The mixture of high street chains, It’s the perfect place to escape for Be sure to ask the wardens where you independent shops and the wide selection an hour or two. can find the ‘ha-ha’ and ‘grotto’ in the of restaurants, bars and cafes make the Mackworth’s garden! Want to see more of the local area but town centre a shopper’s paradise. While don’t feel like walking? Why not take a boat Time your visit to coincide with one of you are shopping make sure you visit the trip down the Neath and Tennant the many fairs and festivals we put Victorian Market. It’s one of the oldest Canal? The canal has been here since on throughout the year. We have an of its kind in Wales. Also, keep your eyes 1795; that makes it one of the oldest in Easter Fair in April and of course the What do you look peeled for St David’s Church – this is Wales. A ride on the custom built barge, popular Neath September Fair as where Katherine Jenkins learned to sing! for when you visit the ‘Thomas Dadford’, is a great way to see well as the Town Festival in May and Neath’s Gwyn Hall is the cultural centre of some of the beautiful scenery which the Food and Drink Festival in a town? History the town. After a devastating fire in 2007 surrounds the town. For operating times October. In November, Neath also holds the Hall has re-opened. It’s now a thriving go to www.neath-tennant-canals.org.uk the Father Christmas parade and the hub which regularly shows films, shows switching on of the lights. and culture? A little way outside the town centre you and musical performances. will find the Gnoll Estate Country Park. We’d love to see you there! Family activities? Need some peace and quiet? Victoria The old Mackworth estate includes four Gardens is a beautiful park right in the duck ponds, two 18th century cascades, a For more information about any Good shopping? middle of Neath. It is one of the few visitor centre, a cafe, play area and of the events or activities in Grade II listed parks in Wales and boasts adventure playground! It has recently been Neath, please visit a bronze statue, standing stones and voted the ‘best picnic spot in Wales’. Neath Neath has it all. a Victorian bandstand. tranquil days out on the canal Neath Canal www.visitnpt.co.uk POCKET GUIDE Gnoll Estate Country Park 15 ST DAVID’S CHURCH – The imposing spire of St David’s Church can be seen for miles. Shadowing Victoria gardens, this gothic church is surprisingly large. 16 GNOLL ESTATE COUNTRY PARK Close to the town centre, the beautiful Gnoll Estate is home to woodland paths, historic gardens, four lakes, a golf course, a children’s playground and a café/ visitor centre. Perfect for an afternoon with the family! 17 NEATH LEISURE CENTRE – Within easy walking distance from the town centre, the leisure centre offers a range of activities to suit all fitness levels. 18 THE GNOLL RUGBY GROUND This ground has witnessed many classic games over the years. Neath RFC is the oldest senior rugby club in Wales having played its first game here in February 1872, nine years before the Welsh Rugby Union was formed at the nearby Castle Hotel. Neath Abbey 19 NEATH LIBRARY – Situated alongside Victoria Gardens near the town’s bus station, the 10 NEATH ABBEY MONASTERY RUINS library houses a reference, lending and music section The monastery was originally built in 1129 and as well as a neighbouring children’s library. became one of the largest monasteries in Wales. It also has free internet access. arts and cultural events Gwyn Hall A visit to the ruins gives a real sense of its religious 20 and industrial significance. ALMSHOUSES – Erected in 1897 in memory of Griffith Llewellyn of Baglan by his widow, for single Historic buildings and 5 TOWN HALL – Originally a Council Chamber, 11 NEATH ABBEY IRONWORKS and widowed ladies of the church. jury room and corn market, the town hall is currently At peak production this 19th century iron works would places of interest the home of the town council. The listed building was produce 75 to 80 tons of iron a week! This site is not 1 VICTORIA GARDENS – After a major originally built in 1820 and has undergone extensive open to the public, though you can peer through the Aberdulais Falls Tourist refurbishment, the gardens were finally re-opened in refurbishment in recent years. gates of the builders’ yard and see the engine Information Centre July 2011. Feel like escaping for a while? Why not take manufactory and the great masonry furnaces. 