THE Rhondda Heritage Park at the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Trehafod, is one of the top heritage and cultural visitor attractions in South Wales.

Owned and funded by Rhondda Cynon Taff council, work began to transform the former colliery into a tourist attraction in 1987.

Millions of pounds were invested into the site to provide a fun family day out. The Visitor Centre, opened in 1989 in the old stores building of the Lewis Merthyr colliery, is home to the temporary exhibition galleries, gift shop and restaurant. It was only introduced to provide a taste of things to come for the local and regional communities, but as more than 50% of its visitors came from outside Wales, became a permanent feature at the park.

In 1994 the centre was extended, and now includes an indoor village street, artefact exhibition galleries, the temporary exhibition gallery, restaurant and gift shop. 'Black Gold - the Story of Coal' - which uses state of the art audio-visual and exhibition techniques to tell the story of people who lived and worked in the Rhondda - is run from the refurbished and restored pithead buildings, and to keep the youngsters entertained in the fresh air, there's an action-packed play area where the emphasis is on having fun and learning.

You can also take part in an underground tour, A Shift in Time, which includes a cage ride to 'Pit Bottom', guided tour through the underground roadways of the Lewis Merthyr colliery pre-mechanisation and the working coalface.

To complete the underground tour there is an exciting finale - a mysterious and unforgettable route back to the surface.

Opening times: Open daily 10am-6pm (last tour 4.30pm). Closed from Dec 25 to Jan 2 inclusive, also Mondays Oct-Easter. Telephone 01443 682036 or visit the park's website: www.rhonddaheritagepark.com Alison Gow