After visiting South Wales’s thriving Aberdare, why not take the thirty minute journey to the tranquil village of Abercynon by train? Travel through this historic mining country, at the meeting of five valleys, whilst relaxing and enjoying our free onboard WiFi as you plan your adventure.

Just sixteen miles from Cardiff, Abercynon sits at the junction of two rivers - the Taff, and the Cynon, from which it took its name. However, due to its former prominence as a bustling mining town and transport hub, it was known as ‘Navigation’ until the late 19th century. Steeped in industrial heritage, the village long stood home to successive collieries before the Abercynon Lady Windsor Colliery was closed in 1988. A memorial still stands on its former site.

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Abercynon came to international fame in 1804, by way of a wager between a pioneering inventor and his local employer. Cornish engineer Richard Trevithick was based at a nearby ironworks when he brought his brainchild to fruition - the world’s first steam-powered locomotive to run upon a railway. Challenged to carry ten tons of iron from Merthyr Tydfil to Abercynon, his High Pressure Steam Engine met with calamity when its chimney struck a bridge, slowing it down and losing its creator the 500 guinea bet. 

With its stunning views of the scenic Cynon Valley, Abercynon boasts four traditional pubs including the Thorn Hotel - once used as a rehearsal space by local singing sensation Tom Jones! You’ll also find a great selection of cafes and restaurants, all within walking distance - and our Group Tickets mean making a day of it with friends is cheaper than ever. 

With something for all tastes, the atmospheric Llancaiach Fawr Manor, once home to the Prichard family, lies just an hour’s walk away. One of the most important gentry houses from the 16th and 17th centuries to have survived, this stunning Tudor dwelling once hosted a visiting Charles I. Nowadays, it’s popular with paranormal enthusiasts as one of the UK’s top ten haunted properties, as well as housing a living history museum. It’s also been used as a location for numerous TV and film productions, including proud Welsh export Doctor Who. 

Use our free downloadable app to plan your next trip and explore more of this fascinating corner of Wales’ iconic mining country.