Ynyshir

Ynyshir is a village and community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, situated on the northern side of the Rhondda Valley. The name derives from the Welsh words yn y hir, meaning “in the long place,” reflecting its elongated village layout along the valley floor. Historically, Ynyshir developed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a typical coal mining settlement, with the Ynyshir Colliery operating from the 1870s until its closure in 1986. The industrial past is still evident in the village’s architecture and community institutions, including the preserved miners’ institutes and the now-demolished colliery itself.

The population of the community was recorded at 1,463 in the 2011 census. Modern Ynyshir retains a strong community spirit, centred around local schools, a primary education institution, and several recreational facilities, including the park and the community centre that hosts events and volunteer activities. The village offers a mix of residential housing, local shops, and small businesses serving residents and neighbouring areas.

Transport links include the adjacent M4 motorway to the west, providing access to Cardiff and the South Wales coast, and the South Wales Metro rail service which operates along the Rhondda Line, with Ynyshir station linking the village to larger commercial hubs. Public bus routes connect Ynyshir internally and with nearby towns such as Aberdare and Mountain Ash. The local landscape features green valleys and proximity to the historic Coleg Nanhoron, a notable boarding house in the area.

Today, Ynyshir remains a representative example of a North Wales valley community, balancing its industrial heritage with contemporary rural living and community initiatives.