Caerau (English: Forts) is a former mining village in south Wales, located around 2 miles to the north of Maesteg in the Llynfi Valley, and is part of Bridgend County Borough. The township grew rapidly after the opening of Caerau Colliery in 1890. The colliery consisted of three shafts (North, South and No. 3 Pits) and employed 2,400 men at its peak in the early 1920s. The mine closed in 1977.
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Caerau once had 6 churches, although many of these fine buildings are in a state of disrepair, "Caerau Church" is still in use today. Caerau also used to have two cinemas called the "Coliseum", which was demolished in the 1970s and the "Cosy". There are many Public houses and Hotels around Caerau, The most popular being the "Blaenllynfi Hotel(Blan)", "Navigation" and "Station Hotel" there are also smaller establishments like the "British Legion". Caerau has a Nursery and Primary School. There is also a Clubhouse for the Bowling Green at Caerau Park.
Caerau has primary and nursery schools within the village. The old Caerau primary was over 100 years old when it was closed, and was destroyed by arson while the brand new Caerau Primary was being built. The new Caerau Primary School is a state-of-the-art "Eco Building" constructed from eco-friendly materials, there is also a complex ultra high efficiency heating system within the building.
There was a hotel In the outskirts of Caerau called "The Blaencaerau Hotel" the building was renovated in the 1980s and renamed "The Monkey Inn". The hotel was destroyed by arson soon after closure in 1990.
It is on the A4063 road between Croeserw and Maesteg.
The village has a regular bus link to connect with the Maesteg Railway at Maesteg railway station; the village used to have its own railway station.
Caerau FC football club play in the 1st division of the South Wales Amateur League (as of 2008-09). They play at the Athletic Ground at Humphreys Terrace, which is a little south of the village centre.
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