Aberdare has long been a cultural centre and this tradition continues at the striking Coliseum theatre, where you can enjoy comedy nights, touring plays, music, films and more. The bright lights of Cardiff are just an hour away on the train or 40 minutes by car, and the beaches of Swansea and Gower are less than an hour’s drive to the south west. Back in Aberdare, you can spend hours browsing the shops in the town’s attractive pedestrianised heart, popping into the indoor market for fresh local fish, meat and vegetables and a huge array of other goods, from knitting wool to flowers and from hardware to gifts. The market and the wider town have plenty of places for refreshments: there are cosy cafes, and convivial pubs and restaurants offering everything from Italian food to traditional British fare.