Legendary adventures inthe Valleys

www.thevalleys.co.uk

This is the Year of Legends in Wales and with so much to

discover in the Valleys we’ve produced this calendar of ideas to

inspire your adventures. With scenery to make your heart sing

and views to take your breath away we have chosen six of our

favourite walks for you to download to help you discover both

our legendary people and our legendary landscapes.

Legendary adventures inThe Valleys

Our lyrical voices are legendary, especially when singing

Land of my Fathers, our soul-stirring National Anthem

composed by local father and son Evan and James James.

Following in the footsteps of Sir Tom Jones, we have up-

and-coming musical talent like Kizzy Crawford, barely

into her 20s, but already on the ‘A’ level Music syllabus.

And we do quirky on an epic scale: 35,000 Elvis fans

revel in three days of music nostalgia and blue suede

glitz at Porthcawl’s annual Elvis Festival every September.

We love to talk in the Valleys and we would love to hear from you.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook and watch our videos on YouTube - LoveTheValleys.

Sign up for our newsletter at www.thevalleys.co.uk or email us at

contactus@thevalleys.co.uk

2 3Image Above: The Guardian, Six Bells.

These are the Valleys that changed the

world. Coal and iron in our hills fuelled the

Industrial Revolution and made Wales the

world’s first industrial nation. Our tight-

knit iron and coal communities nurtured

legendary men and women, including the

Chartists who sowed the seeds of modern

democracy and Aneurin Bevan who gave

us the National Health Service.

We’re proud of our past and excited about

our future. We have new attractions like

Redhouse arts centre in Merthyr Tydfil and

the Royal Mint Experience, where you can

see how the pennies in your pocket are

made. We have forward-looking food and

drink pioneers winning national accolades.

‘The most beautiful cider ever tasted’ is

how the judges in BBC Radio 4’s Food and

Farming 2016 awards described locally

made Hallets Cider.

Minting legendsThere’s a brand new attraction in the Valleys - the Royal Mint Experience -

where the pennies in your pocket are made. This is where legends are minted on

gold and silver coins and medals celebrating our sporting and military heroes.

Behind the scenes you can watch money coming off the production line and

strike your own coin to take home. There’s an amazing exhibition detailing 1000

years of money making in Britain, which shows you how the craftsmen create

their eye-catching designs.

We’ve got another type of gold in the

Valleys too - Black Gold. That’s what the

rich seams of coal found here were called.

You can take a Black Gold Tour at the

Rhondda Heritage Park, led by miners

who worked at the Lewis Merthyr Colliery.

Don’t miss Caffe Bracchi, a reminder of a

time when every street corner in the

Rhondda had an Italian café serving frothy

coffee, ice cream and glassy-coloured pop!

Thousands of Italians moved here at the

height of the coal boom, bringing Italian

café culture with them.

January

What to do in January:25th January: St Dwynwen’s Day (the Welsh

equivalent of St Valentine’s Day). How about

creating a Welsh love spoon for your beloved, a

tradition that goes back centuries. Under the

expert tuition of wood carver Phillip Williams,

at Cwm Tawel Yurts, you can craft your own

masterpiece! Check out all our January events

and ideas at: www.thevalleys.co.uk/January

Local LegendIn the nearby town of Llantrisant there is an ancient tradition of money being thrown into

streams and ponds for young boys to jump in and recover. It was part of the ‘Perambulation of

the Parish’, when the Freemen of the town walk the parish boundary. Taking place only once

every seven years, the next ‘perambulation’ will be on June 17th 2017!4 5

Where better to start than the hauntingly beautiful Caerphilly Castle with its

ghostly Green Lady? Built by the Norman lord Gilbert de Clare around 1268,

concentric rings of stone and acres of water created the ultimate defence against

attack by the Welsh Prince Llywelyn. Legend has it the Green Lady is Alice of

Angouleme, Gilbert’s wife, who fell in love with a Welsh knight. She died of a

broken heart after Gilbert executed her lover. Waiting for his return she roams the

castle under cover of darkness.

The military might of Caerphilly’s

medieval fortress, with its siege

engines and weaponry, stands in

contrast to Cyfarthfa Castle, the

most impressive monument of the

industrial age in the Valleys.

