Directions to Dowlais Library
Travelling by rail
There are no direct rail links to Dowlais. The nearest station is Merthyr Tydfil. You would need to use a bus or taxi to travel to Dowlais from there.
Travelling by car
Please ask the driver to contact us in advance on 01685 723051 for us to give directions
Travelling by bus
Buses to Dowlais leave from Merthyr Central Bus Station. The current service is provided by bus number 35, currently using Bus Stand 8, but please check on the day of your visit.
You need to alight at the stop near the Dowlais Convenience Shop "Spar" stop. Keep straight ahead avoiding the steps on the right.
(Take care: There is a high kerb up to pavement as you alight from bus).
The Spar shop is actually across the road from the bus stop. Cross the road (there is no pedestrian crossing here) to the same side as the shop. Pass the shop and turn right. Follow the pavement that runs along the back of Menelaus Close until you can walk through an underpass.
(Take care: the pavement borders a car park. There is a large kerb at the end of the car park pavement and steps that go up onto the car park, but there is a ramp just next to them).
The underpass comes out below a retired persons complex. Turn right when you leave the underpass a follow the pavement until you reach the end. At this point you have to cross another, busier, road. There is no pedestrian crossing. Once you do cross, you need to turn left at the junction (near a telephone box) and cross another road. Once you do that, turn left a hill.
You could carry on up that side of the hill and cross higher up, but please note that there is a lamppost almost in the middle of the pavement as you walk up on the left. You must cross to the library before you reach that lamppost.
The library is at the end of that pavement (or the other side of the road if you have come up on the left hand side) on the right. Once you reach the corner of the library you need to walk back down another hill. There is a metal handrail on the wall and you can use that as a guide to the main entrance, although the rail ends at the point when the entrance comes out onto the pavement (it narrow at that that point), but you can find your bearings by using the entrance gate that is normally fastened open when the library is and you can use the gate as another guide.
Watch out for the bottom of the external steps. Once you have found the step you can follow them up into the library. There is a wall-mounted handrail on the right (curved) and a fixed straight handrail on your left (this is actually on the middle of the steps, but we rarely open the left hand side).
At the top on the external stone steps is a shorter set of internal steps (covered in rubber) leading to the main foyer. There is a fixed straight metal handrail on your right as you go up the steps. At the top of the steps there is currently a pair of double doors that swing out. Go through those doors and turn right. Be careful, as there is a step into the lending library. Go through the doors and turn left to go to the main counter (about three steps)
All library users need to visit the counter for attention.
Please note:Areas of interest like the audio sections; counter and computer area will be marked by yellow tape. Braille and audio pads will be placed at key areas
You can use computer facilities if you use a wheelchair as the building operates on four levels, but access to the main lending library currently depends on steps.
There is a lower entrance that the main library entrance (on the same side further down the hill). There is a bell on the pillar to the right of that gate. Please use that to call staff to assist you.
If you can, please contact us to arrange your visit.This libray now closes every Tuesday.