Unlike many ‘sanitised’ tourist pages we are quite happy to give you the rough with the smooth. So let’s start with the rough bits – basically the town centre, which as we type is undergoing a long overdue development with literally hundreds of pounds being spent somewhere. I mean, let’s be fair, town at the moment is an eyesore and we are not entirely sure that it will be any better when it’s finished. As most people understand, the word ‘development’ has come to mean ‘bugger up’ and we feel the Beirut-type ambiance currently on show is not exactly conducive to a rapid influx of visitors. But! Read on…
If you check out our pages on history, local heroes, rugby, pubs and photos you will soon realise that there is plenty more on offer than just simply the building site of a town centre.
We have the War Memorial Park; recently voted one of the best in the UK, a great rugby team, the historical Old Bridge (illuminated at night), the museum, Pontypridd Common with the Rocking Stones and druid circle and not forgetting one of the prettiest parts of the Taff Trail to name but a few attractions within easy walking distance of the town. Ponty is also where the Aberdare composers of the Welsh National Anthem wrote one of the best songs in the world!
Getting Here
Most trains and buses in the UK can get you to Cardiff and then a quick change and a short 25-30 mins ride north gets you to Pontypridd. Public transport in the UK is extortionate compared to the rest of the world and is also pretty unreliable so renting a car can often be an easier way to get around.
Mega Bus – click here.
Places to stay
Ponty is very short on accommodation although Cardiff, being the capital city of Wales, obviously has hundreds of places catering for all budgets. Below are all the options we could find on staying in or near to the town:
Gables Guest House
15, Tyfica Crescent, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan CF37 2BU
Tel: 01443 493453
A Class Bed & Breakfast
Valley View Manor, Graig Avenue, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan CF37 1LU
Tel: 07791 123794
Blueberry Hotel
6-8, Market St, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan CF37 2ST
www.blueberryhotel.com
Tel: 01443 485331
The Central Guest House
Stow Hill, Treforest, CF37 1RZ
www.centralguesthouse.co.uk
Tel: 01443 858694
Llechwen Hall Hotel
www.llechwen.co.uk
Tel: 07912 122482 / 01443 742050
Rhondda Heritage Park
www.heritageparkhotel.co.uk
Tel: 01443 687057
Wern Ganol Farm
Nelson, Caerphilly, CF46 6PS
www.wernganol.co.uk
Tel: 01443 450413 / 07970 039135
Tyn-y-Wern Guest House
Ynysybwl, Mid Glamorgan CF37 3LY
www.tyn-y-wern.co.uk
Tel: 01443 790551
Travel Lodge – click here
Things to do
There are plenty of reasons to visit Pontypridd and plenty to do but here are our Magnificent Seven:
Taff Trail – biking / walking
Catch a game @ Ponty RFC
Music @ CYB / District Club
Stroll around Ynysangharad Park
Do the Heritage Trail
Do a pub crawl
Delve into our great history
There are a number of ‘What’s On’ guides in Ponty and RCT but little joined up thinking. For example the town council only advertises events organised by the town council rather than events in town. RCT seem to have hardly any decent events in the Muni but many more in Aberdare and Treorchy. There is an RCT Arts web site and a RCT What’s On web site, as well as a Destination RCT web site and I Love Ponty web site. All we can assume is that someone knows someone in the web design industry 🙂 Anyway, here is a selection of links to sites that provide information on what to do in and around south Wales as well as Ponty.
Feel free to advertise free of charge (but don’t spam) local events on our message board and always remember to check there for what’s on as well.
What’s On
Welsh Poetry Competition | Ponty Rugby | Clwb Y Bont | District Club | RCT Arts
Gartholwg Lifelong Learning Centre | National Museum Wales | Millennium Stadium
St David’s Hall | Coal Exchange | Wales Millennium Centre | Wildlife Trust
Why Cardiff | Sherman Theatre | South Wales Events | New Theatre | Clwb Ifor Bach
Our view is that Ponty should promote itself more as a tourist attraction to encourage more visitors rather than try to turn itself into a bland carbon-copy version of every other horrible town centre in the UK but what do we know, we only live here…
Weather Forecast
If you fancy doing this little walk then you’ll probably want to check the weather. Here’s a link to the BBC Weather for Ponty for the next 5 days – click here.
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