From Iron to Inspiration: A Showground for Merthyr

Reclaiming the Cyfarthfa Ironworks as a hub for culture, community, and celebration

Merthyr Tydfil’s past is cast in iron – and nowhere is that more evident than the site of the once-mighty Cyfarthfa Ironworks. But for a site of such immense historical importance, it feels… forgotten. Tucked away and crumbling, it’s as if this great landmark of the Industrial Revolution is waiting for someone to care again.

Well, I care. Deeply.

And here’s an idea that could not only honour our past but fuel our future:

Let’s turn the Cyfarthfa Ironworks site into a world-class showground and event venue.

The Perfect Location

Let’s look at what’s already there:

  • A wide, flat site steeped in history and character

  • Taff Trail access, linking directly to Cefn Viaduct and the world’s oldest surviving iron railway bridge

  • A stone’s throw from Cyfarthfa Castle, Cyfarthfa Park, and the Joseph Parry Cottage

  • Scenic views, industrial architecture, and tonnes of potential

This is a site with soul. And that’s exactly what major events need.

What Could It Host?

A Merthyr Showground could bring in events that currently pass us by:

  • Truckfest South Wales

  • Comic Con Wales

  • Vintage car & steam rallies

  • Welsh food, drink & craft festivals

  • Outdoor concerts & theatre

  • Cultural events like the National Eisteddfod

  • LGBTQ+ Pride, wellness expos, tattoo conventions, Air shows, cosplay weekends – the list goes on!

We already have a great small car show at Trago Mills, and the odd event at Rhydycar Leisure Centre, but imagine if Merthyr became the home of big-name, annual shows – drawing crowds, attention, and business to our doorstep.

A Monument to the Ironworks Legacy

Let’s not erase the past – let’s build on it.

  • Light up the arches of the old blast furnaces with tasteful, permanent lighting displays.

  • Install a monument, sculpture or art installation in each arch – perhaps one for each major trade Merthyr was known for: Iron. Coal. Steel. Rail. Music. Resistance.

  • Incorporate interpretive signs, VR points, or historical markers to tell the story of Merthyr’s industrial roots to visitors.

This becomes more than just a showground – it becomes a living museum, a tourist destination, and a source of local pride.

How It All Links Together

This proposal fits seamlessly into the vision I’ve laid out across this blog:

  • Rhydycar West brings tourists and adventure.

  • Narrow gauge rail and cable car systems connect attractions across the town.

  • A theme park at Abercanaid offers fun for families.

  • A revitalised town centre and Avenue de Clichy makes Merthyr a social hub.

  • River Taff clean-up and lighting brings nature, romance and beauty.

  • Now, a National Showground at the Ironworks celebrates our past and drives our cultural future.

Each piece supports the other. This is not just one-off ideas – it’s a coherent, joined-up plan to turn Merthyr into Wales’s leading leisure and cultural town.

What Next?

There’s land, there’s heritage, there’s infrastructure nearby. What we need now is:

  • Vision from leadership

  • Investment from public and private sectors

  • Local support – from people who want to see Merthyr rise again

This is achievable. Other towns have done it. So why not us?

Make Merthyr Great Again – By Celebrating Where We Came From

Merthyr helped build the modern world. Now, it’s time we rebuilt ourselves.

Let’s clean up the Taff. Light up the ironworks. Fill the Valley with music, shows, festivals, culture and community. Let’s reclaim the ground our ancestors toiled on – and turn it into something joyful, powerful, and full of life.

And trust me... I’ve got more ideas to come.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Mountain Air, Tredegar – A Pub Worth Defending

Image
Let’s talk about The Mountain Air in Tredegar. If you know, you know. And if you don’t know – well, let me paint you a picture, because this isn’t just a pub or a restaurant to me, it’s an experience. A damn good one. From the moment you walk through the doors, there’s something about the place that just feels right . It’s got that perfect blend of cosy and welcoming – you’re greeted with smiles, warm lighting, and the scent of something absolutely mouthwatering drifting out of the kitchen. I’ve been to plenty of pubs in South Wales and beyond, but I keep coming back to The Mountain Air for one simple reason: it’s the best. Hands down. The atmosphere ? Spot on. It’s buzzing without being too loud, chilled without being dead, and friendly without feeling forced. You can go in on your own and feel at ease, or go in with a group and feel right at home. The staff ? Absolutely fantastic. Every single time we’ve visited – and trust me, it’s not just once or twice – we’ve been looked aft...
Read more

Dragged Up, Not Brought Up: A Parent’s Reflection on the State of Parenting Today

Parenting has never been easy. But lately, I’ve started to wonder: have some people just given up entirely? There’s a difference between bringing children up and letting them grow up wild, and right now, it feels like too many kids are being dragged up without discipline, accountability, or even a hint of respect for others. It’s not about being perfect. We all struggle, we all get it wrong sometimes. But when you refuse to even try to do the right thing - when you defend your child’s worst behaviour instead of confronting it - that’s when I worry. Recently, my own son, who has already been through far more than any child should due to early childhood trauma, was attacked. Not by some nameless group of troublemakers - though that would have been bad enough - but by a group of girls. One of them, heartbreakingly, was my own daughter. There’s no hiding from that. No sugarcoating it. As parents, my partner and I have dealt with it. Heavily. Because we will not tolerate bad behaviour,...
Read more

Brother from Another Mother: My Mate Phil

Image
Some people come into your life by pure chance, and some stay in it by pure loyalty. That’s exactly how I’d sum up my mate Phil. We first crossed paths back in 2014 on the Renault Owners Club Facebook page. I had a Megane at the time, and Phil was the proud owner of a Scenic. Just two blokes chatting about their cars online - nothing unusual, really. But somehow, that random conversation turned into a genuine, lifelong friendship. From day one, we just clicked. No drama, no egos, just an instant mutual respect and shared sense of humour. What started as a few casual posts and comments quickly evolved into proper chats, and before I knew it, Phil had become one of the most important people in my life. In the years that followed, we’ve been through a lot - separately and together. Life hasn’t always been easy, but Phil has always been there. Not just on the good days, when it’s easy to be someone’s mate, but on the tough ones too. When things got heavy, when I didn’t know where to turn...
Read more