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.
Aberdulais Falls is owned and cared for by the National Trust and features the following:
- unique fish pass
- visitor interactive display
- educational facilities
- National Trust gift shop
- facilities for disabled visitors
- free guided tours during the summer months
Location: On the A4109, 2 miles north east of Neath at Aberdulais.
Bus: 158 (First Cymru) from Swansea/Neath. Also accessible via a pleasant walk or cycle ride form Neath (join footpath at B&Q) along the Neath Canal to Aberdulais Basin and Falls (approx. 2 miles).
Accessibility: Accessible to less abled visitors. Special lift provided; access through the turbine house and new scissor lift provides views above the waterfall.
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.
The Abbey enjoyed varying fortunes, even serving as an early copper works after the dissolution. Although situated near an industrial area, the Abbey's location, on the banks of the Tennant Canal, makes it a tranquil and memorable site for the visitor.
Location: Off the A465 follow the A4320 Skewen signs. Turn left opposite the Hope & Anchor public house.
Bus: 158 or 143 (First Cymru) from Swansea/Neath
Accessibility: Accessible to the disabled visitor.
- Tel: CADW on 029 20 500 200
Neath & 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’. The ‘Thomas Dadford’ leaves Neath from Morrisons/B&Q daily during the school summer holidays, and on Saturdays from April to September.
Those who wish to simply enjoy a tranquil walk can follow the Neath Canal towpath through Neath Town Centre to Aberdulais where the basin has a skew bridge and 12 arch aqueduct over the River Neath.
Location: Resolven and Aberdulais Canal Basins are both easily accessible from the A465. Aberdulais is 2 miles north of Neath. Resolven is 7 miles north of Neath.
Bus: X5 (First Cymru) from Swansea/Neath.
Accessibility: The restored section north of Resolven and the Aberdulais Basin are both accessible to the disabled visitor.
- Tel: 01792 772776/ 01639 636 674
History and Heritage 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.
Local History & Heritage Groups
| Society |
Contact |
Website |
Meeting Information |
| Amman Valley Railway Society |
ammanvalleyrail@talk21.com |
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| Bethania Chapel History Centre |
Mr David Teague, 45, Lloyds Terrace, Cymmer, Port Talbot, SA13 3HT |
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| Brunel Dock Society |
Cllr Huw James, 65 Shelone Rd, Briton Ferry
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| Bryn Historical Society |
Dafydd Bowen (Sec) grahamrowland@live.co.uk |
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| Briton Ferry Historical Society |
Bill Watkins |
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| Cwm Dulais Historical Society |
Mair Heap (Sec), 26 Heol y Felin, Caewern, Neath. SA10 7SD - cdhsmairheap@gmail.com |
www.cwmdulais.org.uk |
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| Friends of Aberdulais Falls |
Bethan Healey: bethan@henllan.orangehome.co.uk |
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| Friends of Cefn Coed |
Bryan King (Sec), 87 Main Road, Creunant, SA10 8TP kingshome@am.serve.com |
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| Friends of Margam Park |
The Court Yard Bicycle Centre,Margam Country Park, Port Talbot william.perkins@ntlworld.com
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| Glynneath Historical Society |
Graham Morris, ‘Maes y Berllan’, Abernant Hir, Glynneath, SA11 5RW, (01639) 722 105
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| Heritage Scene Neath |
info@heritagescene.co.uk |
www.heritagescene.co.uk |
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| Historical Association Swansea |
Peter Richards, wernddu@tiscali.co.uk
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| The Neath Antiquarian Society |
Virginia Jones, virginia.jones1@btinternet.com
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| Neath Historical Model Railway Society |
Bryan King, 87 Main Road, Creunant, SA10 8TP kingshome@am.serve.com |
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| Neath Railway History Society |
Glyn Williams, 01639 790629 glyn_williams6@sky.com
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| Neath & Tennant Canal Preservation Society |
Peter Ricketts, (01792) 360 688 |
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| Pontardawe Historical Society |
Roland Murdoch, (01792) 864073
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| Pontneddvaughan Historical Society |
Stephen Morris, 01639 720 728 |
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| Port Talbot Historical Society |
Sally Jones (Secretary)
(01639) 886186
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| Resolven History Society |
Trefor Jones, Bryn Glas, Glynneath Road, Resolven (01639) 710855
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| Skewen & District Industrial Heritage Association |
Viv Griffiths, (01792) 813243, vivgriffiths@ntlworld.com
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| Skewen Historical Society |
Mrs Kitty Griffiths, (01792) 813 651, kittygriffiths@hotmail.co.uk
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Meet on the first monday of the month, at 7.00pm, in the Carnegie Hall, Evelyn Road, Skewen.
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| SouthWales Miners Museum |
Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre, Port Talbot. email: info@swmm.co.uk
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| Swansea Valley History Society |
Mr D. Keri Thomas (Vice-Chair), 25 Gelligron Road, Pontardawe, Swansea, SA8 4LU, dkerithomas@hotmail.com or jeff.childs1@btinternet.com
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| Treftadaeth Brynaman Heritage |
Black Mountain Centre, Cwmgarw Rd, Brynaman, Ammanford, SA18 1BU |
www.brynaman-heritage.org.uk
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3rd Wednesday of every month. 7pm |
| W.A.F.E.R.S |
D. M. Evans, (01639) 635 761 |
www.wafersmuseum.org |
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| Welsh Postal History Research Foundation |
Bill Toye, Y Grithig, Pen Y Cae, Upper Swansea Valley, SA9 1ED, 01639 730 730 |
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| Ystalyfera Heritage Society |
John Skinner, 3 Swan Lane, Ystalyfera, SA9 2JB |
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See also: