Taff's Well
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Taff's Well Railway Station |
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Taff's Well shown within Rhondda Cynon Taf | |
Population | 3,672 (2011) |
OS grid reference | ST122835 |
Community |
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Principal area | |
Ceremonial county | |
Country | Wales |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | CARDIFF |
Postcode district | CF15 |
Dialling code | 029 |
Police | South Wales |
Fire | South Wales |
Ambulance | Welsh |
EU Parliament | Wales |
UK Parliament | |
Welsh Assembly | |
Taff's Well (Welsh: Ffynnon Taf) is a semi-rural village and community located 6 miles (9.7 km) to the North of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. Known locally as the 'Gates to the Valleys', it is located at the south easterly tip of Rhondda Cynon Taf. It is separated from Gwaelod Y Garth by the River Taff. Taff's Well is distinguished because it contains the only thermal spring in Wales. The tepid water is thought to rise along a fault-line from the Carboniferous Limestone, in somewhat similar manner to the warm springs at Bristol and Bath. It may be regarded as a spiritual site by various religious groups.
The Garth Mountain overlooks the village and was the inspiration for the fictional "Ffynnon Garw", featured in the book, and film The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain.
The name "Taff's Well" is derived from the situation of the village alongside the River Taff and the presence of the warm spring within Taff's Well Park .
Taff's Well Park (Parc Ffynnon Taf) is the site of the Taff's Well Thermal Spring, a well that reached its height of popularity for visitors to the village in the mid to late 1800s. It enjoys temperatures which average 21.6 degrees C. The Well at Taff's Well is Wales' only natural thermal spa..
Taff's Well is situated just off Junction 32 of the M4 Motorway and at the southern end of the A470.
Though administratively represented by Rhondda Cynon Taff Council, Taff's Well is a commuter town for the City of Cardiff where many of its residents work.
Taff's Well grew into an important railway junction during the mid- to late nineteenth century, when Cardiff was a major global exporter of coal.
Taff's Well is a growing community which includes numerous districts: Glan-Y-Llyn, Rhiw Ddar and Glan Y-Frodd; Ty-Rhiw; the old village centre that consists of Alfred's terrace, Anchor Street, Church Street, Garth Street, Yew Street and Ty Rhiw through which the Taff Trail runs. Taff's Well is next to Castell Coch, which overlooks Cardiff.