CYNON Valley Museum has been named one of the top 10 experiences of the South Wales Valleys.

At the end of 2010, Rough Guide author Mike Parker teamed up with The Valleys Heart and Soul to compile a list of his Top 50 Valleys Essentials, an eclectic mix of must-see heritage attractions, unmissable eateries and events and scenic walks across the Valleys.

Since then, more than 4,500 people from south Wales have voted for their favourites from Parker’s list, and nominated their own hidden gems, to determine a ranked list, dubbed the Top 10 Valleys Essentials.

Cynon Valley Museum was ranked 10th on the list, while Penderyn Distillery, which featured on the Top 50 list, missed out.

Councillor Robert Bevan, cabinet member for culture, recreation and tourism at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “We are so very proud that Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery has secured a deserved space in the Top 10 Valleys Essentials.

“We have always known it as a treasure of the county borough, where visitors can travel through hundreds of years of history while also looking to the future with exhibitions from some of the finest contemporary artists – now the people have voted and agreed with us that it should be a top attraction spot not only for Rhondda Cynon Taf, but for Wales and beyond.

“This is yet another opportunity for the spotlight to be shone on Rhondda Cynon Taf and all that it has to offer.”

An iPhone app has been developed by The Valleys Heart and Soul to help visitors explore the Valleys and find out more about its ranked Top 50 Essentials.

A selection of the Top 50 Valleys Essentials will also be featured in an advertising campaign.

Mike Parker, who is co-author on all five guides to Wales, said: “There is nowhere quite like the Valleys, and certainly nowhere else where you will receive such a warm welcome. It truly is a rewarding, and unique, place to visit.”

Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many local people get behind the places they think make the Valleys so unique. This campaign has already captured the imagination of local people and we hope it does the same with visitors to the area.”

To view the ranked Top 50 Valleys Essentials list in full, visit www.thevalleys.co.uk/ top50. Visit itunes.apple.com to download for free The Valleys Top 50 Guide iPhone app.