Commissioned in 1824 by the

ironmaster William Crawshay II, his

grandly castellated mansion

overlooked his immensely successful

Ironworks. Inside are wonderful

decorative art collections and

curiosities from around the world.

Mythical castlesand fantastical fables

Fantastical FablesAmongst the portraits hanging on Cyfarthfa Castle’s walls is one of LadyCharlotte Guest. She was the wife of another Merthyr ironmaster,

Josiah Guest, and her husband’s ironworks were the largest in the world.

We have her to thank for translating into the English language Wales’ best

known collection of Welsh folk tales - the Mabinogion. These medieval

stories speak of legendary figures from the Welsh royal families and are

full of magical white horses, giants, heroes and beautiful and clever women - just like

Charlotte. Because of her work promoting Welsh language and culture, she became one of

the most influential figures of 19th century cultural history in Wales.6 7

Febru

ary

What to do in February:Walk in the footsteps of the 'Iron King' on the

trail from Cyfarthfa Castle to Vaynor.

Check out all our February events and ideas

and download the walk at:

www.thevalleys.co.uk/February

Mud andMountains

Downhill ChampionOur wonderfully hilly landscape provided the perfect training ground for the 2014 WorldChampion Downhill Mountain Biker, Manon Carpenter, who comes from Caerphilly

and loves to ride on nearby Machen Hill. ‘Mountain biking takes me all over the world butwhen I come home I love to head here. You can see for miles in all directions from the topand it's always a lovely welcome back. I don't think I've made it to the bottom without asmile on my face!’

In the woods near Merthyr Tydfil is BikePark Wales, the dream of four friends

who wanted to build the best mountain bike park in the UK. There are plenty of

family-friendly trails and smooth tracks for beginners as well as adrenalin-pumping

routes for experts (with names like Dai Hard and 50 Shades of Black). You can hire

bikes here, have a lesson and refuel in the café. You can even arrive on your bike

along the traffic-free Taff Trail, which links Merthyr Tydfil with Cardiff.

There’s more mountain biking at Cwmcarn, where the Twrch Trail, named after the fearsome

wild boar of the Mabinogion legends, will satisfy the most extreme downhill junkies with its

‘severe’ classification! In the Garw Valley you will find the Darren Fawr Mountain Bike Trailsand we’ve also got great BMX tracks at Parc Bryn Bach and Barry Sidings if that’s your

choice of pedalling fun.

Marc

h

What to do in March:1st March St David’s Day

9th - 12th March Cwlwm Celtaidd, a

family-friendly festival of music, song &

dance from the Celtic countries. Check

out all our March events and ideas at:

www.thevalleys.co.uk/March

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These are the Valleys that changed the world. The most modern ironworks

anywhere in the world (at the time) opened in 1789 in one of the most remote and

windswept locations possible - Blaenavon. It was here that the best quality iron

ore, coal and limestone were found. These minerals fuelled the Industrial Revolution

and our Valleys became the first place in the world where more people were

employed in industry than agriculture.

Legendary places deserve proper

recognition and Blaenavon is designated

as a World Heritage Site, one of the

most important industrial heritage sites in

the world, because you can follow the

story of the Industrial Revolution through

the attractions and industrial landscape.

Venture 300 feet below ground at the BigPit National Coal Museum (where the

banter of the guides, all former miners, is

legendary) and experience Blaenavon

Ironworks coming to life through audio-

technology. There’s the Monmouthshireand Brecon Canal, Blaenavon’sHeritage Railway, ironworkers’ cottages,

chapels and churches and the Workmen’s

Hall. Start your visit at the BlaenavonWorld Heritage Centre where you can

pick up an amazing selection of walking

leaflets to help you explore this world-

beating place. You will need more than a

day to enjoy everything on offer here.

The Valleys that changedthe world

Iron Mountain Trail through the World Heritage SiteWork in the ironworks and furnaces gave men a terrible thirst and, with water often

polluted, it was safer to drink beer than to touch the water. Rhymney Brewery was set up

in 1839 to quench this thirst and they are still making Rhymney ales today at RhymneyBrewery Visitor Centre where you can taste their beers! Pair it with cheese from the

Blaenafon Cheddar Cheese Company, who mature their Pwll Mawr cheddar 300ft

below ground at the bottom of the mine shaft at Big Pit. It’s the perfect combination to

take on the Iron Mountain Trail, the best way to immerse yourself in the World Heritage

Site Landscape! 10 11

April

What to do in April:22nd-23rd and 29th-30th April Story

telling weekends across the Valleys.

