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NPT History

Historic sites

National Trust Aberdulais Falls

The industrial heritage of this area goes back to 1584, when copper was first manufactured. Iron smelting and corn milling followed, with a tin plate works being built around 1830. As well as powering industries for over 400 years, this magnificent waterfall inspired artist J M W Turner in 1795. Today, the site houses Europe’s largest electricity-generating water wheel.

Neath and Tennant canals

There are two sections of the canal for visitors to enjoy. Experience working lock gates, tree-lined routes and a quaint coffee shop as you navigate this romantic example of industrial revolution ingenuity, made famous by the novelist Alexander Cordell in his book ‘Song of the Earth’.

Neath Abbey

Founded in 1130 by the Norman Baron, Richard de Granville and described as the 'Fairest Abbey in all Wales' by Tudor Historian John Leland.

Local history groups

The Borough of Neath and Port Talbot has a number of voluntary History and Heritage organisations which work enthusiastically to preserve, research and make available the rich heritage of the area. Below is a list of groups, including contact numbers.

If you know of any other groups in the heritage field which are not listed below please let us know by ringing the Heritage Officer at Neath Reference Library.

Society Website
Amman Valley Railway Society www.avrail.org
Brunel Dock Society

www.brunelquays.co.uk

Cwm Dulais Historical Society http://cwmdulais.org.uk/wordpress/
Dyffryn Clydach and Bryncoch Historical Society www.spanglefish.com/dyffrynclydachandbryncochhistoricalsociety
Friends of Aberdulais Falls

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/friends-of-aberdulais-falls

Friends of Cefn Coed  
Friends of Margam Park

www.friendsofmargampark.co.uk

Friends of Neath Abbey Iron Company

www.facebook.com/FriendsofNeathAbbeyIronCompany

Friends of Talbot Memorial Park

www.facebook.com/talbotmemorialpark

Glynneath and Cwmgwrach Historical Society

 

The Historical Association, Swansea Branch

 www.haswansea.org.uk

The Neath Antiquarian Society

www.neathantiquariansociety.co.uk

Neath Railway History Society & GWR Retired Railwaymen  
Neath & Tennant Canal Trust www.neath-tennant-canals.org.uk
Pontardawe Heritage Centre

www.facebook.com/pontardaweheritagecentre

Port Talbot Historical Society

http://www.historicalporttalbot.com

Resolven History Society http://eclecs.blogspot.com/
Skewen & District Industrial Heritage Association  
Skewen Historical Society www.skewenhistoricalsociety.org.uk
SouthWales Miners Museum

www.facebook.com/SWMinersMuseum

Swansea Valley History Society https://swanseavalleyhistorysociety.org
Swansea Canal Society

http://www.swanseacanalsociety.com

Treftadaeth Brynaman Heritage

www.facebook.com/groups/399163004149409

Welsh Transport & Memory Lane Museum

(Transport related museum including vintage cars)

 

See also: