Explore Barry Sidings Countryside Park and the Rhondda Heritage Park—two stunning attractions in South Wales rich in nature, history, and family fun.
If you’re looking for a true taste of the South Wales Valleys—where coal heritage meets countryside adventure—then look no further than Barry Sidings Countryside Park and Rhondda Heritage Park. As a local tour guide, I always tell visitors: if you want a day out that gives you nature, nostalgia, and a proper Welsh cwtch of culture, this is the duo to visit.
Let me take you on a journey through both sites—their rich history, how they’re linked, and what you can experience today.
Barry Sidings: From Industrial Past to Countryside Escape
Nestled on the outskirts of Pontypridd, Barry Sidings Countryside Park is a hidden gem. But don’t be fooled by the name—there’s no sea view here! The “Barry Sidings” name comes from its historic function as a marshalling yard for the coal trains that once thundered through the valleys, taking black gold to Barry Docks.
Back in the industrial heyday of the 19th and early 20th century, these sidings were a hive of activity. Engines and wagons clanked through the hillsides as coal from the Rhondda mines passed through here on its journey to the world. This area was part of the Great Western Railway network, built to handle the booming demands of the coal trade.
Today, what remains isn’t soot and steam—but birdsong, bikes, and baristas.
Barry Sidings was transformed into a public park in the 1980s and has since become one of the most beloved open spaces in the valleys. Managed by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, it’s a paradise for walkers, cyclists, families, and dog lovers.
📍 Location: Barry Sidings Countryside Park, Trehafod, CF37 2PE
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What You’ll Find at Barry Sidings Today
The park is packed with amenities, and it’s suitable for all ages and abilities:
🚴 Bike trails: Whether you’re into leisurely family rides or serious mountain biking, the trails here deliver. It’s even close to the Taff Trail for longer rides toward Cardiff or Merthyr.
☕ Café: The Barry Sidings Café is a real highlight, known for its locally sourced menu and excellent coffee. Try the breakfast baps and homemade cakes!
🐾 Dog-friendly zones: Bring your pup—they’ll love the riverside paths and open grasslands.
🧺 Picnic areas and BBQ stands: Perfect for family gatherings or a chilled-out afternoon with friends.
🚻 Toilets and parking: Free parking and well-maintained toilet facilities make the park accessible and easy to enjoy.
During the warmer months, expect paddleboarders on the lake, kids zooming by on scooters, and outdoor events like local music or vintage car meetups.
Rhondda Heritage Park: A Living Memory of the Mining Valleys
Just a short drive up the valley from Barry Sidings, you’ll reach the incredible Rhondda Heritage Park—a must-visit attraction that brings the region’s mining past to life in vivid colour.
Located on the site of the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery, this heritage site tells the story of the men, women, and children who built the Rhondda’s coal empire. The colliery was once one of the most significant in the Rhondda Fach valley, operating from the mid-1800s until its closure in the 1980s.
Now fully restored, the park is home to interactive exhibitions, underground tours, and a welcoming visitor centre that offers something for all generations.
📍 Location: Rhondda Heritage Park, Coed Cae Road, Trehafod, CF37 2NP
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What You’ll Find at Barry Sidings Today
The park is packed with amenities, and it’s suitable for all ages and abilities:
🚴 Bike trails: Whether you’re into leisurely family rides or serious mountain biking, the trails here deliver. It’s even close to the Taff Trail for longer rides toward Cardiff or Merthyr.
☕ Café: The Barry Sidings Café is a real highlight, known for its locally sourced menu and excellent coffee. Try the breakfast baps and homemade cakes!
🐾 Dog-friendly zones: Bring your pup—they’ll love the riverside paths and open grasslands.
🧺 Picnic areas and BBQ stands: Perfect for family gatherings or a chilled-out afternoon with friends.
🚻 Toilets and parking: Free parking and well-maintained toilet facilities make the park accessible and easy to enjoy.
During the warmer months, expect paddleboarders on the lake, kids zooming by on scooters, and outdoor events like local music or vintage car meetups.
Rhondda Heritage Park: A Living Memory of the Mining Valleys
Just a short drive up the valley from Barry Sidings, you’ll reach the incredible Rhondda Heritage Park—a must-visit attraction that brings the region’s mining past to life in vivid colour.
Located on the site of the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery, this heritage site tells the story of the men, women, and children who built the Rhondda’s coal empire. The colliery was once one of the most significant in the Rhondda Fach valley, operating from the mid-1800s until its closure in the 1980s.
Now fully restored, the park is home to interactive exhibitions, underground tours, and a welcoming visitor centre that offers something for all generations.
📍 Location: Rhondda Heritage Park, Coed Cae Road, Trehafod, CF37 2NP
📍 What3Words: ///dish.stick.intend
What to Do at Rhondda Heritage Park
This isn’t just a museum—it’s an experience. Here’s what you can enjoy:
🪨 Black Gold Tour: Don a miner’s helmet and lamp and head down below ground with an ex-miner guide. Their storytelling is powerful—sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking.
🎨 Art and Exhibits: Learn about the Rhondda’s role in shaping global coal trade, working-class culture, and even music and art.
🧒 Interactive play areas: Great for kids who want to learn through touch and exploration.
🍰 Caffi’r Cwm: Stop by the onsite café for a cuppa, a slice of bara brith, or a hot meal.
🎁 Gift Shop: Browse for Welsh crafts, coal art, books, and locally made gifts.
How the Two Connect
The story of Barry Sidings and Rhondda Heritage Park is a tale of coal, community, and transformation. Both are located in Trehafod—within walking or cycling distance of each other—and they form a natural loop of past and present.
Coal once powered these hills; today, it’s nature and remembrance that sustain them. The trains that once linked Barry Docks to the mines now form a mental railway, connecting outdoor exploration with industrial education.
For visitors, the best itinerary? Start your morning with a hearty breakfast at Barry Sidings Café, walk or cycle the scenic trails, then make your way to the Rhondda Heritage Park for an afternoon of culture and history. It’s a full day out, with something for every kind of traveller.
Facilities and Access
🚗 Parking: Free parking is available at both sites.
🚆 By train: Trehafod railway station (on the Cardiff–Treherbert line) is a 10-minute walk from both destinations.
🛝 Accessibility: Barry Sidings has accessible paths and toilets. Rhondda Heritage Park offers wheelchair access throughout most exhibits.
Final Thoughts
If you’re visiting the Valleys or even just passing through, don’t miss the opportunity to experience Barry Sidings and Rhondda Heritage Park. You’ll get your boots muddy, your heart warmed, and your mind opened to the rich tapestry that makes up our corner of South Wales.
Whether it’s the hum of a bike on gravel or the voice of a miner recalling the clang of tools, this is heritage and healing—past and present—side by side.
