natural wonder
Pontsticill Reservoir
A long reservoir beneath Pen y Fan served by the Brecon Mountain Railway, with forest trails along its eastern shore.
19 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomWales
Abercynon
Wales, United Kingdom · Europe
About Abercynon
Abercynon works well as a base: 10 minutes from Pontypridd, 19km from Pontsticill Reservoir.
Abercynon is in Wales, United Kingdom, with about 6,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Pontypridd, about 5 km away.
Abercynon (Welsh pronunciation: [abɛrˈkənɔn]) is a village and community (and electoral ward) in the Cynon Valley within the unitary authority of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. The community comprises the village and the districts of Carnetown and Grovers Field to the south, Navigation Park to the east, and Glancynon (orRead more
Aber-taf) to the north.
The population of Abercynon was recorded as 6,428 in the 2001 Census, decreasing to 6,390 at the 2011 Census, despite more than a hundred additional households built over this period (from 2,582 in 2011 to 2,694 by 2011). The electoral ward of Abercynon includes both the community of Abercynon, but also takes into account the nearby villages of Pontcynon, Ynysboeth and Tyntetown further north.
Abercynon is approximately 16 miles (26 km) north of Cardiff and approximately 40 miles (64 km) from Swansea. The rivers Taff and Cynon converge at Watersmeet near Martin's Terrace. Abercynon used to have many churches, chapels and pubs. There are now only four public houses left - The Thorn Hotel, The Navigation, The Top Club and the Carne Park Hotel. The only churches still left are St. Donat's Church in Wales, its daughter church, St. Gwynno's, St. Thomas' Roman Catholic Church and the Methodist church in Martin's Lane.
Where to Stay in Abercynon
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Abercynon?
Within an hour or so of Abercynon: Pontsticill Reservoir (19 km), Sgwd yr Eira (22 km), Sgwd Clun-Gwyn (23 km), Sgwd Gwladys (Lady Falls) (23 km).
Are there any good drives near Abercynon?
The nearest famous roads are Black Mountain Pass (A4069), Gospel Pass and A466 Wye Valley (Chepstow to Monmouth).
Where is Abercynon?
Abercynon is in Wales, United Kingdom, about 5 km from Pontypridd.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 5,983
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Wales
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.6455, -3.3273
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Abercynon
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
waterfall
Sgwd yr Eira
Spectacular waterfall in the Brecon Beacons where you can walk behind the curtain of water on a natural rock ledge, a truly unique experience.
22 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
Sgwd Clun-Gwyn
The first of the Four Waterfalls on the Afon Mellte, a wide stepped fall in the limestone gorge near Ystradfellte.
23 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
Sgwd Gwladys (Lady Falls)
A graceful fall on the Afon Pyrddin near Pontneddfechan, also walkable behind, in the heart of Waterfall Country.
23 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Nedd Fechan Gorge
A limestone river gorge threaded with falls and caves between Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte, the spine of Waterfall Country.
23 km · about 25 min drive
cafe
Rattlesnake Biker Cafe
A characterful biker cafe in the Brecon Beacons serving as a popular pit stop for riders exploring the stunning Welsh mountain roads.
24 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
Talybont Reservoir
A wooded reservoir in the central Brecon Beacons with a lakeside cycle route on the old Brecon and Merthyr railway.
24 km · about 30 min drive
national park
Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
South Wales mountain range with flat-topped peaks, cascading waterfalls, deep caves and an International Dark Sky Reserve.
27 km · about 30 min drive
Driving roads near Abercynon
- 27 kmCorn DuPen y Fan's twin summit at 873m, with a Bronze Age cairn and the finest view over the Beacons' north escarpment.
- 28 kmPen y FanThe highest peak in southern Britain at 886 metres, the flat-topped summit of the Brecon Beacons offering sweeping views across Wales.
- 30 kmSugar Loaf (Y Fal)A 596m conical hill above Abergavenny with a 360-degree view over the Usk valley and the Black Mountains; easy from the car park.
- 34 kmSkirrid Fawr (Ysgyryd Fawr)A landslipped 486m ridge above Abergavenny whose split profile gave rise to the legend it cracked at the Crucifixion.
- 37 kmWaun FachThe highest point of the Black Mountains at 811m, a broad peaty summit above the Vale of Ewyas and the Gospel Pass.
- 42 kmBlack Mountain Pass (A4069)Top Gear's favourite British road, a smooth, empty ribbon of hairpins and open bends over the western Brecon Beacons between Llangadog and Brynamman.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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