Penydarren Park

Away fans at Penydarren Park are rarely segregated, so supporters can generally move freely around the ground and mix with home fans.

The ground offers a mixture of covered seating and open terracing, with the best atmosphere usually found behind the goals and along the touchline opposite the main stand. The terracing gives a good view of the pitch, while the main stand offers a more traditional football experience.

Because the ground is built on a hillside, there are some elevated viewpoints around the stadium and you can often see across Merthyr Tydfil from inside the ground. Merthyr supporters are known for being welcoming, so away fans can usually expect a relaxed atmosphere.

New Stadium?

There were once plans for Merthyr Town to move to a new 12,000-capacity stadium as part of the proposed ‘Merthyr Village’ development on the edge of town. However, those plans were put in doubt when the Welsh Government rejected the project in 2007.

As a result, Penydarren Park remains the club’s home.

Promotion

The 2024–25 season saw Merthyr Town win the Southern League Premier Division South title after nine years in the division, earning promotion into the National League North.

The Griffin – A highly-rated traditional pub around a mile from the town centre and close to Penydarren Park. It serves drinks and pub food and is popular with both home and away supporters.

Horse & Groom – Located around 1.4 miles from the ground in the Penydarren area, the Horse & Groom is a friendly local pub with a strong reputation.

Penydarren Social Club – Approximately 1.8 miles from the ground, this long-standing social club is another option before the match, although some parts may be members-only.

• Holveys Cafe: Open from 2pm, serving hot food, including the famous cob and chips, and refreshments. 
• Food Kabin: Located at the Theatre Royal end, serving hot food, alcohol and soft drinks.

Merthyr Town FC scran is still the best for £5, sausages , chips and curry in a cob@FootyScran pic.twitter.com/i6gteJ4CjQ

— 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝙏𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 (@away_tours) July 6, 2024

By Car

Supporters travelling from the north should head south on the M6 before joining the M5 and then the M50 westbound, which becomes the A40 at Ross-on-Wye.

At Abergavenny, take the second exit onto the A465, which runs directly into Merthyr Tydfil.

To reach the ground: Leave the A465 for the A4060, then take the third exit onto the A4102 at Mountain Hare. Follow the road before turning left onto The Grove. Continue onto The Walk, where the stadium will appear on your left. Turn left onto Windsor Place for the main approach to Penydarren Park.

Car Parking

Parking is available nearby at:

• Castle Street Multi-Storey Car Park
• College Car Park

Both are around a five-minute walk from the ground.

The club asks supporters to park respectfully in the local area and be considerate of residents.

By Train

Merthyr Tydfil railway station is located just over a mile from Penydarren Park and takes around 15 minutes to walk.

The station is served by trains from Cardiff Central. Buses also run regularly from Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil and stop close to the ground.

Taxis are available from Merthyr Tydfil town centre and from the railway station

The capacity of Merthyr Town FC’s stadium, Penydarren Park, is approximately 4,000 spectators, with 600 covered seats.

Penydarren Park has been associated with Merthyr Town throughout the club’s history. The site itself has a fascinating background.

The area was once used by the Romans as a military encampment and later became part of the Penydarren House estate during the industrial revolution.

By the second half of the nineteenth century, local residents used the site for walks, athletics and team sports. In the 1890s, a cinder running track and cycling track were added, helping transform the area into a sporting venue.

The ground was also used for rugby and even hosted the first touring Australian rugby league side, who played a Wales XIII in front of a crowd of 6,000.

Merthyr Town originally played at Penydarren Park before the old club folded. The modern incarnation of the club returned in July 2011, when Merthyr hosted Llanelli in a pre-season friendly before making the ground its permanent home once again.

Historically, Merthyr Town’s biggest rivals are Gloucester City. The two clubs have met more than 120 times, making it one of the most-played Anglo-Welsh rivalries in football.

In more recent years, Newport County were considered local rivals during the late 1990s and early 2000s, although the clubs have not played regularly for some time.

Following Merthyr’s promotion into the National League North, matches against Hereford have also developed into a rivalry.

General Admission Prices for the 2025/26 season:

Adults – £15
Concessions – £12 (includes seniors, students and EFL club season-ticket holders)
Under-16s – £5 (Proof of age required and is only available on the gate, not online)

The average attendance at Penydarren Park during the current season is around 1,278, nearly four times higher than the previous campaign following Merthyr Town’s promotion.

Merthyr Tydfil offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors and locals alike. 

Here are some highlights to consider when exploring the area:

• Cyfarthfa Castle: A Grade I listed building and the centrepiece of Cyfarthfa Park, featuring formal gardens and a rich history. 
• Penydarren Park: A public green space with open spaces, layered history, and easy access to the surrounding countryside.
• BikePark Wales: The UK’s number one mountain biking destination, offering over 40 trails on an 850-hectare site.
• Brecon Mountain Railway: A scenic railway experience that takes you through the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.