Arriving at the Maes and parking
Travelling by car to the Eisteddfod? Pontypridd is a busy town at best, and traffic can be a problem on a normal day. We want to ensure that we don't add to the problem, and that our visitors don’t have problems getting to the Maes on time.
Make sure you follow our yellow 'Eisteddfod' signs to get to the car park. The signs are here to help, following extensive discussions with the local council and emergency services, and our transport plan has been created to help us to help you to arrive easily and safely. Follow the signs, not your satnav in the car.
This year, we’re offering a free park and ride service. Traffic from the north will park in Abercynon and traffic from the south will park in Hawthorn, with regular shuttle buses taking everyone to the centre of Pontypridd.
Click here for more information on travelling to the Maes.
Parking
If you have a blue badge, follow the signs to the blue badge car park.
Limited parking for disabled visitors is available at St Catherine's Street car park in central Pontypridd (postcode CF37 2TB). This car park is managed by the Eisteddfod during the week, to make sure that only visitors with a blue badge can park there. We’ll have a member of the team on the gate throughout the week to help with any enquiries.
Coming to Pontypridd by train
The south east Wales metro service is now running in the area, so there are many more trains running through the Valleys. Transport for Wales will also provide additional trains during the week to travel from Cardiff through the Valleys and back until events finish on the Maes each evening.
With the train station just minutes from the Maes on Parc Ynysangharad, it’s an excellent option for anyone staying outside the area, and a great opportunity to leave the car at home and enjoy a night out on the Maes. Click here to use the Transport for Wales website to plan your journey.
Support for disabled visitors travelling by train
Transport for Wales offers several types of assistance to help visitors who want to use the train from any part of Wales. The Passenger Assist service is available to passengers who require additional assistance. Click here for more information and to book travel assistance.
Scooters and wheelchairs for hire
We’re working with Byw Bywyd once again this year, and their stand is located close to the Accessibility Hub and is well sign-posted. The Llecyn Llonydd and the Accessibility Hub, where our Accessibility Officer, Oliver Griffith-Salter will be located near to the Pentref Dysgu Cymraeg (Welsh Learners’ Village) on the main path from the main entrance.
A limited number of scooters and wheelchairs are available to hire on the day, and we strongly recommend you contact the company in advance for a chat, 01286 830 101.
If you’re planning to hire a scooter for the first time, give Byw Bywyd a ring for advice and a chat – and remember – if you’re not experienced, do please choose the slower speed on your scooter when exploring the Maes.
Please remember to be considerate of other visitors when using a scooter around the Maes.
The Byw Bywyd stand is open from 09:00 - 18:00 every day. It will be possible to keep the scooter until the Maes closes and Byw Bywyd will provide information about where to leave the scooter when leaving the Maes to everyone who hires a scooter
Visitors can charge their scooter at the stand, even if they have not hired the scooter from Byw Bywyd.
Tickets
You can buy tickets at the main entrance in Pontypridd Library or online before arrival. Click here to buy tickets online.
There are some low windows, suitable for wheelchair users. There’s also a "loop" system here to help you when buying tickets.
Free tickets are available for personal assistants. If you have an assistant or if you’re coming with a visitor who needs additional support, remember to bring evidence with you to the Maes for your free ticket. We accept the following:
- Front Page Disability Living Allowance / Personal Independence Payment (no fixed rate)
- Front page of Attendance Allowance letter (no fixed rate)
- Evidence of being registered as severely visually impaired (blind)
- Recognised ID Card for Assistance Dogs
- CredAbility Access Card
The Pavilion
Many of our competitions and ceremonies are held in the Pavilion. There’ll be stewards on the Pavilion doors at all times, and you can ask for help or advice when you arrive at the building.
We’ve got a designated area for visitors using wheelchairs or scooters in the Pavilion, and there are seats nearby for personal assistants.
Please get in touch with us to book a space here, by emailing the ticket office We kindly ask anyone who wishes to secure a place in this area to get in touch in advance, and this can be done by emailing the Box Office here or by calling the ticket line on 0845 4090 800. Please note that this is a premium price number.
Hwb Hygyrchedd (Accessibility Hub)
The Accessibility Hub is located near the Pentref Dysgu Cymraeg (Welsh Leaners’ Village) on the main Maes path, with the Llecyn Llonydd. Call in to meet our Accessibility Officer, Oliver Griffith-Salter if you need advice or help. If you would like to chat with Oliver before arriving, email him here.
