| 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.
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.
Essential
Tips for Holidays in Wales | Holidays
in Cardiff | Welsh
Food and Drink | Neath
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The
City by The Sea - Swansea |
