Merthyr Tydfil will continue its cultural and creative renewal with further plans to spruce up the historic Pontmorlais area of the town, while projects to revamp internationally significant Cyfarthfa Castle and Park can progress their ambitious ideas with up to £5.4m from the National Lottery.

Telling an important story

A stone’s throw from the Brecon Beacons National Park, Merthyr Tydfil once played a pivotal role in the birth of Britain’s Industrial Revolution and much of its present day heritage owes itself to this.

The town is home to Grade I listed Cyfarthfa Castle, built in 1824 by local manufacturing and ironworker innovators the Crawshays. Thanks to National Lottery players, visitors will soon be able to step back in time and enjoy the castle museum’s new ‘discovery gallery’, equipped with audio-visual and interactive displays depicting the building’s colourful past.

Back to the future

Looking to the future, the creation of new spaces for small enterprises and start-up businesses as part of the work to rejuvenate Cyfarthfa Castle will bring an economic boost to the town. 

Work in the pipeline for outside the castle – in its Grade II listed 65-hectare park – will also complement plans for the rejuvenated museum. 

Having belonged to the people of Merthyr since the early 20th century and providing the town’s main green space to this day, Cyfarthfa Park will be given a new lease of life with the development of themed trails, promotional leaflets and online resources. 

Green fingers

Volunteers will be recruited to transform Cyfarthfa Park, and in the process they can take advantage of accredited training on offer – who says you can’t mix horticulture and heritage?

Check out the story of green-fingered volunteer Angela, whose previous involvement in Cyfarthfa Park led to her starting her own gardening business, in our Changing Lives story.