Have a family adventure in Rhondda Cynon Taf
It’s time for a family summer adventure! We are home to days out and experiences you won’t find anywhere else in Wales. Located directly off the M4, between Cardiff and the Brecon Beacons, we have everything you need for a fun-filled break.
Dare Valley Country Park
Dare Valley Country Park is home to Gravity, the UK’s first purpose-built family bike park. Take the uplift service to the mountain-top and ride down the trails. Make a stop at the pump tracks. There’s even a colourful balance bike course for little ones. Bring your own bikes or hire one of ours.
Dare Valley Country Park is huge, with an adventure playground, walks, lakeside adventures and plenty of space for scooter rides, picnics, football and more.
Caffi Cwtsh serves everything from tea and cake to Sunday roasts.
There is new caravan/camper van/motorhome site with modern facilities and electrical hook-ups. Dare Valley is a Dark Sky site, meaning it has crystal-clear night skies you can stay under.
The National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty
With three outdoor heated pools, inflatable obstacle course and a splash pool with fountain for little ones, Lido Ponty is a winner for all the family.
Laze on the poolside loungers or grab a coffee from the Waffle House and relax on the terrace. Find out more about Lido Ponty, book your visit online.
Take time after your swim to explore Ynysangharad War Memorial Park and lovely Pontypridd.
Lido Play is free to enter and has loads to entertain the kids. Explore the park, find the statue celebrating Evan and James James, who composed the iconic Welsh National Anthem.
Pop into town, over the historic old bridge, for some shopping. Grab lunch in one of in the many cafés, or head into the Market Quarter, which sells everything from Welsh Cakes to vegan meals.
Zip World Tower
Zoom from the top of Rhigos Mountain on Phoenix, the fastest seated zip line in the world.
Smaller children will love the Tower Flyer.
Ride Tower Coaster, the only one of its kind in Europe, and look out for Tower Climber, an elevated obstacle course.
Zip World Tower, which is built on the site of the former Tower Colliery, also has the Cegin Glo restaurant, where you can admire the view as you dine.
A Welsh Coal Mining Experience
Families love meeting our tour guides at A Welsh Coal Mining Experience – all of whom worked as coal miners when they were boys.
Coal from our valleys helped power the world and sparked the Industrial Revolution. It’s an epic tale we’re proud to tell. Mining shaped our landscape and our communities and fuelled our love of family, music and singing.
Visit us to be fitted with your miner’ helmet to journey underground and back in time. Ride DRAM! and explore original mine workings and other artefacts in the courtyard.
The Royal Mint Experience
“Money talks”– and there’s a definite story to be enjoyed at The Royal Mint Experience. Go behind the scenes at this 1,000-year-old institution that moved to Wales from the Tower of London. Find out how coins are made, strike your own coin and marvel at the statues made from 1p coins. The gift shop is perfect for coin collectors.
Historic Llantrisant
Step back to the days of Victorian eccentrics, captured kings and fearless warriors in historic hilltop town Llantrisant.
For a place so small, it packs a mighty punch, with lots to do. Visit the Castle ruins – try out the stocks!
The Guildhall brings history to life and kids will love the interactive experiences. Walk on the common, meet the ponies and follow the Bunny Walks to the mysterious hill-top Billy Wynt.
Barry Sidings Countryside Park
Run, jump and stretch to your hearts’ desires in this beautiful corner of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
It has a lake, adventure playground, bike pump track and an incredible café serving burgers, milkshakes or more.
Take a gentle stroll through the park or trek up high into the surrounding mountains – the choice is yours!
Back to Nature
Escape from it all and enjoy fresh air, peace and quiet at Clydach Vale Countryside Park. Here you will find two lakes – one which is busier and has ducks and geese to feed and a lakeside café. Walk a little further up to the serene “top lake” where you may spot the resident heron.
Chase waterfalls
Discover “secret” waterfalls and crystal clear dipping ponds. The Penpych walk takes you through ancient forestry, past a waterfall and pool and then up to one of the best views in the region.
Llanwonno
Llanwonno Forestry is a family-friendly walk where you can discover the hidden reservoir and the beautiful Pistyll Goleu waterfall.
Make a stop at St Gwynno’s Church to see the final resting place of Guto Nyth Bran, once the fastest man in the world. The Nos Galan Road Races are held in Mountain Ash every year in his honour.
What's on the menu?
There’s lots on the menu in Rhondda Cynon Taf. From high street names and familiar pub grub to something special.
Grab a takeaway from the award-winning Penaluna’s Famous Fish and Chips in Hirwaun and dine al-fresco on top of Rhigos Mountain. Try to choose from over 60 flavours of ice cream at the super cool Sub Zero Ice Cream in Penrhiwfer or enjoy tapas, pizza or more in the Cardiff Arms Bistro Hotel in our award-winning town, Treorchy.
Meet the Alpacas at Garth Hall Farm
Little ones will love meeting the alpacas – and maybe taking them for a walk – at Garth Hall Farm. Visit a real-life working farm to see what life is like, meet and pet the alpacas and take them for a stroll through beautiful countryside
Aberdare Park
Take a boat ride (swan or dragon, you choose!) across the Victorian boating lake and pick up some food from the café for the geese and ducks that live there. Make a splash at AquaDare Splash Park and go wild on the huge adventure playground. Spot the beautiful fountain, which is one of only a few in the world – another being at the posh Raffles Hotel in Singapore!
Cinema
Pick up the popcorn and settle in for a family favourite at Showcase Cinema in Nantgarw. The Park and Dare and Coliseum Theatres also run movie sessions.
