Local
Attractions
Cwmaman
Public Hall and Institute
Cwmaman
Public Hall and Institute has always been at the heart of the village of Cwmaman.
After a lottery grant, the Hall was transformed, becoming not only the heart
of the village but a popular venue for the whole of Cynon Valley. It includes
a bar, a state of the art cinema, function rooms and restaurant.
The
Coliseum Theatre
The
Coliseum Theatre shows the latest films or hosts popular shows and artists every
night of the week but it is not just a theatre and cinema; it has a bar, a function
room, a gift shop and rooms that can be hired for activities and meetings.
For information on what's on at the Coliseum, telephone the box office on 01685
881188.
Craig-y-Llyn
The
summit of the 1,960 feet high cliffs of Craig-y-Llyn on Treherbert Mountain offers
the most spectacular views across the Cynon and Rhondda valleys on either side
of the mountain. The winding ascent from the Cynon side of the valley, passing
Tower Colliery's deep mine and its opencast working, levels out on a summit where
a natural viewpoint allows passers-by to stop and gaze at the panorama of mountains
beyond mountains, misty with distance. Fifty years ago, Bronze Age artefacts such
as axes, breast plates and cauldrons were found in the waters of Llyn Fawr that
lies at the foot of Craig-y-Llyn.
These can now be seen in the National Museum
of Wales in Cardiff.
Church of St John the Baptist
Built in the late twelfth century by the Cistercian Monks, the building is Norman in design. The iron gates outside the west door were made in the Abernant iron foundry in the nineteenth century. The church is surrounded by an ancient cemetery which, in springtime, is a wonderful carpet of violet and white crocuses and golden daffodils.
Dare
Valley Country Park and its Visitor Centre complex are open to the public throughout
the year (apart from Christmas to New Year) - and there are no admission charges,
not even for parking! The Centre complex comprises a Visitor Centre which serves
food and refreshments, an Inheritance Centre which interprets Cynon Valley and
its landscape, a gift shop, two exhibition galleries and a Residential Centre
offering high quality accommodation to groups and individuals. There is also a
caravan and camping site.
Outside in the Park there is an orienteering course,
lakes and waymarked trails which range from easy to fairly strenuous.
For
further information, including events and exhibitions, telephone
01685 874672.
Llanwonno
In the churchyard of St Gwynno's Church in Llanwonno is buried Gruffydd Morgan or Guto Nyth Bran, as he was known. Guto was one of the fastest runners ever known and legend has it that he could outrun a hare, keep up with hounds and win races with horses. In 1737, an English soldier by the name of Prince, who was stationed at the barracks in Monmouth, heard of Guto's prowess and challenged him to a race over twelve miles - which Guto ran in 53 minutes and won. Tragedy overtook triumph when Guto's girlfriend Sian slapped him on the back to congratulate him, displacing his heart. He dropped dead on the spot. In 1866 a large tombstone was erected in his memory and can be seen just behind the wall of the south porch of the church. A sculpture to Guto can be seen in Oxford Street, Mountain Ash and the Nos Galan races are an annual celebration of this incredible athlete.
Abercynon Ridgeway
This mountain-top footpath runs along the borough boundary between the Cynon Valley and Merthyr Vale, offering spectacular views across both valleys. It can be accessed from a footpath on the A4059, close to the A470.
If it's sports activities you're after, then it's all at the Michael Sobell Sports Centre with its sports halls, squash courts, football and rugby fields and competition-standard athletic track which makes trekking out to the cities for track practice a thing of the past. The Sobell Centre also has various function rooms and a bar For information telephone 01685 874323.
Scwd yr Eira
The
river Hepste falls as Scwd yr Eira at the confluence of three counties: Rhondda
Cynon Taff, West Glamorgan and Powys.
The falls are at their most spectacular
after a period of heavy rain. The drawback is a descent and ascent down steep
slopes and steps of thick mud! Most people feel that the experience is worth the
effort, however, when they stand behind the waterfall and feel its primal force
as it plunges into the boiling cauldron of the splash pool less than an arm's
length in front of their faces. From the Cynon Valley, Scwd yr Eira is accessible
from the rear of the Lamb Inn in Penderyn. Waymarking signs indicate the route
out over the moorland where bog cotton grows like fleece upon the rushy ground
and the buzzards circle overhead.
The
land around Scwd yr Eira is limestone and water has eroded it over the millennia
to create potholes, swallowholes, underground rivers and waterfalls. It is country
to be taken seriously and one of the most important things to remember is sensible
footwear. Shoes or boots with a good tread are a must. For information and maps
of Scwd yr Eira and beyond, contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01639 721795.
