Built-up area in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales
| Coordinates: | 51.713, -3.461 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SN 99 02 |
| Population: | 31,135 |
| Dialling code: | 01685 (Merthyr Tydfil) |
Aberdare in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales sits at the head of the Cynon Valley, where the River Cynon and the River Dare meet, backed by the steep valley sides and upland moors that characterise the South Wales Valleys. The town grew rapidly in the 19th century with coal and iron industries, leaving a legacy of Victorian civic architecture such as St Elvan's Church and the leafy Aberdare Park, and it provides a visible edge between former industrial settlements and the nearby hills of the Brecon Beacons.
After a period of post‑industrial decline, Aberdare is now a local retail and service centre undergoing regeneration, while retaining strong community traditions - nonconformist chapel culture, choirs and sporting life remain important. It’s also a practical gateway for outdoor recreation on the surrounding moorland and a town with a distinctive working‑class history that continues to shape its social and cultural life.
CF44 8AP, CF44 6AQ, CF44 9NA, CF44 8LL, CF44 0GW, CF44 6LA, CF44 0LH, CF44 9ES, CF44 9PN, CF44 7NH