Pont-y-Cafnau, Merthyr Tydfil

Name: Pont-y-Cafnau
Address: Merthyr Tydfil, United Kingdom

#10 among attractions in Merthyr Tydfil

Bridge

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Map

Gallery

Facts and practical information

The Pont-y-Cafnau, sometimes written Pont y Cafnau or Pontycafnau, is a 14.2-metre long iron truss bridge over the River Taff in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. The bridge was designed by Watkin George and built in 1793 for his employer, the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, to support both a tramway and an aqueduct to carry limestone and water into the works. A Grade II* listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Pont-y-Cafnau is the world's earliest surviving iron railway bridge. ()

Completed: 1793 (231 years ago)Length: 47 ftCoordinates: 51°45'17"N, 3°23'44"W

Address

Merthyr Tydfil United Kingdom

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Day trips

Pont-y-Cafnau – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Cyfarthfa Castle, Old Iron Bridge, Joseph Parry's Cottage, Merthyr Tydfil Town Hall.

~1400 ftNE
Forts and castles, Museum, History museum
Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr Tydfil
7 min walk • Cyfarthfa Castle is a castellated mansion that was the home of the Crawshay family, ironmasters of Cyfarthfa Ironworks in Park, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. The house commanded a view of the valley and the works, which ‘at night, offer a truly magnificent scene, resembling the fabled Pandemonium, but on which the eye may gaze with pleasure’.
0.8 miSE
Bridge
Old Iron Bridge, Merthyr Tydfil
21 min walk • The Old Iron Bridge of 1800, originally known simply as Merthyr Bridge before 1809, in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, was a cast-iron bridge across the River Taff.
0.5 miSE
Architecture, Museum, History museum
Joseph Parry's Cottage, Merthyr Tydfil
14 min walk • Joseph Parry's Cottage, also known as 4 Chapel Row, is a cottage located in Merthyr Tydfil, in South Wales. Built in the early 19th century for ironworkers, the cottage is best known as the birthplace of the famous Welsh composer Joseph Parry.
0.9 miSE
City hall
Merthyr Tydfil Town Hall, Merthyr Tydfil
24 min walk • Merthyr Tydfil Town Hall is a municipal building in the High Street, Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. The town hall, which was the headquarters of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, is a Grade II* listed building.
0.6 miSE
Canal
Glamorganshire Canal, Merthyr Tydfil
16 min walk • The Glamorganshire Canal in South Wales, UK, was begun in 1790. It ran along the valley of the River Taff from Merthyr Tydfil to the sea at Cardiff. The final section of canal was closed in 1951.
0.9 miSE
51°44'43"N • 3°22'47"W
St Tydfil Shopping Centre, Merthyr Tydfil
24 min walk • Shopping, Shopping centre
0.9 miSE
Church
Ynysgau Chapel, Merthyr Tydfil
22 min walk • Ynysgau Chapel was one of the earliest chapels in Merthyr Tydfil. The cause dated back to 1749 and services were held in the Welsh language. The chapel was demolished in 1967 as part of the Merthyr Town Improvement Scheme.
1 miSE
Synagogue, Gothic Revival architecture
Merthyr Synagogue, Merthyr Tydfil
27 min walk • The former Merthyr Synagogue is located on Bryntirion Road in the Thomastown section of Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. It is a Grade II listed building and is the oldest purpose-built synagogue still standing in Wales.
0.8 miSE
Universities and schools
Merthyr Tydfil College, Merthyr Tydfil
21 min walk • Merthyr Tydfil College is a further education college located in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. From May 2006 to April 2013, it was a constituent college of the University of Glamorgan and thereafter, a college of the University of South Wales.
0.8 miE
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
Penydarren Park, Merthyr Tydfil
21 min walk • Penydarren Park is a sports stadium in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, that is the present home ground of Merthyr Town F.C. Historically used for varying sports, it has been the home to two professional football teams, Merthyr Town and Merthyr Tydfil F.C.
1 miSE
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
The Wern, Merthyr Tydfil
25 min walk • The Wern is a sports stadium in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. It is the home of rugby union club Merthyr RFC and was, for a short period in 2017, also home of rugby league club South Wales Ironmen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Pont-y-Cafnau?

Nearby attractions include Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr Tydfil (7 min walk), Joseph Parry's Cottage, Merthyr Tydfil (14 min walk), Glamorganshire Canal, Merthyr Tydfil (16 min walk), Old Iron Bridge, Merthyr Tydfil (21 min walk).

How to get to Pont-y-Cafnau by public transport?

The nearest stations to Pont-y-Cafnau:

Bus

Bramble Close • Lines: Me27-1, Me27-3, Me27-4 (15 min walk)
Goitre Primary School • Lines: Me27-1 (17 min walk)

Train

Merthyr Tydfil (27 min walk)