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A castle.
A catalyst.
About
A crucible of the industrial revolution
Welcome to Cyfarthfa at Merthyr Tydfil, where The Cyfarthfa Foundation is leading the transformation of its castle and park into a cultural centre and visitor attraction of national significance.
History
Rooted in history
Merthyr Tydfil is a town that has written itself into the history of Wales and the world – a place of pioneering technological, industrial, political, social and environmental change. Its history is so rich that it deserves a modern re-telling in all its variety. Its themes and stories speak to the present and hold lessons for the future. A history that can inspire a community’s re-invention.
Take a look around
Community
Things to do at Cyfarthfa
The generosity of spirit and strong sense of community of the people in Merthyr Tydfil is a key part of the history of the county and is integral to the developments to Cyfarthfa. Cyfarthfa Park & Castle is already more than just a museum and art gallery, the site is visited by over 500,000 people every year.
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Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery
Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery holds an eclectic collection of artefacts that represents Merthyr Tydfil’s rich history. Set in the restored Regency rooms of Cyfarthfa Castle, visitors will discover collections from Ancient Egypt and the Romans to the Crawshay ironmasters who inhabited the Castle during the nineteenth century. There is also an impressive collection of fine art, sculpture and contemporary art on display.
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Merthyr Tydfil & District Model Engineering Society
A group of volunteers from the local area who operate and maintain the Cyfarthfa Miniature Railway. They are open to the public from 1st April to 30 September on Weekends and School Holidays between these dates. They are open to all volunteers, whatever age or ability.
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The Lake
Enjoy a stroll around the lake and accessible woodland walks and nature rambles to see the variety of animal, bird and plant species in the park. The lake at Cyfarthfa is very popular with dog walkers, people jogging and cycling.
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Creative Hwb
A creative group based at The Bothy, in Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil. They host various art & craft workshops and cultural talks.
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British Institute for Geological Conservation
Merthyr’s Roots Evolution Garden and Learning Hub is based at Cyfarthfa Greenhouse. They specialise in providing bespoke and inspirational, place based learning experiences founded on Merthyr’s rich natural heritage, special landscapes and the wider global environment.
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Canolfan Cyfarthfa
Cafe, play area and splash pad in the middle of the park offering a range of activities for families and young children. The cafe serves drinks, food and ice creams from 10am daily.
FAQs
What would you like to know?
It is a charitable foundation established for the sole purpose of realising ambitious plans for the development of Cyfarthfa Castle and Park at Merthyr Tydfil into a museum and gallery of international quality, set in a wonderful park.
The creation of an independent charity is the only practical way in which to assemble the necessary funding – from governmental, national lottery, business, and charitable sources. The Foundation will establish an organisation whose sole focus will be the development of Cyfarthfa and other heritage assets in Merthyr to maximise the benefits for the community – economic, educational, social, environmental and cultural.
A charitable foundation is the most common structure adopted by sizeable organisations in the cultural sector – museums, galleries and other arts organisations – such as the `National Botanic Garden of Wales and the Wales Millennium Centre.
Yes, This was the Cyfarthfa Plan prepared by an international team led by Ian Ritchie Architects and landscape architects, Gustafson, Porter and Bowman. This was launched in January 2021, during the Covid lockdown. It presented a high level 20-year vision for the Cyfarthfa area. The Foundation’s task now is to turn this vision into a detailed plan.
There is a lot of planning to be done, and money to be raised. This will take several years. We must be realistic and respond to national and international political and economic climate. The Board of the Foundation and a small team are already in place. Detailed studies are under way to determine precisely what needs to be done.
1. to save the fabric of the castle which is in very poor condition
2. to plan new exhibits to tell Merthyr’s powerful story
3. to extend the art galleries
4. to improve and extend the 160-acre park
5. to fully engage the community in the process.
We already making the case for investment to the Welsh Government, the National Heritage Lottery Fund and other donors.
It is essential that this project should be delivered with the close and active involvement of the local community. The masterplan contained many ideas designed to put the people of Merthyr Tydfil and the valleys region at the heart of the project – to ensure that it will be of the place, not just for the place. The Foundation is fully committed to making that a reality from the outset. As projects develop, we will ensure there are opportunities for discussion and iteration before decisions are taken.
We believe that the plan could generate millions of pounds in social and economic value annually, through direct, indirect and induced spending, and through participation in public programming. This will be realised in the form of new jobs, support for small businesses, and increased spending in the local economy as a result of increased tourism. Other elements will be social: for example, an expanded range of programming will help bring communities together, get people active and combat social isolation.