Merthyr Tydfil Town Hall – a red-brick civic landmark in a Welsh coal town

Merthyr Tydfil Town Hall is a municipal building on High Street in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. It served as the headquarters of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and is a Grade II* listed building, a status reserved for particularly important structures in Britain.

Why was a town hall built in Merthyr Tydfil?

The town grew rapidly on the back of coal mining, and its swelling population demanded modern administration. The local board of health was formed in 1850 and first worked from offices at 71 High Street. A new town hall was proposed in 1869, but the board concluded it could not afford one at the time. That changed after 1894, when the area became an urban district. The new civic leaders revived the idea and chose a site at the corner of High Street and New Castle Street.

Who designed and built it?

The foundation stone was laid in May 1896 and the building was completed in 1898. It was designed by E. A. Johnson of Abergavenny and Merthyr and built by Harry Gibbon. The walls are red Cattybrook brick, set off with orange terracotta dressings.

What does it look like?

The style is Renaissance, often described as Jacobethan. The High Street frontage has seven bays. The warm red and orange palette sets the hall apart from its surroundings and makes it easy to spot as you walk through the town centre.

The town hall in political history

Election results were announced from the building's steps and balcony. Tradition holds that Keir Hardie's 1900 victory as Merthyr's MP was declared from here, which makes it a symbolic stop for anyone interested in the history of the labour movement.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Merthyr Tydfil Town Hall? On High Street in the centre of Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, at the corner with New Castle Street.

When was it built? The foundation stone was laid in May 1896 and construction finished in 1898.

Who was the architect? E. A. Johnson of Abergavenny and Merthyr.

Is it a listed building? Yes, it is listed Grade II*.

What is it made of? Red Cattybrook brick with orange terracotta dressings.

What else is worth seeing nearby? View the hall from High Street and look closely at the seven-bay frontage, the steps and the balcony used for announcing election results. Other listed civic buildings stand nearby, so a short walk around the centre lets you compare their architecture.