Dare Valley Country Park, Caerphilly Castle, Cwmcarn Forest, Blaenavon World Heritage Visitor Centre, Cyfarthfa Park and Bryngarw Country Park have been named as the first sites It lies near the village of Cwmdare and the town of Aberdare, Cynon Valley, in Rhondda Cynon Taff, South Wales. Clues of the origins are seen in the name Cwmdar, meaning valley of the Dar. This park on the edge of the Brecon Beacons was Wales' first Country Park and was once home to 19 coal mines. A huge pavilion, which was constructed in Mountain Ash in 1906 for the National Eisteddfod (Welsh cultural festival), is the site of … Recreational areas that are protected from development include Brecon Beacons National Park in the north and the Dare Valley Country Park. In a glacial valley feeding into the the Cynon Valley sits Dare Valley Country Park. Other Discovery Gateway improvements to benefit from investment include the development of family accessible bike trails at Dare Valley Country Park, and a new visitor centre at Parc Penallta which will provide a much needed base for a programme of community focussed activities supporting economic and social well-being. Dare Valley Country Park: Country park - See 175 traveller reviews, 120 candid photos, and great deals for Aberdare, UK, at Tripadvisor. Dare Valley Country Park is a public park in Wales. Dare Valley was the first Country Park in Wales and the first in Britain to … Dare Valley Country Park Main article: Dare Valley Country Park In 1970, following the closure of all but one of Cwmdare's deep coal mines, it was decided that the landscape, on the west side of the valley, having been destroyed by the mining industry for more than … Set in 500 acres of outstanding countryside, Dare Valley Country Park was the first country park in England and Wales created from land ravaged by industry. It comprises 500 acres (2.0 km 2) of woodlands, pasture and moorland mountainside. It is maintained by the local Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf. Dare Valley Country Park - The Park was officially opened in December 1973. Overlooked by the village of Cwmdar the park sits in a much changed landscape. Directed by John Gwyn. The scheme involved the leveling of coal tips, the rerouting of the River Dare and the creation of two lakes with a cascade on the Dare down to the lower lake. Aberdare Country Park Old and 'new' land, Cwmdare Country park, 1974 Date: 1974 Picture: 3 Aberdare Country Park Cliff at head of Cwmdare from above Rhondda Fach, 1972 Date: 1972 Picture: 4 Aberdare Country Park Infant River Dare in Cwmdare Country Park, 1973 Date: 1973 Picture: 5 Aberdare Country Park Dippers, herons, cormorants, kingfishers, rare butterflies and lizards can be seen here now. Dare Valley Country Park Main article: Dare Valley Country Park In 1970, following the closure of all but one of Cwmdare's deep coal mines, it was decided that the landscape, on the west side of the valley, having been destroyed by the mining industry for more than … With Iolo Williams. Escape into the beautiful countryside of Dare Valley Country Park and discover one of the best kept secrets in South Wales! Dare Valley Country Park, Cwmdare: History/Archaeology & Landscape; View map; A vector image of star to represent action to save this item Login to save this item ; Download (non-commercial use only) Content can be downloaded for non-commercial purposes, such as … Work began in 1971 to reclaim the derelict land that had been deeply scarred by over a century of mining. Dare Valley Country Park was opened in 1973 and now features a visitor centre, the hotel accommodation, camping and caravanning, walks and a diverse range of flora and fauna. The river rises on the Darren mountain flowing down the valley into the Cynon at Aberdare.