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Birthplace
of the Welsh Rugby Union, home to the fairest Abbey in the country,
Neath is an historic market town, and the nearest major town to
your self catering cottage.
For a history fix visit Neath Abbey,
dating from 1130 and founded by Baron Richard de Granville. The
ruins are lit up at night on the way from the town and are open
to visitors.
Neath
Museum and Art Gallery are in the Gwyn Hall in the town centre.
On the ground floor is archaeology and natural history. Sebastian,
the Roman soldier can tell you about life in a Neath Roman Fort
and you can try grinding corn the stone age way. Upstairs are paintings
and a space where temporary exhibitions are held.
Neatly manicured ornamental trees and colourful flowerbeds surround
the bandstand in Neath’s Victoria Gardens, commemorated Queen
Victoria's diamond jubilee in 1898.
The Gnoll
Estate is close to Neath town centre. It is an early 18th century
landscaped garden and offers great fun and relaxation. Take a stroll
around the lakes or amuse the children in the play area and adventure
playground.
For food, find the best faggots and peas in Neath’s
indoor market – the little meat parcels of liver are flavoured
with sage and onion.
Close by to Neath town is the Margam
Stones Museum, which has a collection of inscribed pre-Romanesque,
Roman and Celtic stones and crosses. The thousand acres of Margam
Park offer an18th Century Orangery, a Tudor-Gothic style Victorian
mansion, a 12th Century Chapter House. Also with an unique fuschia
collection and newly restored historic castle gardens and monastic
gardens. The park features walks, a narrow gauge railway and for
children there is an adventure playground, farm trail, pets corner,
and Fairytale Land. There is also fishing and the best collection
of deer in Wales. The visitor centre at the castle courtyard is
the starting point for parkland walks.
Do you want to be the next Indiana Jones? You
can be at the Aquadome,
Wales' most exciting leisure theme pool at Aberavon Seafront, Port
Talbot. Swim beneath a giant spaceship which dominates the pool
hall, discover the ancient Inca temple, shoot down a water slide,
or take a river ride. Leap like a frog from on lily pads, or relax
on a lounger. There is a wave machine, space whirl, towering falls,
sound effects and bars and restaurants. The adventure pool is a
short drive from Neath.
Your cottage is in the Vale of Neath, on the doorstep of nine mini
Niagras which make up ‘Waterfall
Country.’ The well-hidden waterfalls have been inspirational
to many artists including Turner, who painted Aberdulais Falls,
now owned by the National Trust.
If the Vale of Neath is all waterfalls, then
Afan Argoed Country Park is
all mountains. Known as "Little Switzerland" the Afan
Valley slopes rise over a thousand feet and have marked footpaths,
nature trails and some of Britain's best mountain biking. Also an
excellent place for orienteering and walking, there are nine marked
walks. The bike trails are not all for experienced mountain bikers.
There are also several paths with easy gradients and good surfaces
for families. |