Walk in the footsteps of iron men on the Iron

Mountain Trail. Check out all our April events

and ideas and download the walk at:

www.thevalleys.co.uk/April

We have more than our fair share of

legendary voices from the Valleys -

think Tom Jones, the Manic Street

Preachers, Stereophonics and Only

Boys Aloud - many of whom started

their musical careers performing in

local musical competitions we call

‘Eisteddfods’. We love to nurture

musical talent and every year some

15,000 young people compete in

Europe’s largest youth touring festival

- the Urdd National Eisteddfod. This

year it comes to Bridgend, where you

can enjoy the amazing talent displayed

in the singing, dancing and performing

competitions.

What to do in May: 6th - 7th May: Story telling weekends across The Valleys

29th May - 3rd June: Urdd National Eisteddfod, Pencoed, Bridgend

Go to a Male Voice Choir rehearsal. The legendary Treorchy Choir rehearse Monday and

Thursday 7.30pm - 9pm at Treorchy Primary School.

Check out all our May ideas and events at: www.thevalleys.co.uk/May

May Eisteddfods are where a new generation

of musical legends, like singer-songwriter

Kizzy Crawford, from Merthyr Tydfil,found their feet. ‘My sister and I used tosing in the Eisteddfod at school, and Iloved the folk stories and traditions wesang about. ‘The Starling’, which was myfirst single, is based on the story ofBranwen in the Mabinogion. When wemoved to Merthyr Vale, I was amazed bythe landscape and the open skies andmountains, which completely inspired me.I yearn for this landscape when I'm awayand feel as if it is where I belong. It’s theplace that’s made me who I am today.’

Music has always been at the heart ofthe Valleys, with our Male Voice Choirsand Miners’ Institutes like The Memoin Newbridge. Many a musical legendwowed audiences in its grand Art Decogilded theatre. James Dean Bradfieldeven worked behind the bar herebefore his musical career with theManic Street Preachers took off!Miners’ Institutes are part of ourcultural heritage, paid for bysubscriptions from miners themselves.You can find out more on a guidedheritage tour of this fabulously restoredbuilding. And don’t forget to check outwhat’s on at The Memo and othervenues such as The Parc and DareTheatre and Maesteg Town Hall.

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Legendaryvoices fromthe Valleys

If what you drink with your meal is as

important as what you eat then TheBunch of Grapes in Pontypridd is the

place to go. This AA Welsh pub of the year

have their own brewery, Otley BrewingCo, and stock local cider and cask ales.

They have a beer academy and tutored

beer tastings. There’s even an in-house

delicatessen selling freshly baked bread,

Welsh cheeses, freshly ground coffee, gift

packs of beers and artisan chocolate.

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What to do in June:17th June ‘Perambulation of the

Boundaries’, Llantrisant.

Follow in the footsteps of monks (who

made and drank cider) on the Monks’

Trail walk at Cwmcarn.

Check out all our June ideas and events

and download the walk at:

www.thevalleys.co.uk/June

We have a crateful of liquid delights to

discover in the Valleys. Rhymney Brewery,

set up in 1839, is probably the oldest. You

can see beer being produced at their Visitor

Centre and sample it in their pub. You might

want to try ‘Bevan’s Bitter’ named after a

local hero.

Williams Brothers Cider are a small,

family-run business producing high quality,

hand-crafted, award-winning, traditional

real Welsh cider at their cider house in

Bedwas near Caerphilly. How about trying

Dragon’s Fire at the Cross Inn in Maesteg,

home to Cerddin Brewery?

Tudor Brewery at Llanhilleth is another

award-winning family brewery where you

can taste and buy their locally inspired Black

Rock and Blorenge Golden Ale. They’ve won

Three Gold Stars at the Great Taste Awards,

the Oscars of the Food and Drink Industry.

Gwynt Y Ddraig, the Welsh Cider and

Perry Company, started as a hobby but

quickly became a multiple award-winning

selection of draught and oak-matured

bottled ciders, now available in 7 countries

around the world.

