Posted: 18/08/2020

A staycation with something for all the family

Ever heard of Rhondda Cynon Taf?  Only 30 minutes from Cardiff, the capital city of Wales and bordered by the Brecon Beacons National Park, Rhondda Cynon Taf is home to amazing scenery and unique activities for all the family.

If you’re looking to get out and about, explore our mountainsides or visit our country parks, you could try walking to the peak of Pen-pych mountain.  Here you’ll find waterfalls and breath taking views at the summit – with plenty of picnic benches along the way to stop and appreciate the scenery.  Find the route here

Pen-pych mountain is near the town of Treorchy – the winner of the Great British High Street of the Year Award 2019.  Here you’ll find independent boutiques and plenty of cafés and restaurants with menus featuring locally sourced products, traditional Welsh dishes (and hand fired pizza for the kids!) For more info go to  www.visittreorchy.co.uk

If you’re in search of fresh air but climbing mountains sounds a bit strenuous, choose from one of our Countryside Parks. 

Near Aberdare – a town famous for its strikingly rugged landscape - there’s not one but two parks to choose from.  In Aberdare Park you can wander around the lake and visit the playground.  As you can see dogs are more than welcome!

Nearby Dare Valley Countryside Park is a Valleys Regional Park Discovery Gateway site and as such has been the recipient of investment, which has resulted in lots of new family-friendly facilities.

The acres of glorious countryside are now home to a brand new Adventure Playground including a zip wire and wheelchair accessible roundabout. Family friendly bike trails, pump tracks and refurbished accommodation will also soon be opening within the Countryside Park making it a real centre for family activity.  The nearby Green Meadow  Riding Centre also offers riding lessons and off road hacks for more experienced riders.

At Barry Sidings Countryside Park near the market town of Pontypridd, you can hire bikes and the kids can use the bike pump tracks, play in the playground, enjoy a picnic or a shake from the on-site café or even go pond dipping in the lake. 

In the heart of Pontypridd is Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, another Valley’s Regional Park Discovery Gateway site, which has an incredible adventure playground and acres of open space for the kids.  It’s also home to the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty.  This hugely popular tourist attraction is currently closed but will re-open in 2021.

 Grab a snack from one of the many eateries in town (the custard slices from Prince’s Café have been flying off the shelves for over a Century) and the Market Quarter has everything from homemade Welsh cakes to Vegan curries.

Clydach Vale Countryside Park is a countryside idyll, with ducks and geese to feed, pond dipping, stepping stones to leap over and plenty of space for cycling, flying a kite or whatever takes your fancy.

What if it rains I hear you say… remember those unique attractions we mentioned earlier?  They’re award winning, interactive and….suitable for all the family!

Book the Black Gold Experience Underground Guided Tour at the Welsh Mining Experience and listen as your tour guide, a former miner, tells tales of mining life while venturing underground to see first hand what life was like in the coal mines of the world famous Rhondda Valleys. 

The interactive exhibitions, café plus chocolate and craft shops all add up to a great day out.

Find out more here

Ever wondered where the coins in your pocket are made?  The Royal Mint is based right here in Rhondda Cynon Taf near the old town of Llantrisant. 

The Royal Mint Experience welcomes visitors from all over the world – including a certain bear from deepest, darkest Peru and a Bristol-based comedy pair! Book a tour here and you’ll literally see money being made.

You’ll need somewhere to stay after you’ve spent all day exploring so here are some options:

The Heritage Park Hotel offers family rooms and is handily situated right next door to the Welsh Mining Experience.

If you prefer self-catering, try 266 Heart of the Valleys in Aberdare or Llantrisant Holiday Cottage.

Find more accommodation options here

Come and visit us and enjoy everything that Rhondda Cynon Taf has to offer.