Hwb Gwybodaeth (Information Hub)
Information will also be available in our Information Hub close to the Pentref Dysgu Cymraeg (Welsh Learners’ Village). The customer care team will be available to answer questions about accessibility, and they may contact the Accessibility Officer for more information.
Our stewards will also be able to help you with any simple accessibility queries. But remember that the Accessibility Hub is the best place to go for advice or help.
BSL Interpreter
This year, we’re offering a BSL Interpreter service on the Maes every day from 11:00 - 14:00 and from 15:00 - 18:00. You can chat with the interpreter in the Accessibility Hub during the day. If you’d like to book an interpreter for any session, please let us know in advance by email.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are very welcome in all parts of the Maes including the Pavilion, but let the stewards at the door know if you want to bring your dog into the building so they can help you to a suitable seat with enough space for you and your dog.
We've created a small area for your dog to rest and a drink next to the Accessibility Hub.
Llecyn Llonydd
Y Llecyn Llonydd is located next to the Accessibility Hub. It’s a quiet place to relax for a bit away from the hustle and bustle of the Maes. The Llecyn Llonydd is open from 09:00 - 18:00.
Strobe Lights
There may be use of flashing lights in some shows in our buildings or on our stages during the week.
Ynys glyd
New for this year: we’ve developed an inclusive area for families in the Pentref Plant (Children's Village). The ynys glyd offers children with additional needs a quiet space so that they can feel part of the Eisteddfod, without too much noise and bustle around them. The Pentref Plant (Children's Village) is close to the Accessibility Hub and the Pentref Dysgu Cymraeg (Welsh Learners’ Village).
Toilets
There’s a toilet for disabled visitors in every block of toilets on the Maes, and a ramp has been installed there. Toilets for disabled visitors are clearly marked on the map.
We have a high dependency toilet on the Maes and this can be accessed with a RADAR key. Keys are available in the Hwb Gwybodaeth (Information Booth), in the ticket office, office behind the Pavilion, the Accessibility Hub, or you can email Oliver our Accessibility Officer here.
Disabled toilets are available on the Maes, on the maes carafanau and in Maes B, and showers are available on the maes carafanau and in Maes B.
Water Points
Water points are available all over the Maes, and are clearly marked on the site map. These are set at a lower level to help visitors in wheelchairs and scooters.
We want to encourage visitors to bring reusable water bottles to the Maes, and fill them up regularly while exploring. There are no plastic water bottles for sale on the Maes this year.
Additional Support
Stewards are in each of our buildings and roam the Maes during opening hours. They are easy to recognise and wear high visibility jackets.
If you have a question or want help or advice, please ask. They’ll be able to help you or call our Accessibility Officer to come and help or offer advice, and they’ll also be able to guide you to a suitable space to watch a performance in our venues.
Let us know
If you find a problem or if you have a problem, please tell us at the time. We can and will help – we won’t be able to change anything once the festival is finished.
Come along to the Accessibility Hub for a chat with Oliver or to the Eisteddfod office behind the Pafiliwn to talk to us at the time, so that we can do our best to solve the problem straight away. Email Oliver directly by clicking here.
The Eisteddfod is an inclusive festival that respects and celebrates diversity in all our activities.
We treat everyone with respect and courtesy, and are keen to ensure that no one faces prejudice based on disability, background, belief, religion, race, age, sex, gender or sexuality during your visit to the festival.
Accessibility on the Maes
The Maes Eisteddfod Rhondda Cynon Taf is located in a public park, and there are dedicated paths around most of the Maes. Where there are no paths, we’ve created accessible routes for wandering from place to place.
We want to make it possible for everyone to go to all parts of the Maes. You should take special care if you decide to deviate from the official routes, especially if you use a wheelchair or scooter.
We provide a ramp to all buildings if there is no natural accessible access. If you find a problem, please contact our Accessibility Officer by clicking here to send an email or by going over to the Accessibility Hub or the Eisteddfod office behind the Pavilion immediately.
If you find it difficult to navigate the Maes, contact one of the stewarding supervisors, who wear red or orange high visibility jackets.
There’ll be a viewing platform in front of the Maes stage and in Maes B for up to four wheelchairs at a time. The steward on duty will be able to help you with any questions.
Sessions in town
Some sessions are held in the town. The Muni is a fully accessible building with wheelchair access across the building, and there is wheelchair access, along with an accessible lift at YMa as well.
Maes carafanau
More information for disabled visitors staying on our caravan site here. Click on the form at the bottom of the page to sign up for additional support and assistance.