Aberfan Memorial Garden, Merthyr Tydfil
Details
Accessibility
Halo Aberfan Community Leisure Centre (for toilets)
Aberfan
Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 4Q
Brief description
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2407zy9zxo
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4glr4670n9o
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberfan#Aberfan_memorials
2026: " Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited Aberfan on 29 October 1966.[6]
After the disaster, the mayor of Merthyr immediately launched a disaster fund to aid the village and the bereaved. By the time the fund closed in January 1967, nearly 90,000 contributions had been received, totalling £1,606,929. The fund's final sum was approximately £1,750,000 (equivalent to £28 million in 2025[7]). The concerns of the village and donors grew about how the money in the fund would be used: some felt it should be used to compensate the bereaved, whilst others felt it should benefit the wider community. The funds paid for the memorial garden and cemetery along with other facilities to aid the regeneration of Aberfan both physically and emotionally.[8]
The Aberfan Cemetery is where many of the victims are buried. The original Portland and Aurisina limestone memorials erected shortly after the disaster began to deteriorate, and in 2007 the Aberfan Memorial Charity refurbished the garden area, including all of the archways and memorials. The weathered masonry was replaced with polished pearl white granite, all inscriptions were re-engraved and additional archways were erected.[9] In 2022 the cemetery, together with the memorial garden and the area of the tip and its slide path, were listed on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales. The record of the Grade II* listed site describes it as being "of great national importance and meaning."[10]
The Coventry Playground was built in 1972 on the site of the old Merthyr Vale School, with money collected by the people of Coventry. The playground was officially opened by the mayor of Coventry.[11]
A memorial garden was opened on the site of Pantglas Primary School, which was destroyed during the disaster. The park was partly opened by the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, on her visit to Aberfan in 1974.[citation needed]
The Aberfan Memorial Charity was founded in 1989 and is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the cemetery and memorial garden.[12] "
Address
Garden of Remembrance, 13 Moy Road, Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 4QR
Phone
Website
https://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/411051/details/garden-of-remembrance-moy-road-aberfan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberfan
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn04k99z5g9o
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj3pn122xzdo
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyp3kmjy3no
Directions
Street-side parking by entrance.
Opening Times
Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change
Transport
Amenities
Taff Trail
Aberfan
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 4QP
+ Halo Aberfan Community Leisure Centre (for toilets)
Aberfan
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 4QE
Travel Information
For further travel information in Wales please see: www.traveline.cymru/travel-info
Or call Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000
Location
Nearest Venues
148 metres*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.