ACTIVITIES
Everything Outdoors
Activities outdoors that fit any needs or preferences. Enjoy walks through
country parks or hit the bike for a more exciting way to get around
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Margam Country Park
HISTORY OUTDOORS COUNTRY PARK
Margam Country Park is a country park estate in Wales, of around 850 acres (3.4 km²). It is situated in Margam, about 2 miles (3 km) from Port Talbot in south Wales. It was once owned by the Mansel Talbot family and is now owned and administered by the local council, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. Situated within the park are three notable buildings: Margam Abbey, a Cistercian monastery; Margam Castle, a neo-Gothic country house that was once the seat of the Mansel Talbot family; and the 18th-century Orangery.
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Margam Park owes its location and beginnings to the monastery, which was acquired by Sir Rice Mansel in 1540 after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537. A Tudor mansion was later built on the site of the former monastic ranges by Sir Rice Mansel as a county residence. In 1661, the first mention of a garden is referenced, including walled areas and by 1727 the estate's gardener drew up a catalogue of the plants at the gardens. 1793 saw the completion of the Orangery, the masterpiece of eighteenth century architect Anthony Keck,[1] and by the late 18th century the gardens were fenced off from the park to keep out the deer, and a main gate was erected. An 1814 estate map shows that a working park had been realised, with a 'Great', 'Little' and 'Upper' Parks, and by 1830 the construction of a new manor house, to become Margam Castle, had begun. Before the end of the decade, plans show the inclusion of several new buildings and features, including the Temple of the Four Seasons, the stone facade and the gardener's cottage.
Coastal Paths
SCENERY OUTDOORS WALKING
A walk from Porthcawl to Ogmore by Sea along a lovely section of the Wales Coast Path. Along the way you'll pass pretty beaches and enjoy views of the River Ogmore as you approach the end of the route. There's also a visit to the splendid Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes and Ogmore Castle.
The walk starts by Porthcawl Harbour and follows the path north and then east past Sandy Bay where there's the Coney Beach fairground and a large sheltered, sandy beach.
You continue past Trecco Bay to Newton Burrows and the noteworthy Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve. The reserve includes miles of wonderful sand dunes including the 'Big Dipper', the highest dune in Wales. You can take a detour from the path to explore the dunes with its diverse range of flora and fauna.
The path then takes you to the Ogmore Estuary at the eastern end of the Traeth yr Afon beach. It's a good place to look out for wading birds such as Redshank and Shelduck. The route heads along the river and then through the sand dunes and woodland of Merthyr Mawr, passing the interesting ruins of the 14th century Candleston Castle on the way.
The final section crosses the Ogmore River and the Ewenny River before finishing in the village of Ogmore. Here you can pay a visit to the Grade I listed Ogmore Castle. The 12th century castle is located in a photogenic position on the south bank of the River Ewenny and the east bank of the River Ogmore. The grounds are also very attractive with sea views and a popular set of stepping stones across the river.
