PLACES TO VISIT
Abercynon Ridgeway

This mountain-top footpath runs along the borough boundary between and the Cynon Valley and Merthyr Vale, offering spectacular views across both valleys. It can be accessed from a footpath on the A4059, close to the A470
Abercynon Sports Centre
Open from 9 am to 10 pm Sunday to Friday and 9 am to 9 pm on Saturday, has a swimming pool, a sauna and a wide variety of activities ranging from yoga to kick boxing, aerobics to five-a-side football. For information telephone 01443 740141
Aberdare Swimming Pool

There are three pools at Aberdare Swimming Pool; a teaching pool, a diving pool and a 331/3 metre main pool with a flume. The Health Suite has a sauna and steam room, spa bath and exercise equipment. There is also a snooker room with eight tables. Evening closures vary but the pool is open from 9.30 am Monday to Saturday and 8 am on Sunday. For information telephone 01685 874252

Prior to the building of the new swimming pool, learning to swim in the Cynon Valley was a matter of courage and endurance in the face of the cold waters of the Rock Grounds open air pool. When summers were really hot, then the pool could be a pleasure. Taking Welsh valley weather on average, however, it was usually a matter of striking out, teeth-chattering, covered in big goose pimples and displaying the most amazing shades of navy blue!

The Coliseum Theatre
The Coliseum Theatre shows the latest films or hosts popular shows and artists every night of the week but it is not just a theatre and cinema; it has a bar, a function room, a gift shop and rooms that can be hired for activities and meetings.
For information on what's on at the Coliseum, telephone the box office on 01685 881188.
The Little Theatre
Aberdare's Little Theatre started life as a railway shed for the two engines of the Llewellyn Brothers' colliery in Cwmdare. The brothers convenanted the land and buildings to the Aberdare Dramatic Society and the theatre came to life in 1931, showing mainly Welsh- language plays. During the war it was used for food storage, opening again as a theatre straight afterwards.
The theatre received a £90,000 Lottery grant and was completely refurbished in 1998/99.
February 2001 is the 70th anniversary of the Little Theatre.
Craig-y-Llyn
The summit of the 1,960 feet high cliffs of Craig-y-Llyn on Treherbert Mountain offers the most spectacular views across the Cynon and Rhondda valleys on either side of the mountain. The winding ascent from the Cynon side of the valley, passing Tower Colliery's deep mine and its opencast working, levels out on a summit where a natural viewpoint allows passers-by to stop and gaze at the panorama of mountains beyond mountains, misty with distance. Fifty years ago, Bronze Age artefacts such as axes, breast plates and cauldrons were found in the waters of Llyn Fawr that lies at the foot of Craig-y-Llyn.
These can now be seen in the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff.
Descendingthe mountaint is an experience in itself. The passengers are the lucky ones, while the driver has his eyes glued on the amazing contours of the road while trying to savour the sight of the valley opening out beneath him!
Church of St John the Baptist
Built in the late twelfth century by the Cistercian Monks, the building is Norman in design. The iron gates outside the west door were made in the Abernant iron foundry in the nineteenth century. The church is surrounded by an ancient cemetery which, in springtime, is a wonderful carpet of violet and white crocuses and golden daffodils.
Dare Valley Country Park
Dare Valley Country Park and its Visitor Centre complex are open to the public throughout the year (apart from Christmas to New Year) - and there are no admission charges, not even for parking! The Centre complex comprises a Visitor Centre which serves food and refreshments, an Inheritance Centre which interprets Cynon Valley and its landscape, a gift shop, two exhibition galleries and a Residential Centre offering high quality accommodation to groups and individuals. There is also a caravan and camping site, the service block of which is in the process of being extended and refurbished. Outside in the Park there is an orienteering course, lakes and waymarked trails which range from easy to fairly strenuous.
For further information, including events and exhibitions, telephone 01685 874672.
Greenmeadow Riding Centre
Greenmeadow Riding Centre, situated within Dare Valley Country Park, offers not only horse rides, treks and lessons but has an Animal Farm and a children's play area. Greenmeadow also has available all types of animal feed. It has a very active Riding for the Disabled Association and volunteers are always welcome to help out. For further information on Greenmeadow, telephone 01685 874961.
Llanwonno
In the churchyard of St Gwynno's Church in Llanwonno is buried Gruffydd Morgan or Guto Nyth Bran, as he was known. Guto was one of the fastest runners ever known and legend has it that he could outrun a hare, keep up with hounds and win races with horses. In 1737, an English soldier by the name of Prince, who was stationed at the barracks in Monmouth, heard of Guto's prowess and challenged him to a race over twelve miles - which Guto ran in 53 minutes and won. Tragedy overtook triumph when Guto's girlfriend Sian slapped him on the back to
congratulate him, displacing his heart. He dropped dead on the spot. In 1866 a large tombstone was erected in his memory and can be seen just behind the wall of the south porch of the church. A sculpture to Guto can be seen in Oxford Street, Mountain Ash and the Nos Galan races are an annual celebration of this incredible athlete.
Michael Sobell Sports Centre
If it's sports activities you're after, then it's all at the Michael Sobell Sports Centre with its sports halls, squash courts, football and rugby fields and competition-standard athletic track which makes trekking out to the cities for track practice a thing of the past. The Sobell Centre also has various function rooms and a bar For information telephone 01685 874323.
Scwd yr Eira
The river Hepste falls as Scwd yr Eira at the confluence of three counties: Rhondda Cynon Taff, West Glamorgan and Powys.
The falls are at their most spectacular after a period of heavy rain. The drawback is a descent and ascent down steep slopes and steps of thick mud! Most people feel that the experience is worth the effort, however, when they stand behind the waterfall and feel its primal force as it plunges into the boiling cauldron of the splash pool less than an arm's length in front of their faces. From the Cynon Valley, Scwd yr Eira is accessible from the rear of the Lamb Inn in Penderyn. Waymarking signs indicate the route out over the moorland where bog cotton grows like fleece upon the rushy ground and the buzzards circle overhead.
The land around Scwd yr Eira is limestone and water has eroded it over the millennia to create potholes, swallowholes, underground rivers and waterfalls. It is country to be taken seriously and one of the most important things to remember is sensible footwear. Shoes or boots with a good tread are a must. For information and maps of Scwd yr Eira and beyond, contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01639 721795.