Time to discover Neath Port Talbot

Rich in dustrial heritage combined with historic country parks,cycle pathsand mountain bike trails,and great family entertainment. Neath Port Talbot has it all and thisis why over a million visitors return eachyear. It’s nowtime for you to discover Neath Port Talbot.

AFAN Forest Park is an ideal family destination and here iswhy. Therearetwogreat places to startyouradventure—GlyncorrwgMountain
Bike Centre, or Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre. Both provide direct access to safe family cycle paths or to some of the finest single-track mountain bike
trails in theworld. Picnic spots, Japanese Garden and a variety of events
will help you fill your day.

Margam Park will again be the destination for more great family days
out. You can see the deer as you walk, cycle, or ride Monty the Margam Park
train through some of the 850 glorious acres of parkland with MargamCastle at its heart.

“Waterfall Country” in the Vale on Neath is appropriately named where three river valleys are the backdrop to a magnificent waterfall system
offering spectacular walks and inspiration for both photographers and artists. Some of the walksrequirepropercareandpreparationand
you should check with staff at Aberdulais Tourist Information Centre before setting out. The truly impressive Melincourt Falls near Resolven is more accessible and well worth a visit. At Pontardawe, the Glanrhyd Plantation and CwmDu Glen or “Lost Valley” has spectacular walks along wooded
hillsides. There, the rapid Upper Clydach River once provided the power to
drive the wheels of the tinplate industry.

With other countryside attractions at Pant-y-Sais Fen, Craig Gwladys, and the beautiful and historic garden at the Gnoll Estate, be sure to pack a
picnic and enjoy the great outdoors, in the peace and quiet of the countryside.
While travelling around Neath Port Talbot you will be sure to spot the
landmarks of its great industrial past. The National Trust owns the
Aberdulais Falls site and the attraction is brought to life with Europe’s largest electricity - generating water wheel. The site has also been the subject for many artists. Most famously J M Turner was inspired by the Waterfall in 1795.
This site is also home to a brand new Visitor and Tourist Information Centre.

Across the road from Aberdulais Falls is Aberdulais basin, a strategic crossing point during the Industrial Revolution when the canal was used for the transportation of thousands of tonnes of stock. Neath canal can be enjoyed by many who want to navigate this romantic example of ingenuity,
made famous by the late Alexander Cordell, whose novel ‘Song
of the Earth’ portrayed life in the Vale of Neath during the peak
of the Industrial Revolution.

Head south along the towpath and the Tennant section of the
Canal and you will see the “Fairest Abbey in all Wales”. This was how Tudor historian John Leland described Neath Abbey. Founded in 1130, the Abbey
has enjoyed varying fortunes, even serving as an early copper works after the Dissolution. Continue south and you arrive at Pant-y-Sais Fen, with its boardwalks across the Fen.

If it’s further glimpses of life in the past you are looking for then the County
Borough has three very different types of museum. Neath museum,
c u r r e n t l y situated at Neath Leisure Centre until a newhome is provided,
looks at th e rema r k a b l e history of the area including the Roman occupation and the illustrious industrial heritage.

Withmining playing suchaprominent part of the area’s history, Cefn Coed
Colliery Museum, in the Dulais Valley, houses a magnificent steam winding
engine, simulated gallery and a fascinating display of mining tools
and equipment.

The Margam Stones Museum houses an impressive collection of inscribed
pre-Romanesque, Roman and Celtic Stones. The Museum is located near Margam Abbey, which was founded in 1147. It is the only Cistercian
Foundation in Wales whose nave is still intact and used for worship.

Aberavon Seafront is fast becoming the destination for a great family day out.
On a hot day the safe sandy beach is a haven for hundreds of people enjoying either swimming in the sea or the aquasplash play pool, which is conveniently located on the promenade and a great drawfor the kids. And this year the Beach has been awarded the coveted Blue Flag after its sea quality and seafront facilities were approved.

Each August a very successful and hugely popular beach festival
takes centre stage at the seafront. Just across the road from the beach is the Aquadome, one of the area’s largest and most popular indoor pool. Slides, wave machines, lily ponds and all-round thrills are packed into this
pool, which is a ‘must visit’ attraction in any weather. Next door
is the Apollo cinema with ample free parking. Aberavon Seafront
is also the location for a brand new Family Entertainment and Bowling
Centre, which will open later this year.

If it’s a small-scale performance, production or pantomime you are looking for, then there are plenty of venues across the County Borough. The Afan Forest Park100 seatAmphitheatre hosts local performances, choirs and concerts with the Afan Forest acting as the perfect backdrop. Other venues include the Afan Lido and Princess Royal Theatre in Port Talbot.

The Pontardawe Arts Centre is a vibrant arts venue with a varied and extensive live programme throughout the year. In August the town is packed with visitors from all over the world when the Pontardawe Arts Festival rolls into the town.

To help make your visit to Neath Port Talbot an enjoyable one, visit the Tourist
Information Centre at Aberdulais Falls. Friendly staff are on hand for advice
and information on everything you need - from opening times and prices, walks and cycle trails, to castles and carnivals and pools and pop concerts. The centre also stocks an excellent range of gifts and souvenirs.

Aberdulais Falls Tourist Information Centre, Tel. (01639) 636674