Well situated for both Cardiff and the Brecon Beacons, Merthyr Tydfil is a historically significant and beautiful part of Wales. With a fifth of the County Borough actually lying within Brecon Beacons National Park, the county has some areas of unrivalled beauty and many opportunities for outdoor recreation, but within an easy journey of the Welsh capital. Merthyr has a long heritage as one of the seats of the industrial revolution, but the coal, steel, and ironworks industries have largely closed down. Many local historical and heritage societies have preserved this history, along with the much more ancient heritage of the area. Today, the Brecon Mountain Railway along with the national park and the area’s history have made tourism a big part of the local economy. With good and improving trains and roads, the town area is increasingly a commuter location with the associated growth.