6 LLETY NEDD WORKHOUSE – The Neath Located at Aberdulais Falls, the Tourist Information a gentle stroll around this Victorian haven? Union workhouse was built about a mile east of the 12 ROMAN FORT – Constructed around 70 AD Centre (TIC) is there to help make your visit an town. The building, opened in 1838, later became 2 GWYN HALL – The Gwyn Hall is Neath’s and originally made of turf, the Roman fort at Neath enjoyable one. Friendly staff are on hand to tell you known as ‘Lletty Nedd’ (or Neath Lodgings). The Abbey would have been occupied by high level troops everything you need to know about places to stay, cultural hub. It re-opened its doors in March 2012 workhouse closed in 1924 and is now a vet’s surgery. to protect the fort against local tribes. Sadly, little places to visit and things not to miss! after the completion of a £9 million renovation. remains of the fort which now lies beneath a modern Fancy seeing a show? Go to www.nptartsandents.co.uk 7 NEATH QUAKER MEETING HOUSE The Centre stocks leaflets for attractions throughout housing estate! The two fort gates are all that remain. South West Wales and has a good quality giftshop. to find out what’s on. – Built in 1800, this is one of the few remaining Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the Top Ten meeting houses still in regular use by the Quakers. 13 ABERDULAIS TIN WORKS AND 3 – The Victorian indoor Walks Leaflet and Waterfall Country Walking Pack. NEATH MARKET WATERFALL – Did you know this is Europe's largest market is home to an array of specialist stalls offering 8 MECHANICS INSTITUTE – To find this electricity-generating waterwheel? The tin works are Email: [email protected] local produce and everyday essentials. The market is building look for the wording Mechanics Institution now home to the area’s Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01639 636674 open from Monday to Saturday (8.30am – 5pm). Erected AD 1847 under its roofline. The architect was Alfred Russell Wallace, co-author of ‘Origin of the (TIC). It is open daily from Feb – Nov and Fri – Sun during Dec and Jan. You can contact the TIC on 4 NEATH CASTLE – Though this Norman castle species’. Originally a place of learning for mechanics 01639 636674 or go to www.visitnpt.co.uk. Aberdulais TIC dates from 1114 and 1130 the stone buildings you and workers, it’s now home to the Neath Antiquarians Society. can see now were built much later. The gatehouse to 14 ST THOMAS’ CHURCH – Established in the north is thought to have been built sometime 9 THE CASTLE HOTEL – Originally a coaching 1298 as a Garrison and chapel to the nearby Norman Almshouses, Leonard Street around 1320. There has been extensive exterior inn dating back to the 17th Century, the Castle Hotel Castle and raised to its present level in 1691. Some of refurbishment to the castle in recent years. is the birthplace of the Welsh Rugby Union. the stained glass windows are up to 300 years old! www.visitnpt.co.uk Neath Market woodland paths, historic gardens A465 to Brecon 13 y to Aberdulais Falls TIC River Neath Neath RIVERSIDE DRIVE Port Talbot College 6 The Parade Neath 01639 644000 P www.thebluebellneath.co.uk A465 to 20 [email protected] Swansea & 7 M4 jct 43 Neath Canal CROFT ROAD P 4 Neath Castle An exquisite choice of the finest locally sourced PRINCE OF WALES DRIVE Angel CASTLE ST Neath Town Centre Meat and Fish cooked to your liking on the grill Place Mon-Sat 12-3pm - 2 course Lunch £8.95 ANGEL STREET OLD MARKET STREET Mon-Sun 6pm-11pm • Private Function Room 8 A la Carte • Parties/Groups Catered For 5 25 22 HIGH STREET 2 21 Entrance to Castle St Thomas’s Gnoll Estate Hotel 9 WIND STREET Country Park CHURCH PL Church & Visitor Railway TAXI NEW STREET Centre line GNOLL PARK ROAD 14 16 P The Gnoll 26 AY P WIND STREET LD W (rugby & football RFIE Trendy :h ORCHARD ST FAI P 23 ground) THEBarclays PARADE 18 25 Bank 24 3 Official Sponsor & Hair Salon Neath Gnoll Estate To Miss Wales Market Tots Pedestrianised Neath Country Park Your One Stop Shop For All Your Hair, Neath Town Hall Nail & Beauty Treatments All Available Under GREEN STREET Area Civic Visitor Centre Stalls 53-55 Market Hall 15 One Roof. 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