The Eisteddfod is coming to Ynysangharad War Memorial Park from August 3-10 with up to 160,000 people expected to visit Europe’s largest touring cultural festival! During this time, the area in and around Pontypridd will be busier than normal. To ensure you have a smooth journey to the Eisteddfod and the town during the festival, we have worked with partners to provide a wide range of transport options for you to take advantage of.
Changes to Town Centre roads and Car Parks
In order to host such a huge event, temporary traffic arrangements will need to be put in place. We urge visitors to the Eisteddfod not to use town centre car parks, unless for accessible parking, as they will be very busy and are needed for people working or visiting the town centre for appointments.
From 1 August - 11 August, Gas Road Car Park will be restricted to permit holders only. Impacted businesses in the town centre have been contacted and permits may be provided where there is a genuine business need.
From 3 – 10 August, Taff Street from the junction with Bridge Street will only be accessible to permitted vehicles between 9am-1am everyday. The daytime Taxi Rank will be located at the top end of Taff Street outside Llys Cadwyn (Taff Vale). From 1am, the nighttime taxi rank will be located outside B&M on Taff Street.
From 3 – 11 August, Catherine Street Car Park will be for Blue Badge holders visiting the Eisteddfod only.
Roads, rail and buses are expected to be busier than usual while the event takes place, especially between 8-11am, 4-7pm and 10-11pm. Please consider travelling to or through Pontypridd at quieter times if possible.
You can find out more information on the Eisteddfod Travel pages
Travel advice for getting to the event
If you are lucky to live close to the event, then walking or cycling is the best option for you to attend and visit Pontypridd. Please note that you will not be able to access Ynysangharad War Memorial Park via the Taff Trail 3-11 August.
If you live further away, public transport is the best way to travel in, around, and through Pontypridd while the event is on. Pontypridd is easily accessible by train and bus, with the Maes a short walking distance from Pontypridd Train Station and Pontypridd Bus Station.
To help you travel, we are bringing back maximum £1 single fares on buses in Rhondda Cynon Taf from 22 July to 1 September! Full details and travel terms can be found here.
During the Eisteddfod, local bus operators will be enhancing their services with more frequent and later buses (Sunday services remain the same). Please visit Traveline Cymru to see bus timetables and plan your journey.
Train travel is a great option. In total, up to 12 trans per hour run now run through Pontypridd. There are now more frequent rail services on the South Wales Metro, with 8 trains per hour between Cardiff and Pontypridd, and more frequent services to Aberdare, Treherbert and Merthyr Tydfil.
Transport for Wales are increasing evening services during the event, with a total of 11 trains after the Eisteddfod closing time (22:15), an increase from 7, and extra services on Sunday 4 August. You can find out more and book your train travel by visiting the Transport for Wales website.
You can find out more information on the Eisteddfod Travel pages
People attending the Eisteddfod should use public transport or FREE Park and Ride facilities. Please don’t drive into the town centre:
FREE Park and ride services to the north and the south of Pontypridd will be available to allow visitors to access the event. Find out more about the FREE park and ride service.
Park and Ride services will run frequently from each site and take you directly into the town centre. They will run 3-10 August from 7am-midnight. If you are planning to drive to the event you should use the FREE park and ride, please do not try parking in the town centre.
Visitors travelling from the north of Pontypridd can use Park and Ride North 1+2 (Abercynon) (postcode CF45 4UQ + CF45 4SN) which are off of the A470. The pickup/drop off location in Pontypridd will be on Bridge Street.
Visitors travelling from the south of Pontypridd can use Park and Ride South (Hawthorn) (CF37 5AL), which has been set up temporarily for the event. The Park and Ride South site will be based at Hawthorn School. The pickup/drop off location in Pontypridd will be opposite the train station.
There will be signage for both park and rides upon exit from the A470 for the benefit of visitors.
Stay in the loop
You can keep up to date with all the latest Eisteddfod travel information on social media:
X: Eisteddfod Travel Information - @EisteddfodTI
Facebook: Eisteddfod Travel Information
Or visit: www.rctcbc.gov.uk/eisteddfodtravel
Changed to Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
A phased closure and phased reopening of Ynysangharad War Memorial Park is taking place to allow the Eisteddfod’s massive infrastructure to be set up, and taken down again from August 10, to be completed safely and efficiently.
Please be aware that on July 31, Ynysangharad War Memorial Park closes entirely to the public, including for access to other routes. It will be accessible only by Eisteddfod ticket holders from August 3-10. All services will re-open as soon as is safely possible following the Eisteddfod.
Key closure dates confirmed are:
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Venue
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Location
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Closure Date
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Football field
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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June 24
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Football pavilion
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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June 24
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Cricket field
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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June 24
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Cricket pavilion
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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June 24
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Band stand area
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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July 8
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Bowls pavilion
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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July 8
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Multi sports court
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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July 8
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Dog field
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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July 8
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Rose garden
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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July 8
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Area around Lido Play (not including Lido Play or Lido Ponty at this stage)
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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July 22
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New event space
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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July 22
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Lido Play
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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July 30
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Lido Ponty
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Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
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July 30
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Posted on 10/07/2024