Aberdare (Aberdâr)
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.
Postcode districts covering Aberdare
Most populated places nearby
- Cardiff 18.9 miles
- Swansea 21.6 miles
- Newport 23.1 miles
- Tonypandy 6.8 miles
- Barry 22.9 miles
- Bridgend 14.7 miles
- Cwmbran Central 19.1 miles
- Cwmbrân 19 miles
- Neath 15.8 miles
- Merthyr Tydfil 4.2 miles
- Coity Higher 13.7 miles
- Pontypool 18.3 miles
Neighbouring places
- Aberdare West Parish 0.6 miles
- Aberdare East Parish 0.9 miles
- Aberdare West and Llwydcoed Ward 1 mile
- Aberaman North Parish 1.5 miles
- Llwydcoed Parish 1.5 miles
- Pen-y-waun Parish 1.7 miles
- Aberaman Ward 1.9 miles
- Cwmbach Parish 2 miles
- Aberaman South Parish 2.1 miles
- Maerdy Built-up area 2.9 miles
- Ferndale and Maerdy Ward 3.1 miles
- Cyfarthfa Parish 3.2 miles
Example postcodes in Aberdare
CF44 7HL, CF44 9SW, CF44 9DU, CF44 7RF, CF44 8TG, CF44 0EG, CF44 0NR, CF44 0RH, CF44 7PD … See all
Transport links
- Cardiff Airport 22.5 miles
- Bristol Airport 39.2 miles
- Aberdare Railway Station 0.8 miles
- Cwmbach Railway Station 2.2 miles
Hotels near Aberdare Ad
- The Falcon Inn Retreat 1.9 miles
- Howfield Hotel 4.2 miles
- The Antelope Hotel 6 miles
- Llechwen Hall Hotel 3 8.2 miles
- Ty Newydd Country Hotel 3 3.9 miles
- Castle Hotel 3 4.2 miles
- The Bessemer Hotel Carvery and Grill 3 5.5 miles
- The Bessemer Hotel Carvery and Grill 3 5.5 miles
- The Blueberry Hotel 3 9.2 miles
- Heritage Park Pontypridd, Trademark Collection by Wyndham 3 7.7 miles
Schools in Aberdare
- Aberdare Community School Secondary
- Aberdare Park Primary Primary
- Aberdare Town C in W Primary Primary
- Abernant County Primary Primary
- Blaengwawr Primary Primary
- Capcoch Primary School Primary
- Caradog Primary School Primary
- Cwmaman Primary School Primary
- Cwmbach Church in Wales Primary
- Cwmbach Community Primary Primary
- Cwmdar County Primary School Primary
- Hirwaun Primary School Primary
- Llwydcoed Primary School Primary
- Maesgwyn Special
- Oaklands Primary School Primary
- Park Lane Special School Special
- Penywaun Community School Primary
- St John Baptist CIW High School Secondary
- St. Margaret's Catholic Primary School Primary
- … See all
Local points of interest
- Ogmore Forest Forest 8.6 miles
- Sardis Road Stadium 9.1 miles
- Fforest Fawr Mountains 10.8 miles
- Llantrisant Forest Forest 11.3 miles
- Brecon Beacons Mountains 11.6 miles
- Craig-y-nôs Castle Estate 11.9 miles
- The Gnoll Stadium 14.8 miles
- Hensol Castle Estate 15.3 miles
- Craig Llysfaen Mountains 16.4 miles
- Blaenavon World Heritage Centre Museum 16.5 miles
- Victoria Road Stadium 16.9 miles
- Afan Lido Stadium 17.2 miles