Pontypridd

Pontypridd is a town and community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It lies in the Taff Valley, about 12 miles north-west of Cardiff, at the upper reaches of the River Taff. The name derives from Pont y Taff, meaning bridge over the Taff.

The town expanded during the industrial revolution as coal mining and ironworks grew in the Glamorgan coalfield. The opening of the Taff Vale Railway in the 1840s linked Pontypridd to Cardiff and Merthyr, turning it into a market town and transport hub. The area saw rapid population growth in the 19th and early 20th centuries, followed by industrial decline in the late 20th century and subsequent regeneration.

The River Taff runs through the town, with Ynysangharad War Memorial Park located on its banks and serving as a major cultural site. The Pontypridd area includes Treforest, a suburb that hosts the University of South Wales Treforest Campus. The Taff Trail, a long-distance foot and cycle path, connects Pontypridd with Cardiff and along the river.

The area's economy has shifted from heavy industry to services and education, with regeneration projects in the town center. The town is connected by the A470 road to Cardiff and by rail through Pontypridd railway station, which provides services to Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff. Bus networks link Pontypridd with the wider South Wales Valleys.

Pontypridd hosts local markets, community theatres, and events in Ynysangharad Park, reflecting its community-focused cultural life.