For the best part of a century Merthyr Tydfil was the largest centre of iron production in the world. It wrote itself into history as a place of epoch-making change. At Cyfarthfa Castle, former home of the Crawshay dynasty of ironmasters, plans are afoot to tell the story anew in all its power and variety.

Geraint Talfan Davies here sets out a rich case for the transformation of Cyfarthfa Castle and its 160-acre park into a new national institution and explains why the story’s powerful themes speak to the present and hold lessons for the future
– about the environment, creativity, andsocial renewal.

Geraint Talfan Davies is Chair of the Cyfarthfa Foundation. In a career that has spanned newspapers, broadcasting and public affairs, he was Controller of BBC Wales from 1990-2000. He is a co-founder and past chairman of the Institute of Welsh Affairs.