"Hafod" is a Welsh word literally meaning "summer dwelling", and refers to an upland farm (from the practice of taking cattle up the hillside from the valley floor to graze in the summer months) (haf = summer, bod = dwelling, with soft mutation of [b] to [v] of the second element (bod) after a noun used as an adjective equivalent in attributive position (haf)).

Barry Sidings is a popular destination for local families and dog walkers; its features include nature paths, a small waterfall, ducks, carp, frogs, and a café.

Largely situated in Trehafod, the park feeds into Pontypridd and is frequented by walkers heading there.

The village has frequently suffered flooding from the river, the most serious of which claimed the life of an Afon Street resident in 1960.

A major river improvement scheme was completed in 1985, but the village has still suffered significant flooding since, including in February 2020.