Aberfan
Built-up area in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
| Coordinates: | 51.691, -3.343 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SO 07 00 |
| Population: | 3,547 |
| Dialling code: | 01685 (Merthyr Tydfil) |
Aberfan is a small former mining village on the lower slopes of the South Wales Valleys just south of Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, sitting above the valley of the River Taff and within easy reach of the hills that lead towards the Brecon Beacons. The landscape is marked by steep valley sides and the remnants of coal-industry infrastructure; since the mines closed the area has faced the same economic transition and regeneration challenges seen across former coal communities in the region.
Aberfan is best known for the 21 October 1966 disaster when a coal spoil tip collapsed onto the village school and houses, killing 144 people, 116 of them children. The tragedy had a profound social and cultural impact and led to a national inquiry that criticised the National Coal Board. Today the site is quiet and commemorated by an Aberfan Memorial Garden and cemetery, and the community marks the anniversary each year while the village remains a place of deep local memory and resilience.
Postcode districts covering Aberfan
Most populated places nearby
- Cardiff 14.8 miles23.9 km
- Newport 17.8 miles28.7 km
- Tonypandy 7.2 miles11.6 km
- Barry 19.9 miles32.1 km
- Bridgend 15.7 miles25.3 km
- Cwmbran Central 13.8 miles22.2 km
- Cwmbrân 13.7 miles22 km
- Neath 20.6 miles33.1 km
- Merthyr Tydfil 4.2 miles6.8 km
- Coity Higher 14.7 miles23.7 km
- Pontypool 13.2 miles21.3 km
- Briton Ferry 21.2 miles34.1 km
Neighbouring places
- Merthyr Vale Parish 0.1 miles0.2 km
- Mountain Ash East Parish 1.4 miles2.2 km
- Bedlinog Built-up area 1.5 miles2.5 km
- Mountain Ash Built-up area 1.8 miles2.8 km
- Bedlinog and Trelewis Ward 1.8 miles2.9 km
- Penrhiw-ceibr Ward 1.8 miles2.9 km
- Penrhiwceiber Parish 1.8 miles2.9 km
- Troedyrhiw and Pentrebach Built-up area 1.8 miles2.9 km
- Mountain Ash West Parish 2.1 miles3.3 km
- Plymouth Ward 2.1 miles3.4 km
- Troed-y-rhiw Parish 2.1 miles3.4 km
- Treharris Built-up area 2.4 miles3.9 km
Example postcodes in Aberfan
CF48 4PH, CF48 4PU, CF48 4QY, CF48 4NY, CF48 4NR, CF48 4QS, CF48 4QJ, CF48 4QF, CF48 4PL … See all
Transport links
- Cardiff Airport 20.4 miles32.8 km
- Bristol Airport 34.3 miles55.1 km
- Merthyr Vale Railway Station 0.4 miles0.7 km
- Troed-y-rhiw Railway Station 1.4 miles2.3 km
Hotels near Aberfan Ad
- Llechwen Hall Hotel 3 3.8 miles6.1 km
- The Antelope Hotel 4.9 miles7.9 km
- Howfield Hotel 4 miles6.4 km
- The Falcon Inn Retreat 3.9 miles6.3 km
- The Bessemer Hotel Carvery and Grill 4.8 miles7.8 km
- The Blueberry Hotel 3 6.1 miles9.9 km
- Tredegar Arms Hotel 3 6.9 miles11.2 km
- Brewers Lodge 3 6.3 miles10.2 km
- Castle Hotel 3 4.2 miles6.7 km
- The Tiger Inn 4.3 miles6.9 km
Schools in Aberfan
- Ynysowen Primary Primary
Local points of interest
- Sardis Road Stadium 6.2 miles10 km
- Llantrisant Forest Forest 10 miles16.1 km
- Ogmore Forest Forest 10.1 miles16.2 km
- Craig Llysfaen Mountains 11.8 miles19 km
- Blaenavon World Heritage Centre Museum 12.3 miles19.8 km
- Pontypool Park Stadium 13.2 miles21.3 km
- Hensol Castle Estate 13.3 miles21.3 km
- Brecon Beacons Mountains 13.8 miles22.3 km
- Cwmbran Town Stadium 14.2 miles22.9 km
- St Fagans: National History Museum Museum 14.4 miles23.2 km
- Fforest Fawr Mountains 15 miles24.2 km
- Vita Student Cardiff College 15.7 miles25.2 km