Cynon Valley Museum

About the museum

Cynon Valley Museum opened in 2001 after years of local campaigning for a place to celebrate the history and culture of the valley, and it was developed with Heritage Lottery Fund support. It closed in 2014 as a result of public spending cuts. A campaign group then worked with the council on a reopening, and in 2016 the museum reopened under the independent Cynon Valley Museum Trust.

The museum stands in front of the remains of the four blast furnaces of the Gadlys Ironworks, which are considered some of the best preserved in Britain. The display areas occupy the former casting houses where molten iron once ran. The works began in 1837 with a single furnace and grew to four by 1862 before the iron industry declined and the plant was sold in 1886.

The Cynon Valley Collection holds more than 20,000 objects, documents and photographs and remains in the care of the Rhondda Cynon Taf heritage service. The museum shows permanent displays of local stories alongside temporary exhibitions in the Mezzanine Gallery and the Lower Gallery. It also has a tearoom, a shop selling local crafts, family activities and rooms for hire.

Highlights

• Remains of the Gadlys Ironworks blast furnaces
• Cynon Valley Collection of over 20,000 items
• Two galleries for changing exhibitions
• Dylan's Detective Trails for families
• Shop with local crafts

Permanent exhibition

• Permanent displays on the Cynon Valley – Displays on the stories of the Cynon Valley and its people, drawn from the Cynon Valley Collection.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Cynon Valley Museum Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; donations are welcome.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free access to all areas and a lift to the first floor. There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor and two accessible parking bays with step-free access to the entrance. The museum takes part in the Sunflower Lanyard scheme.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum is family friendly and suitable for all ages. It offers family activities, craft resources and printable detective trails.

Getting there & parking

The museum is next to Tesco on Depot Road. From the M4, leave at junction 43 and follow the A465, then the A4059 to Aberdare; from the east use junction 32 and the A470 and A4059 through Mountain Ash.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum tearoom (Cafe Green Valley Kitchen), open Tuesday to Friday in the morning at the time of the last update, and a museum shop with local crafts.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Parry Room, the Library, the Lower Gallery and the Mezzanine Gallery can be hired. Hire rooms have their own Wi-Fi for hirers.

Plan your visit