Valleys and the oldest in the Aberdare valley. The chapel had an ornate interior, including a boarded ceiling with a deeply undercut rose, while the balcony balustrading had a cast iron front with an intricate foliage design. These features were common in the Welsh chapels of the late nineteenth century. The organ was installed in 1903 at a cost of £850. It was played for the last time in 2012 by Robert Nicholls, during a Radio Cymru broadcast shortly before the closure of the chapel.[5]
Hen-Dy-Cwrdd
Hen-Dy-Cwrdd is a disused Unitarian chapel in Trecynon, Aberdare, Wales. Services at the chapel were conducted in the Welsh language.[6]
Salem
Salem, Robertstown is an Independent chapel in Bridge Street, Robertstown, Aberdare, Wales.[7]
St Fagan's Church
Anglican church in Aberdare, Wales. St Fagan's Church is a Grade II-listed Anglican church in the village of Trecynon near Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It was originally built in the mid-nineteenth century in the Gothic Revival style, but burned down a few years later and was rebuilt.[8]
St Matthew's Church
St Matthew's Church, Abernant is in the Parish of Aberdare in Rhondda Cynon Taf. It is one of only a handful of tin tabernacles left in Wales.
The church, in Abernant, was founded by the congregation of St Elvan's Church, Aberdare as a Christian mission, later becoming a chapel of ease to St Elvan's. The fledgling congregation initially met in a tent, but in 1888-9 (some sources say 1891), chose to erect a proper building, the entire expense being borne by James Lewis of Plas Draw. The church was probably ordered by post and arrived in a prefabricated state, then was assembled on-site, this being a common practice with these buildings. The church was intended to only be used for around a decade, but in the event, it has remained at the location ever since.
Despite its stark, utilitarian appearance from outside, the church's interior is richly carpeted and the inside of the metal shell is lined with varnished wood. The church has some small though fine stained glass windows. Despite only being a nave, the church can seat 150 people and has a flourishing Sunday school.
The church's font dates from 1827. Before coming to St Matthew's, it belonged to a church in Port Talbot.[9]
Coliseum Theatre
Auditorium in Aberdare, Wales. The Coliseum Theatre is a performing arts venue in the village of Trecynon, near the town of Aberdare, Wales. It is run by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.
It was officially opened on Saturday, September 17, 1938. Aberdare Coliseum has a 600-seat auditorium and cinema.
Crass played their final gig there.[10]
Coleg y Cymoedd
College in Aberdare, Wales. Coleg y Cymoedd is a further education college located at four main campuses across Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Caerphilly, Wales. Coleg y Cymoedd was formed after the merger of Coleg Morgannwg and Ystrad Mynach College in September 2013.[11]