What Is Living In Merthyr Tydfil Like? A Guide To Merthyr Tydfil

Last Updated November 2022

Merthyr Tydfil

Merthyr Tydfil is a town that lies on the south border of the beautiful Brecon Beacons in Wales. The town is well-known for its picturesque surroundings but it is also steeped in historical heritage as it once was the iron capital of the world! Merthyr Tydfil is located just over 30 minutes from the Welsh capital of Cardiff along the A470 and located just over 3 hours to London along the M4 which makes it a great place to be if you enjoy the countryside with the accessibility to the Welsh capital.

Is Merthyr Tydfil a Nice Place to Live?

Despite all Merthyr Tydfil’s pulls with the location, history and countryside the town has a reputation for being one of the least desirable towns to live in, in Wales. This is largely due to the census statistics that were reported in 2011 with the town’s population rating their overall health to be under the national average, income to be lower with high unemployment rates which correlates to a higher percentage of people without any qualifications living in the town.

However, the last census statistics were published a whole decade ago and a whole new generation has emerged since then. The town still holds onto its sense of community who reveal in their scenic rolling countryside and rich heritage. It is true that you will not find as much to do here as you would in the Welsh capital but that is a strong pull for many who love the peace and quiet but with Cardiff just being a quick 30 minutes or so down the road you sure will get the best of both worlds. We say you should never judge a book by its cover and visit the town for yourself before you make the leap of moving here to really gain a sense of whether it is the right town for you.

What County is Merthyr Tydfil in?

The county that Merthyr Tydfil is based within is Mid Glamorgan. The local council is Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.

Population Living in Merthyr Tydfil

Today, Merthyr Tydfil has a much more modest population compared to the Welsh capital Cardiff of which 60,620 people reside compared to over 485,000 in Cardiff. It will be interesting to see how this figure changes as we receive the results of the 2022 census in comparison to the very first census that recorded 7,705 people in Merthyr Tydfil in 1801.

Is Merthyr Tydfil a Safe Place to Live?

Merthyr Tydfil is a very safe place to live with just 55 crimes reported in January 2021. The most number of these crimes reported were for anti-social behaviour at 22 reports. Since February the most amount of crimes occurred in the month of August at 71 crimes reported. Criminal damage and arson made up 6 crime reports in January 2021 so if you need to update your home security give us a call on 01685 707104.

Are The Welsh Valleys Rough?

The Welsh valleys, including Merthyr Tydfil can be seen as rough due to their high unemployment rates. However, as the crime statistics show their crime rates are quite low and this therefore shows that it’s not as rough as it can me made out to be .

House Prices in Merthyr Tydfil

The average price homeowners paid for their property in Merthyr Tydfil was ££150,464. This data has been collected from the last 12 months and 208 property sales. If prices in Merthyr Tydfil continue to rise by 3.6% a year, the average property price will be £162,256 in 2025. Of the property types in Merthyr Tydfil, detached house prices have risen the most between the years ending 2011 and 2021, and semi-detached house prices have grown the least. Overall, sold prices in Merthyr Tydfil over the last year were 6% up on the previous year and 20% up on the 2019 peak of £126,826.

Detached House Prices in Merthyr Tydfil

There were 73 sales of detached properties in Merthyr Tydfil over the last 12 months with homebuyers on average paying £275,073.

Semi-Detached House Prices in Merthyr Tydfil

There were also 96 sales of semi-detached properties in Merthyr Tydfil with the average price paid standing at £154,798. However, over the last 12 months as a whole Zoopla recorded that semi-detached properties in Merthyr Tydfil to have decreased in value by -5.44%.

Terraced House Prices in Merthyr Tydfil

There were 237 sales of terraced properties in Merthyr Tydfil over the last 12 months with buyers forking out just £111,579 on average. Zoopla now estimate the current average value of a terraced property in Merthyr Tydfil to be worth £111,887 and have recorded a decrease in value change of -2.57%.

Flat Prices in Merthyr Tydfil

There was just four sales of a flat in Merthyr Tydfil over the last 12 months with the buyer paying ££76,250.

Renting in Merthyr Tydfil

The average property rents for £636pcm in Merthyr Tydfil. Home.co.uk reports that on average you can expect to pay £477pcm for a room, £533pcm for a flat and £727pcm for a house in Merthyr Tydfil.

Merthyr Tydfil History

Merthyr Tydfil started its journey to what it is today way back in 7,000BC where Neolithic activity was found, more activity of arrowheads and pottery were found in the area that dates back to the Stone and Bronze Age. In 480AD Merthyr Tydfil got its name from Tudful, a daughter of the King of Breconshire as she was martyred during a pagan raid. In 1759 the important first steps of ironworks are established marking the industrial revolution era of which Merthyr Tydfil which was once the hub of iron and steel production.

In 1801 the first national census took place and showed that Merthyr Tydfil had a population of 7,705 which marked it the largest settlement in Wales, larger than Cardiff, Swansea and Newport at the time! From here, Merthyr Tydfil continues to create groundbreaking history including steam locomotives, the first female mayor and the Brecon Beacons National Park is created. As you can see, Merthyr Tydfil has marked itself as a poignant town in history and therefore the town you see today embraces its historical remnants.

