Things to see and do Merthyr Tydfil (Merthyr Tudful)

The only whisky distilled in Wales, the independent distillery is one of the smallest in the world. A visit to Penderyn takes you on a journey through the history of the country's only single malt whisky, as well as its distillation. The whisky is a subtle blend of tradition and modernity. An innovative distillery, Penderyn is renowned for the exceptional ageing of its malts in old Madeira wine casks. The tour, led by a team of enthusiasts, is... fascinating! Store online. Don't hesitate to have a look at the online agenda.

This is perhaps the best place to see how the establishment of the mines completely changed the organization of rural life. Rhondda Heritage Park is a must-see for anyone wanting to gain a better understanding of the country's past. In the center of the hills, the mine, then all around rows of workers' houses huddled together. 160,000 workers once settled in the Rhondda valley to run its 40 coal mines!

A street from the 1950s has been reconstructed in the visitor center building, recreating the everyday atmosphere in which the valley's workers lived. On the second floor is an art gallery (free admission) with a temporary program, independent of the site's theme, and a restaurant.

The Black Gold Tour immediately transports us into the dark world of the mine. The tour's main attraction is its focus on the social impact of the new "black cities". Part of the tour, for example, focuses on the place of women in this changed social organization. The experience is also very physical: you descend into the belly of the mine, wearing a safety helmet and armed with a lamp, to discover the machines and their noise, their impressive volume, the dark and damp environment, the darkness... Excellent staging and multimedia documentation give this tour a particularly lively and didactic tone. It's impossible to leave indifferent..