‘The most beautiful cider ever tasted ’ is made in the

Valleys. That’s according to the judges of BBC Radio

4’s Food and Farming 2016 awards who gave the

accolade of Best Drinks Producer in the UK to

Hallets Cider of Blaengawney Farm near

Crumlin. In fact, the judges said this cider is

‘serious competition to good wines and

deserves a place on the nation’s dinner

tables!’ Taste direct at the farm and

nearby pubs including The

Crown at Pontllanfraith.

Brews & ViewsJune

Healing views

In the footsteps of a legendTo find out more about this legendary Welshman, pay a visit to Bedwellty House in Tredegar

which lies at the heart of Britain’s social history. It was here in the 1920s that the young Aneurin

Bevan started his political career. Watch a film about Nye here and then follow the AneurinBevan Heritage Trail around the town and gain an insight into how this ordinary Tredegar boy

became the most influential man in the history of the Labour party and the architect of our

modern welfare state. Round off your trip with Afternoon Tea at Bedwellty House.

The tight-knit coal communities of the Valleys have nurtured many young men

and women with a powerful vision of a better future. Men like Aneurin Bevan,

born in Tredegar who became Secretary of State for Health in 1945. His dream

of free healthcare for everyone in Britain - the National Health Service - was

based on the Tredegar Medical Aid Society, established by workers as a

community health service in 1890.

Nye loved to roam the mountains and

moorland around Tredegar, walking up to 20

miles a day both alone and with friends. He

often used this time to overcome his

stammer, reciting out loud passages of

literature and rehearsing his speeches and

arguments. It’s not hard to imagine him

pondering his plans for the NHS as he

wandered through this striking landscape.

You can follow in his footsteps, walking along

the Bryn Oer tramroad near Trefil, to his

favourite view across the Brecon Beacons.

July

What to do in July:Walk in the footsteps of a legend on the Nye

Bevan Walk. Check out all our July ideas and

events and download the walk at:

www.thevalleys.co.uk/July

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Sandy sagas onthe big dipper!

The Italian connectionWhat better way to round off a day at the seaside than

with ice cream? Benedetto Sidoli brought his family’s

traditional ice cream recipe from Italy and set up the first

Sidoli’s in Ebbw Vale in 1922. You can enjoy Sidoli’s award

winning ice cream there and at McArthurGlen Shopping

Outlet in Bridgend too.

August

What to do in August: Walk in the footsteps of giants on our

legendary walk up the ‘Big Dipper’. Check

out all our August ideas and events and

download the walk at:

www.thevalleys.co.uk/August

There are more sand dunes to explore at

Kenfig Burrows National NatureReserve just along the coast beyond the

traditional seaside town of Porthcawl.

Kenfig is a mysterious place. Time Team

came to dig here and found a wealthy

town built within the castle’s defences,

part of a Norman port buried beneath the

shifting sands.

Round off your day out at The Prince ofWales pub, perched on the edge of Kenfig

Nature Reserve. It’s a pub steeped in

tradition, including Gwyl Mabsant, an

annual festival commemorating the local

parish saint, which included competitions

like the old women's grinning

matches and blindfolded

wheelbarrow-driving!

There’s a little pocket of seaside in the Valleys that, by our standards, has an

almost Mediterranean climate and a Sahara-like landscape. The remnants of

towering sand dunes, which once lined the coast of south Wales, now provide a

fantasy playground for kids of all ages at Merthyr Mawr. You can climb one of the

most dramatic dunes, aptly named the ‘Big Dipper’, and sledge down in a rush of

sandy adrenalin! Throw in chocolate box thatched cottages, stepping stones

across a river to reach a ruined castle at Ogmore, on part of the 870 mile Wales

Coast Path, and you have an action-packed seaside adventure.

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Head up to the hilltop ridges separating each of the Valleys to find some of the

most spectacular scenery in Wales. This is a landscape untouched by the Industrial

Revolution, criss-crossed by drovers’ tracks linking ancient hamlets sheltering

around age-old churches. Here are three of our favourites, each with a great

story, good walking opportunities and a traditional country pub!

