The 'Sultan' sculpture is constructed from 60,000 tonnes of coal spoil, paying tribute to the pit ponies that worked in the local mines.
The park is situated on the site of the former Penallta Colliery, once the largest deep mine in the South Wales coalfield.
The landscape design utilizes the topography of former slag heaps to create natural windbreaks and viewpoints.
The site contains a specific area dedicated to the Welsh artist's vision of 'land art,' integrating sculpture with environmental restoration.
The park provides habitat for the rare Dingy Skipper butterfly and various ground-nesting birds.
The main path network follows the routes once used by colliery trains and heavy machinery.
Parc Penallta is a 180-hectare reclaimed coal spoil site transformed into a landscape park located in the Rhymney Valley. Its most distinctive feature is the Sultan the Pit Pony, a massive 200-meter-long earth sculpture visible from space and surrounding hills. The park provides extensive multi-use trails for walking, cycling, and horse riding, connecting the former Penallta Colliery to the surrounding countryside. Several viewing platforms offer panoramic vistas of the Caerphilly basin and the Bristol Channel on clear days. The site features diverse habitats, including wildflower meadows, wetlands, and woodland areas that support local wildlife. A network of all-weather paths traverses the undulating terrain of the former mining infrastructure. The park serves as a central hub for the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk. It acts as a primary example of post-industrial land reclamation in South Wales.
The raised viewing platform located at the nose of the Sultan earth sculpture for the best perspective of the structure.
Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear as the park features uneven, unpaved terrain that can become muddy.
Bring binoculars if visiting the viewing platforms, as the site offers significant long-distance visibility.
Check the wind conditions before heading to the top of the Sultan sculpture, as the elevated site is fully exposed.
Attempting to traverse the steep grass banks directly instead of using the marked winding paths, which causes erosion.
Keep dogs under close control near livestock and wildlife; follow the Countryside Code by taking all litter home.
