Pontypridd is a major town in Rhondda Cynon Taf, situated at the meeting point of the Taff and Rhondda rivers.

Pontypridd lies in South Wales, roughly ten miles north-west of Cardiff, positioned where the River Rhondda joins the River Taff at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. The town sits within the Rhondda Cynon Taf county borough, and is surrounded by steep valley landscapes that historically supported coal transport and industry. It is bordered or closely linked with localities such as Treforest, Cilfynydd, Glyncoch, Graig, Hawthorn, Rhydyfelin, and Trallwng, which form its wider community wards.

The town lies along the A470, the main north-south route between Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil, with additional connections within the A4054 and A4058 into the Rhondda Valley.

The name Pontypridd derives from Pont‑y‑tŷ‑pridd, meaning "bridge by the earthen house," a reference to early wooden bridges and a mud-brick dwelling that once stood at the crossing of the River Taff. The town was historically known as Newbridge until the mid-19th-century, when the present name was adopted.

Before industrialisation, Pontypridd was a rural area of scattered farms. Its transformation began with the rise of the coal and iron industries, as its location at the junction of three valleys made it a vital transport hub. Coal from the Rhondda and iron from Merthyr Tydfil were moved through Pontypridd via the Glamorganshire Canal and later the Taff Vale Railway, connecting to ports at Cardiff, Barry, and Newport.

The town's most famous structure, the Old Bridge, was built in 1756 by stonemason William Edwards. At the time, its 140-foot single-span arch was the longest of its kind in the world. Its distinctive circular openings reduced weight and contributed to its engineering significance.

By the late 19th century, Pontypridd had become a bustling industrial centre, so lively it was once nicknamed the "Wild West," with deep coal mines, levels, and trial shafts surrounding the town.

Historically, Pontypridd's economy revolved around coal mining, iron transport, and chain-making. These industries declined sharply in the 20th century, but the town adapted. Today, Pontypridd serves as a commercial centre for the surrounding valleys and hosts a range of light engineering and manufacturing businesses, particularly around the Treforest Industrial Estate.

Tourism has also grown, supported by the area's industrial heritage, scenic valleys, and proximity to Cardiff and the Brecon Beacons.

Notable places of interest in Pontypridd include The Old Bridge, the town's emblem and a landmark of 18th-century engineering; Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, a riverside park at the confluence of the Taff and Rhondda, home to memorials and recreational facilities; Pontypridd Museum, which chronicles the town's industrial and cultural history; Treforest, historically significant as an early settlement and now home to parts of the University of South Wales; and the surrounding valleys. The Rhondda Fach and Rhondda Fawr valleys begin at Pontypridd and offer walking routes, reclaimed landscapes, and reminders of the area's coal era.

Businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, museums, libraries, entertainment venues, art galleries, events, recreational and sporting opportunities, and organisations in Pontypridd are appropriate resources for this category.

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