Hilltop HistorySe

pte

mber

What to do in September: 22nd-24th September Elvis Festival Porthcawl

35,000 fans head to Porthcawl for three days of

extravagant blue suede glitz, Elvis look alikes and Vegas

shows. Check out the Valleys Walking Festival and all

our September ideas and events at:

www.thevalleys.co.uk/September

The fastest man?St Gwynno’s Church in the tiny hamlet of Llanwonno, between the Rhondda and the

Cynon Valleys, is the last resting place of the fleet-footed runner Guto Nyth Bran. He

could run faster than a horse and won many races leading to his legendary status as the

fastest man of his time. He is remembered every New Year’s Eve with the Nos Galan races

held in Mountain Ash. Round off a great little waterfall walk from Llanwonno with lunch or

afternoon tea at The Brynffynon Hotel.

The greatest Welsh love story?A beautiful 18th century folk song called ‘Watching theWhite Wheat’, written by local lad Wil Hopcyn, tells of

the tragic love affair between Wil and his love Ann, the

Maid of Cefn Ydfa. Forced to marry her parents’ choice

rather than Wil, Anne died of a broken heart. She is

buried in Llangynwyd churchwhilst Wil lies under a

yew tree in the churchyard. Have a coffee in the CornerHouse Innwhere Wil lived.

The most influential philosopher?Llangeinor, with its fabulous views and pretty St

Ceinwyr’s Church, was the birthplace of the 18th

century philosopher Richard Price. His writing inspired

the American War of Independence and the American

Constitution. The Bryngarw circular walk follows an

old drover’s path past the church and the LlangeinorArms.

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A night out with the stars

Tips for a night out with the stars Put on warm clothing, pack your torch and choose your Dark Sky Discovery Site:

H Hendre Mynydd Car Park, Rhigos MountainH Daerwynno Outdoor Centre, LlanwonnoH Barry Sidings, HopkinstownH Dare Valley Parc, TrecynonH Parc Penallta, Ystrad MynachH Red Lion Pub, PenderynH Plas Dol y Gaer, PontsticillH Garn Eiddel Car Park, Maerdy MountainH Parc Bryn Bach, Tredegar

Find all our stargazing sites and events at: www.thevalleys.co.uk/darkskies

A fiery red glow from flaming furnaces and ironworks lit up the night sky along

the Heads of the Valleys in the 19th century. These bright lights drew people in

from the countryside to the boom towns of Merthyr Tydfil, Tredegar, Ebbw Vale

and Blaenavon. It’s a different story today. The Valleys offer some of the darkest

of night skies and our specially designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites offer

vantage points away from light pollution where you can view the Milky Way.

The starry shapes of the night sky gave

birth to many of our Celtic myths and

legends. In Wales the Plough (Ursa Major),

is named after the tale of Hu Gadarn, who

brought the Welsh to Britain from the

Summer Country and taught them to

plough. As with all good legends Hu

rescued the land from a fearful lake

monster called the Afanc. Welsh names for

the Plough include Y Sospan (The

Saucepan) and it does look like one!

Cassiopeia (Queen of the Fairies), with its

5 brightest stars making up a ‘W’ shape in

the sky is called Llys Dôn in Welsh, Dôn

was the Celtic Mother Goddess, and her

son Gwydyon was the King of the Fairies.

Llys Dôn was the gateway to the fairy

world.

Both these constellations are easy to spot

and can be seen on any clear evening from

our Dark Sky Discovery Sites.

Legends of the dark skies

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What to do in October:Enjoy autumn woodland colours or a spooky

evening Bat Walk at Bryngarw Country Park.

Pluck up courage for a Halloween Ghost

Tour at Llancaiach Fawr Manor.

Check out all our October events and ideas at:

www.thevalleys.co.uk/October

Oct

ober

Waterfalls have inspired many a fantasy and

fairy tale and we have a very special waterfall

you can actually walk behind. Sgwd Yr Eira,

meaning ‘fall of snow’, has a path behind the

cascading water traditionally used by

shepherds moving their sheep from one side

of the river to the other. This is a place of

myth and legend and the rocky gorge below

the waterfall, known as Devil’s Glen, is

inhabited by fairy folk and spooky souls!