What Is Merthyr Tydfil Famous For?

Merthyr Tydfil is most famous for having the first steam locomotive built in it by Richard Trevithick in 1804. Now there are miles of beautiful scenic tracks, pathways, and historic trails for you to walk through.

Arts and Culture in Merthyr Tydfil

Located in the old town hall, a Grad II listed building is Redhouse, an arts and creative industry centre located in the centre of the town which opened in 2014 after an extensive £8 million project. Inside you’ll find the glass-roofed Plymouth Courtyard, the Dowlais Theatre, Y Galeri Faenor art exhibition space, dance, music and recording studios as well as café. If you’re a creative, Redhouse sure is the place to be.

Another place to visit if you’re a Welsh speaker is Canolfan and Theatr Soar which opened to promote the Welsh language enticing the locals and other Welsh speakers to participate in Welsh-speaking activities. Canofan and Theatr Soar are open for drama, dance, music, poetry, workshops, comedy and more! There is also a café here so you can enjoy spending time here for the whole day.

That’s not all, as you know by now that Merthyr Tydfil is steeped in history there are also a number of museums including No. 4 Chapel Row which has been beautifully restored into a traditional home of a 19^th Century ironworker for visitors to experience. Ynysfach Engine House is another that has been restored from the industrial era and reopened as a heritage centre.

Travelling in Merthyr Tydfil

Travelling to and from Merthyr Tydfil is easy due to the A roads that surround the town. The A470 will take you north and south of the town and the A465 will take you east and west across Wales and across the border into England.

Train station in Merthyr Tydfil

The Merthyr Tydfil train station is located in the central south part of the town in Twynrodyn which takes you to Cardiff Central in an hour with multiple stops along the way such as Abercynon and Llandaf and all the way over to Barry Island.

Buses in Merthyr Tydfil

The main bus operator in Merthyr Tydfil is Stagecoach which will take you around the town and outside to places such as Abergavenny, Newtown and Cardiff.

Airports in Merthyr Tydfil

The closest airport to Merthyr Tydfil is Cardiff Airport which as you know is just over 30 minutes away by car or an hour via train.

Schools in Merthyr Tydfil

There are plenty of choices of schools in Merthyr Tydfil with 19 primary schools, with a further 5 aided primary schools and day specials. There are 3 secondary schools in the town with a further 1 aided secondary school. There is also Merthyr Tydfil College which offers full time and part time courses as well as apprenticeships and higher education courses.

Eating and Drinking in Merthyr Tydfil

The top three restaurants in Merthyr Tydfil according to Tripadvisor April 2021 are:

1. JOL’s: if you’re looking for a place to wine and dine with elegance visit JOL’s who serve up exquisite European dishes displayed like pieces of fine art.
2. Aberglais Inn: second on the list is Aberglais Inn who serves up pub classics in a 19^th Century stone-built hostelry.
3. Mango House: last but not least is Mango House, an Indian restaurant serving all the classics.

Shopping in Merthyr Tydfil

There are lots of different places to go shopping in Merthyr Tydfil including the town centre which includes high street favourites, a quirky indoor market and a traditional street market that runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays. As well as the weekly market there is also a farmers market that is held on the first Friday of every month that sell fresh, local produce which help boost the local economy.

Further out is Trago Merthyr Tydfil a huge retail park that sells interior items, DIY stores, garden centres, clothing, beauty and more! Similarly there is Cyfarthfa Shopping Park that has a wider range of fashion, electronics and cafes. And not forgetting St Tyfdil’s Shopping Centre that is home to 50 shops!

Places to Stay in Merthyr Tydfil

Here are a few places to stay in Merthyr Tydfil:

1. Lakeside Lodge: a self catering, two bedroom lodge set between the two reservoirs of Pentwyn and Pontsticill. It has a 4 star rating and would suit couples and families.
2. Grawen Caravan & Camping Park: A perfect camping ground for all who enjoy mountain, forest and reservoir walks!
3. Nant Ddu Lodge & Hotel Spa: This 3* luxury hotel is great option for those who wish to put their feet up and relax. There is a bistro and bar and pool with treatments available.

Top Things to do in Merthyr Tydfil

1. Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery
2. Brecon Mountain Railway
3. Taff Trail
4. Morlais Castle
5. Llwyn-on Reservoir
6. Redhouse
7. Garwnant Visitor Centre
8. Joseph Parry’s Cottage
9. Rock UL Summit Centre
10. Vertigo Trampoline Park

Need a Locksmith in Merthyr Tydfil?

When moving into a new home changing the locks is vital as you never know how many keys are out there and risk the keys falling into the wrong hands. Arrange for a Merthyr Tydfil Locksmith to come and fit a new lock the day you get your keys to provide you with peace of mind. We at Keytek^® Locksmiths Merthyr Tydfil provide a professional local mobile Locksmith service complying with British Standard and Home Insurance policies to ensure your home is as secure as can be! What’s more is all our customers benefit from a FREE home security check on site to ensure your home is as secure as can be!

There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist to help you along the way! Once you’re in consider improving the security of your home further still by checking out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security here!

View our Keytek^® Locksmiths Merthyr Tydfil page to find your local Locksmith today or call us on 01685 707104!