Merthyr Tydfil is located in the heart of South East Wales at the head of the Taff Vale - the natural gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park, an area renowned for its outstanding natural beauty.
The town takes its name from Tydfil, a Welsh Christian princess martyred by pagan invaders; St. Tydfil, the martyr, gave her name to the settlement of Merthyr Tydfil.
In the early part of the last century, Merthyr Tydfil grew into the largest town in Wales. People moved into it from far and wide to work in the great iron works. Thus Dowlais iron works grew into the largest industry of its kind and Merthyr became known as the iron capital of the world. This is the home of the Dowlais Male Choir.
Merthyr and Dowlais together became boom towns. Hovels were thrown up, almost overnight, to house immigrant workers, while the ironmasters built their castles and magnificent stables for their horses. A canal was constructed to join the town to the sea at Cardiff to transport the area's iron and coal for export.
It was here, too, that Richard Trevithick built the first locomotive. In its wake Merthyr became linked to Cardiff by rail, following a similar route to the canal. Parts of the canal can still be seen to this day.
Several memorials to this epic era remain in the borough: Cyfarthfa Castle, formerly the home of the Crawshay family of ironmasters, is now the thriving borough museum.
The facade of the Dowlais Stables, where the Guest Ironmasters kept their horses, has now become a very attractive residential development.
Ynysfach Engine House has been restored to its former glory, and is well worth a visit.
Joseph Parry's Cottage, birthplace of the famous composer, much of whose music is in the repertoire of the Choir