Neath

From a small market town, Neath grew into a large manufacturing base for iron, steel and tinplate during the industrial revolution. As of 2011, the town hasd a population of around 19,500, with 50,000 in the wider area. Although it lacks any specific tourist attractions, its location near the stunning Swansea and Neath Valleys make it a convenient, if not overly inspiring, base for touring these places.

By train

• Neath railway station

  address: Windsor Road
  On the South Wales Main Line from London Paddington to Swansea.

By bus

Bus station is at Victoria Gardens, a five-minute walk from the railway station. Connections from Swansee and Port Talbot.

By car

Just off the M4 between Port Talbot and Swansea on the A465 "Heads of the Valleys" road Merthyr Tydfil to Abergavenny.

• Neath CastleInsubstantial ruins, but worth a look if in the area.

• Neath AbbeyBuilt in 1130, it was once described as the fairest abbey in all of Wales, but now only ruins remain.

• Victoria Gardensa traditional Victorian-style park.

• Gnoll Estate Country ParkFeatures a lake and historic landscaped gardens in a setting in the lower Vale of Neath.

• Pant-y-Sais FenSpecial Site of Scientific Interest in Jersey Marine, the wetland site features a boardwalk which is accessible from a free car park just outside Jersey Marine village.

• Waterfall CountryVale of Neath The Vale of Neath is also known as Waterfall Country for the numerous falls which are found there.

• Aberdulais Falls and Tin Works

  phone: +44 1639 636674
  address: Aberdulais, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, SA10 8EU
  One of the most famous waterfalls of Wales, the Aberdulais Falls can be found near the village of Aberdulais in the lower Neath Valley. The waterfall area is now a National Trust property who operate a visitor centre. The waterfall exhibition features a working waterwheel.

• Melincourt FallsThe high falls are part of the Melincourt Brook, a tributary of the River Neath.

• Hepste and Mellte waterfallsThe rivers Hepste and Mellte can be found in the Upper Neath Valley and fall within the Brecon Beacons national park zone. The Hepste and Mellte feature numerous waterfalls along their length but they do require some hiking to view. They can be accessed from a car park near the village of Pontneddfechan.

Cefn Coed Colliery MuseumFound near the village of Crynant in the Dulais Valley, it features a permanent exhibition of the Cefn Coed Colliery - once the deepest anthracite coal mine in the world.

Neath CanalThe historic Neath and Tennant Canals are the subject of a major restoration project by the Neath and Tennant Canals Trust. A boat trip can be taken along part of the Canal starting from Neath town centre heading inland. The boat trip operates from Easter until the end of summer annually. The canal features a walkable towpath.

• Attend a rugby game. Neath are the most successful semi-professional team in Wales.

• Swansea Bay Golf Club

  address: Jersey Marine, SA10 6JP
  6605-yard, par 72, 18-hole links course set in Crymlyn Burrows overlooking Swansea Bay.

• Neath Golf club

  address: Cadoxton, Neath
  18-hole hilltop course.

• Top Gun Paintball

  address: Oaklands, 1B Brynteg Road, Seven Sisters, Neath, SA10 9ET

• Glynneath Golf Club

  address: Penygraig, Pontneddfechan, Glynneath, SA11 5UH
  6,100-yard, par 71, 18-hole course set in a mix of parkland and woodland.

• Rheola Market

  address: Rheola
  Features over 200 stalls and a car boot sale.

• Fortune House

  address: 140 New Road, Skewen

• Hikary's Fish Bar

  address: 74 Briton Ferry Rd

• Tan yr Eglwys Self Catering Cottages

  address: Cilybebyll, Pontardawe
  4-star upmarket self-catering cottages in quiet hamlet.

• Gellifelgaws Farm

  address: Tyllwyd Rd, Bryncoch, NEATH, SA10 7DX

• Hafodwen Holiday Cottage

  address: Bryngaws Farm, Cilfrew, Neath, SA10 8NF
  Highly sought-after large detached house sleeps up to 14 in 6 large bedrooms. Stunning countryside views. Dogs welcome. 4-star accredited self-catering accommodation in the Vale of Neath. Ideal for visiting Brecon Beacons, Neath waterfalls, Gower beaches and Swansea.

• The Castle HotelThe Parade.

• The Blue Bell Hotel

  address: 14 The Parade
  Centrally located with Mediterranean theme restaurant. A four-star boutique hotel.

• Express by Holiday Inn

  address: Neath Road, Llandarcy, SA10 6JQ
  It is next to the sports club facilities of Llandarcy Academy of Sport.

• The Towers Hotel and Spa

  address: Jersey Marine, SA10 6JL
  Next to the Jersey Marine Tower which is the tall octagonal tower visible from the Fabian Way. The tower is the hotel's premier suite and the top floor bedroom offers views of Swansea Bay.

• Swansea and the Gower Peninsular - a 30-minute drive
• The 1,000-acre Margam Country Park - twenty minutes by car
• Craig y Nos Castle in the Swansea Valley - a thirty minute drive, near Pen y Cae.
• Port Talbot
• Afan Forest Park and the South Wales Miners Museum