The history of the village of Aberdare dates back to at least the Twelfth Century. The modern town of Aberdare developed during th emid Nineteenth Century as a residential and commercial centre for the growing industrial population of the area. This interactive map extract taken from the First Edition of the Ordnance Survey County Series of 1868, evokes the rich heritage of the town.

Aberdare canal

In the early Nineteenth Century the transport needs of local industry were served by the Aberdare Canal. Although the Canal was small by contemporary standards, it played a vital role in the industrial revolution. Along th ebanks of the Canal opened some of the first collieries to mine for coal for the sale coal trade. A trade that dominated south Wales for the next 100 years.

Located just North of Aberdare Town centre, the Gadlys Ironworks were opened in 1827. The Casting House of the works are now home to the Cynon Valley Museum.

Gadlys Colliery

Sunk to provide coal and ironstone for Gadlys Ironworks

E. Thomas & Williams Ltd

Cambrian Mining Safety Lamps

William Haggar

Film maker and pioneer of the early cinema in South Wales.

Aberdare Little Theatre Company

Founed in 1909 from Trecynon Amateur Dramatic Society.