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Visit Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales - Croeso

Spend a day in Rhondda Cynon Taf

 

Morning - Coal mining and coin-making – an award-winning peek into Valleys’ life.

Start your day at the award-winning A Welsh Coal Mining Experience at Rhondda Heritage Park.

Set in the footprint of the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery, A Welsh Coal Mining Experience is a living testament to our coal-mining communities and the strong heritage, culture and character of the area.

Our Black Gold Underground Experience Tour is led by men who once worked as coal miners and they will share their personal stories and memories with you as they take you underground and back in time.

As well as the tours, there are exhibitions and interactive displays, as well as fascinating artefacts throughout the site. Don’t miss the gift shop.

Aim to be on site for about two hours, including the tour and time spent in the exhibitions. Don’t worry about the weather as A Welsh Coal Mining Experience is mostly indoors.

Lunch

Caffe Bracchi at A Welsh Coal Mining Experience offers a wide range of hot and cold lunches, including traditional afternoon teas. You can also purchase delicious handmade chocolates in the shop.

Afternoon

Around half an hour’s drive from A Welsh Coal Mining Experience is the Royal Mint Experience.

Go behind the scenes at this 1,000-year-old institution, where world currencies and Olympic medals are made. Learn how the money is designed and manufactured and discover the treasures kept here. Strike your own coin.

There are lots of interactive displays to get involved with and the gift shop is a must for those looking to add to their coin collections.

The Visitor Centre is an all year and all-weather visitor attraction. Incorporating a rich heritage resource alongside live factory working environment it is a truly unique visitor experience.The tour and exhibition take approximately 1.5 hours.

Morning - Thrills and (no) spills. An incredible experience in the Brecon Beacon foothills.

Start your day in style, with a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Zip World Tower.

It’s the only Zip World Experience outside of the North Wales attractions. Soar from the top of the Rhigos mountain on Phoenix, the world’s fastest seated zip line and ride Tower Coaster at speeds of up to 25mph!

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Lunch

Cegin Glo at Zip World Tower has amazing food – and even better views! Treat yourself to lunch and a drink and make sure you check out the mining memorabilia in the café. It’s there to celebrate the important industrial history of the Zip World Tower site, which was once Tower Colliery, the longest continuously worked mine in the UK and possibly the world.

Can we suggest ice cream with a view for afters? There’s a popular van at the Rhigos viewpoint that has been there for decades. Enjoy delicious ice cream and an incredible view.

Afternoon:

Penderyn Whisky Distillery.

Less than half an hour’s drive from Zip World Tower is Penderyn Whisky Distillery

‘From Wales to the World…’

Penderyn Distillery produces award-winning single malt whiskies and spirits in the foothills of the magnificent Brecon Beacons in South Wales.

During the tour you will learn about the founding of Penderyn, how the award-winning whisky is made and what makes it so unique. See their mill, mash tun, our innovative single copper-pot Penderyn stills and their latest addition – a pair of pot stills.

At the end of your tour sample some of their products in their Tasting Bar. Not forgetting popping to the shop to take a bottle or two home to enjoy.

Tours and tastings last approximately one hour.

Morning - Enjoy nature’s adventure playground

Centuries of industry and the Ice Age before that shaped the dramatic, beautiful landscape of Dare Valley Country Park.

It’s home to Gravity Family Bike Park, with thrilling downhill trails and pump tracks to test your skills. You can bring your own bike or hire one of ours. There is also an uplift service to transport you and your bike to the top.

Grab a coffee and cake from the Bike Park Snack Hut to refuel, before exploring the park further. You can get free walking guides from reception and choose which of the trails to take on.

Lunch

The Black Rock Café serves a huge range of hot and cold food and prides itself on using local produce where possible. Choose from burgers or salads to tapas and pizza. There’s something for everyone.

Afternoon

Drop down over to the other side of Aberdare mountain and then up to the top of the Rhondda Fawr to admire Penpych Mountain. One of only two table-top mountains in Europe. You can walk through forestry and waterfalls to the top, where one of the best views in South Wales unfolds before you.

Morning - Immerse yourself in history.

Nantgarw China Work Museum is the only surviving 19th century porcelain works in the UK and, over 200 years ago, produced some of the finest peces in the world.

You can see some of its work displayed at the National Museum of Cardiff and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

This is your chance to go behind the scenes as Nantgarw continues to celebrate and protect its historic work. There are often workshops in crafts such as basket-weaving or glass-painting.

Expect to be on site for an hour.

Lunch

Travel about half an hour north to Llantriant, an ancient town on a hill overlooking the Taf Valley. The Butcher’s Arms sells a mouth-watering range of sandwiches and cakes. It also sells a lovely range of homewares and decorations.

Afternoon

Spend an afternoon in old  Llantrisant. Wander the ancient, cobbled streets that are packed with history. You can collect a heritage trail booklet – or download it as an audio file – and follow the history, past homes that were once workhouses and across the town’s old bullring. See the remains of Llantrisant Castle and visit the Guildhall, where the epic history of this small but mighty town is brought to life.

You can also explore the common and surrounding beauty spots with the Bunny Walks and trails, which have been mapped out with the Ramblers’ Association.