Pontypridd Museum

About the museum

Pontypridd Museum opened in 1986 in the former Tabernacle Welsh Baptist Chapel on Bridge Street, next to the Old Bridge. It tells how a quiet Valleys community became an industrial town at the heart of the South Wales coalfield, and how that industry shaped the town’s music, art, sport and politics.

The story it presents begins with William Edwards’s Old Bridge of 1756, which was for many years the longest single-span bridge in Europe. The Glamorganshire Canal reached the town in 1794, the Brown Lenox chainworks began in 1818 and the Taff Vale Railway opened in 1841. The town, formerly known as Newbridge, was renamed Pontypridd in 1856, and its population grew from about 3,000 to more than 32,000 by 1890. Local figures such as Dr William Price and Evan and James James are part of the story.

The collection holds more than 16,000 objects, which the museum uses for changing exhibitions, school sessions and trails for families. The town council manages the museum, and its basement community rooms can be hired for events.

Highlights

• Local history of Pontypridd from the Old Bridge to the coalfield era
• Building: the former Tabernacle Welsh Baptist Chapel
• Collection of more than 16,000 objects
• Changing exhibitions, including the annual art society show
• Mab Trail and family trails

Founded

1986

Operated by

Pontypridd Town Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free according to the Museums Association free-entry list. Hire rates for the community rooms are published by Pontypridd Town Council.

Accessibility

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

The museum describes itself as fully accessible to wheelchair users, with a lift serving all floors and accessible toilets on the ground floor and in the basement. Guided and tactile tours are offered and should be arranged before the visit. There is no dedicated weekday parking at the museum; the closest disabled parking is the Gas Lane car park at the north end of Taff Street, about 300 yards away, and visitors can usually park behind the museum at weekends.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The museum runs free family trails such as the Tourmaline Trail in school half-terms, and the Mab Trail starts from its website. Schools can book workshops with handling objects.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the town centre at the north end of Taff Street. From the south and north follow the A470 past Ynysangharad Park and over the bridge by the Old Bridge; the museum is on the right.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Up to 60 guests.

Two community rooms in the basement, each holding 40 to 60 people depending on the layout, with kitchen facilities. They are used for meetings, fitness classes and workshops.

Plan your visit