The vital work taking place to save historic Welsh castle

Cyfarthfa Castle is a much-loved and historically important structure which has recently been described as being in a 'significant state of deterioration.' Now, parts of the building are closed over the festive period for restoration work to take place. Anthony Lewis reports

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Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil

CYFARTHFA Castle is one of the jewels in Merthyr Tydfil's crown.

It stands proudly in the county borough's gorgeous Cyfarthfa Park and is one of the Valleys' and south Wales' most treasured assets with an illustrious history but in recent times, the condition of parts of the castle has deteriorated and now work is under way to try to deal with the issues.

Welsh Government through its historic environment service Cadw and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council will each contribute £2.25m to address the deterioration to the oldest part of Cyfarthfa Castle as well as protecting Pont-y-Cafnau bridge, located to the south of the wider Cyfarthfa site reputedly the oldest iron railway bridge in the world.

A council report in February said the castle was in a "significant state of deterioration", adding the condition of the property had continued to deteriorate and was now fast approaching a state of dereliction, raising serious safety concerns and an increasing cost of rehabilitation.

Since a previous council report in July 2023, additional ceilings had collapsed and a tap-test of the ceilings had resulted in certain rooms being isolated from entry.

A condition survey identified the need to protect the building and suggested a scaffold with a roof covering be erected to prevent further water ingress and associated deterioration while giving the building the opportunity to dry out.

It was recognised a drainage solution would be required to allow for the controlled discharge of rainwater from the scaffold.

Plans have been approved to improve the drainage at the park and castle including a new below-ground level drainage network. And, from last month, essential work began to install a brand-new underground drainage system which will run the perimeter of Cyfarthfa Castle, as well as through the park and gardens.