The crystal clear water tumbling over Sgwd Yr

Eira was the inspiration behind the revival of

Welsh whisky making at nearby Penderyn

Distillery. They produce some of the finest

whiskies in the world using their own supply of

fresh natural spring water, the same water that

tumbles over Sgwd Yr Eira. As well as finding out

about the history of whisky making in Wales, a

tour of Penderyn includes tastings of their

‘Legend’ and ‘Myth’ whiskies and their Brecon

Gin. If you want the ultimate legendary

experience you can also book a 2 ½ hour

Master Class!

Welsh afternoon tea at Ty Newydd Country HotelIf tea is more to your taste then a Welsh Afternoon Tea at nearby Ty Newydd CountryHotel is just the ticket. The afternoon tea tradition was started by Anna, the 7th Duchess

of Bedford, who often felt hungry in the late afternoon and invented a light meal to fill the

gap! It has developed into a meal with etiquette: think starched napkins and special china

and whether to pour the milk before or after the tea! And in Wales it is likely to include

Welsh Cakes and Bara Brith too.

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Nove

mber

What to do in November:Walk in the footsteps of shepherds behind

the cascading waters of Sgwd Yr Eira.

'Oo' and 'Ah' at the spectacle of Bonfire Night

fireworks at Caerphilly Castle.

Checkout all our November ideas and events

and download the walk at:

www.thevalleys.co.uk/November

Whisky and waterfalls

An alternativeChristmas- in the Valleys

Make your own presentsHow about making your own gifts to give this Christmas? Sarah Hatton will show you howto make a traditional Welsh agricultural basket, called a Cyntell, from locally grown willowat Hatton Willow near Caerphilly. Fill it with tasty treats and favourite tipples from theValleys - Penderyn Whisky, Rhymney Beer, Hallets Cider, Blaenavon Cheese and CaerphillyChocolates.

Have yourselves a merry little alternative Christmas in the

Valleys. How about an Elfsteddfod? It’s not an Eisteddfod it’s

an Elf-steddfod! Don your elf hat, come dressed in red or green

and join this annual festive event in Bridgend. It may well be the

largest gathering of elves in the world.You can bump into Father Christmas in the

most unexpected places in the Valleys:

underground at Rhondda Heritage Park,

in an Ice House at Bedwellty Park, on a

steam train at Blaenavon’s HeritageRailway or Brecon Mountain Railway,

even in a 360° grotto at the GeneralOffices in Ebbw Vale, where you will also

find the only 4D cinema in Wales showing

special Christmassy films. Or try a medieval

Christmas experience at CaerphillyCastle, the spectacular backdrop to

Caerphilly’s medieval Christmas market.

How about Christmas Pudding Racing?

It’s not how quickly or how much

Christmas pudding you can eat, but how

fast you can run the Merthyr Mawr

Christmas Pudding Race. This Christmas

tradition draws runners from far and wide

to compete in a race up some of Europe’s

tallest sand dunes at Merthyr Mawr.

Dec

ember

What to do in December:11th December: Merthyr Mawr Christmas Pudding Race

25th December: Santa Swim, Porthcawl Beach

26th December: Festive Swim at The Lido in Pontypridd

31st December: Nos Galan Races in Mountain Ash

Check out all our December ideas and events at: www.thevalleys.co.uk/December

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Legendary sleepsMade in the Valleys How about staying somewhere steeped in history? You can

slip off to sleep dreaming of the beautiful harmony of Welsh

hymn signing at Soar Chapel in Ebbw Vale, a former Baptist

Chapel, which dates back to 1851. Or The Little Crown Inn

at Wainfelin, which is full of mining memorabilia and stories

and has a corridor that looks and feels like a mine shaft,

equipped with miners’ lamps and gas masks! Built on the site

of an old drift mine, each room is named after a local colliery.

Check out all our places to stay at www.thevalleys.co.uk

Head for these galleries for presents

made by local artists and makers. Find

gifts galore at Llantarnam Grange

Arts Centre, Cwmbran which sells

the very best in contemporary craft

from Wales and hosts 20 exhibitions

annually from leading applied artists.

