Cyfartha Castle 100618_10
Cyfartha Castle, Merthyr Tydfil on 10 June 2018. A replica of the Trevithick locomotive that in 1804 proved the practicality of the steam railway by hauling a 10 ton load on the nearby Merthyr or Penydarren Tramroad that had opened two years earlier.
Cyfarthfa Castle is a castellated mansion that was built for the Crawshay family, ironmasters in Merthyr Tydfil. Designed in 1824, completed the following year and built of locally quarried stone, it has 15 towers and had 72 rooms, although some of these were later knocked together to give bigger areas. Although trees now obscure the one-time openness of the valley, there are still superb views to the south and west.
The house is surrounded by grounds that extend to 64 hectare / 158 acre of parkland, including a substantial lake.
The Crawshays lived here until the death of Robert Thompson Crawshay in 1889, after which his widow moved away, although remaining owner until her death in 1907. The following year the house and grounds were sold to the council, who created a museum that remains open to the public. Much of the rest became a school in 1913, going through several changes before all had relocated by 1981.
Cyfartha Castle 100618_10
Cyfartha Castle, Merthyr Tydfil on 10 June 2018. A replica of the Trevithick locomotive that in 1804 proved the practicality of the steam railway by hauling a 10 ton load on the nearby Merthyr or Penydarren Tramroad that had opened two years earlier.
Cyfarthfa Castle is a castellated mansion that was built for the Crawshay family, ironmasters in Merthyr Tydfil. Designed in 1824, completed the following year and built of locally quarried stone, it has 15 towers and had 72 rooms, although some of these were later knocked together to give bigger areas. Although trees now obscure the one-time openness of the valley, there are still superb views to the south and west.
The house is surrounded by grounds that extend to 64 hectare / 158 acre of parkland, including a substantial lake.
The Crawshays lived here until the death of Robert Thompson Crawshay in 1889, after which his widow moved away, although remaining owner until her death in 1907. The following year the house and grounds were sold to the council, who created a museum that remains open to the public. Much of the rest became a school in 1913, going through several changes before all had relocated by 1981.