De-stress with Afternoon Tea or a

Vintage Brunch in the Oriel Café. Tourist InformationBlaenavon World Heritage CentreChurch Road, Blaenavon, NP4 9AE (closedMondays except Bank Holidays) T: +44 (0) 1495 742 333 E: blaenavon.tic@torfaen.gov.ukwww.visitblaenavon.co.uk

Visit Caerphilly The Twyn, Caerphilly,CF83 1JL T: +44 (0) 29 2088 0011 E: visitcaerphilly@caerphilly.gov.ukwww.visitcaerphilly.com

Pontypridd Museum and TouristInformation Centre, Bridge Street,Pontypridd, CF37 4PE T: +44 (0) 1443 490748 E: enquiries@pontypriddmuseum.org.ukwww.pontypriddmuseum.org.uk

Parc Bryn Bach Countryside Centre,Merthyr Road, Tredegar, NP22 3AY T: +44 (0) 1495 355920 E: parcbrynbach@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Contact our Tourist Information Centres for help planning your visit:

This guide has been funded and produced by The Valleys Consortium consisting of the CountyBorough Councils of Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taffand Torfaen. Images supplied courtesy of partners, Welsh Government, Cadw, Visit Wales, DarkSky Wales, Luke Maggs, Kizzy Crawford, The Memo Newbridge, Natural Resources Wales. ©Crown copyright 2016 (Visit Wales) Copyright is retained by the relevant partner organisations.

Y Galeri in Caerphilly sells exclusive andhandcrafted contemporary art, jewellery,ceramics, glass, wood and textiles fromtalented Welsh makers.

The Workers Gallery at Ynyshir in theRhondda is a gallery with heart, set up inthe old library in Ynyshir to display work bylocal professional artists as well as a‘People’s Wall’ for amateurs and localgroups. (Open Thurs - Sat 10am - 5pm)

Redhouse, an arts and creative industriescentre housed in the magnificent OldTown Hall in Merthyr Tydfil, hostschanging exhibitions throughout the year.If traditional Welsh gifts are what you arelooking for then pay a visit to RhonddaHeritage Park where the gift shop stockscoal sculptures, replica miners’ lamps,rugby shirts and Welsh costumes.

Important notice: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in this publication,the publishers cannot accept liability whatsoever for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions,or for any matter in any way connected with or arising out of the publication of theinformation. This brochure may not be reproduced in any part or in whole without the priorconsent of the publishers.

Design by www.artmattersstudio.co.uk Translation by WordsWide

Walk in the footsteps of legendsHere are six of our favourite walks for you to download to help you discover both

our legendary people and our legendary landscapes.

Walking in the footsteps of the Iron KingFollow in the footsteps of the ‘Iron King’,Robert Thompson Crawshay, walking fromhis home at Cyfarthfa Castle to his grave atVaynor Church with its legendary epitaph‘God forgive me’. Download the walk atwww.thevalleys.co.uk/February

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Walking in the footsteps of iron menon the Iron Mountain TrailThe best way to immerse yourself in thelegendary Blaenavon World Heritagelandscape is on the 12 mile Iron MountainTrail, where amongst the heather-coveredmoors you might just come across some‘slag monsters’. Download the walk atwww.thevalleys.co.uk/April

Walking in the footsteps of monksFollow the route taken by Cistercian monkstravelling to the monastic Grange Farmhigh above Cwmcarn. The monks farmedsheep here at a time when wool which wasBritain’s most important export. Downloadthe walk at www.thevalleys.co.uk/June

Walking in the footsteps of Nye BevanNye loved to walk across the lonely moorsabove Trefil, through a landscape packedwith myth, legend and political history.Follow in the footsteps of this legendaryman to his favourite view of the BreconBeacons and the Chartists’ Cave. Download the walk atwww.thevalleys.co.uk/July

Walking in the footsteps of giantsWe are talking giant sand dunes here -including one called the ‘Big Dipper’! Throwin a lost village submerged under the sandand stepping stones across a river to aruined castle for a super seaside stroll.Download the walk atwww.thevalleys.co.uk/August

Walking in the footsteps of shepherdsFollow in the footsteps of shepherds,walking behind the cascading waters ofSgwd Yr Eira (falling snow). This is a placeof myth and legend and the rocky gorgebelow the waterfall is called Devil’s Glen.Download the walk atwww.thevalleys.co.uk/November

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