This country park has free-roaming deer, a lake with watersports, and loads of beautiful trails to explore
There is loads to do at Margam Country Park (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)
Did you know that now is the best time to see deer in the wild in Wales? It’s officially the start of deer rutting season, which occurs in the autumn, typically from late September to early November.
During this time, male deer (stags or bucks) start displaying aggressive behaviours like roaring, clashing antlers, and parallel walking to compete for females. It’s a great time to spot the biggest stags, which will hold harems in the middle of the rut when most of the female deer are in season. One of the most beautiful spots to witness the rutting ritual is the glorious Margam Park in south Wales.
In this free-to-enter park, there’s a gothic castle that looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale, free-roaming deer, a lake with watersports, and loads of trails to explore.
It’s just £8.50 to park and you can roam 1,000 acres of glorious parklands, natural beauty, history, wildlife, a wide range of fun activities, and heritage sites where you can learn more about Welsh history.
Red Deer Stag at Margam Park(Image: Tony Shadrach Asportsphoto)
This historic 850-acre estate is set on the southern slopes of Mynydd Margam, a largely forested mountain rising to 349m.
The estate’s history can be traced back to prehistoric times, with Bronze and Iron Age relics and evidence of Roman and extensive Celtic occupation. In fact, the Romans might have introduced Margam’s very own deer herd, which still resides in the park today.
According to the Margam website, the famous Margam Deer Herd roams through approximately 500 acres of parkland, including Red and rare Pere David deer. You can look out for them while on the park’s many walking and bike trails.
In the last 25 years, red deer and then Pere David deer have been introduced and thrived in the large park. The Pere David is an endangered species, and in the park, they are part of a breeding programme in conjunction with Whipsnade Safari Park.
The herd currently consists of approximately 300 fallow deer, 64 red deer, and 34 Pere David, and they are truly a magnificent sight when roaming the park.
Deer rutting at Margam Country Park(Image: Mike Vice)
During this rather dramatic period, you’ll hear them roaring, walking in parallel, and even fighting with antlers. Definitely have your camera ready, and don’t get too close. These are wild animals, and we want to keep them that way.
It is recommended that you keep a safe distance of around 50 metres at all times to ensure safety for you and the deer. During rutting season, male deer can become aggressive and are highly territorial, so don’t run up to them for a #deerselfie.
Feeding deer is also harmful, as it can make them more aggressive and dependent on human food, which can disrupt their natural feeding habits. Sharing human food can also spread diseases among deer. If you are planning an autumn picnic, make sure to clean up and don’t leave any rubbish.
Along with deer spotting opportunities, the park is also home to Grade I listed gardens and landscapes, biking and hiking trails, wildlife, a Norman Abbey and Margam Castle, a grand Victorian mansion, and an impressive 18th-century orangery. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
One of the best ways to see the deer in Margam Park is mountain biking. You can cycle around the park on tarmac roads and rough tracks to a fantastic viewpoint.
There is loads to do at Margam Country Park (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)
The park is part of the National Cycle Network, The Celtic Trail Route 4, which runs across South Wales and through the North of the Park. Here, you’ll find several trails, including a waymarked mountain bike trail and a family cycle trail if you are biking with the little ones.
The family trail is an easy cycle along mostly flat tarmac paths. It passes close to the adventure playground, farm trail, and open parklands. Kids will love stopping off on the farm trail to meet the animals and use the animal feed stations.
Here, you’ll find a range of adorable animals, from pygmy goats and ponies to alpacas, rabbits, pedigree sheep, Glamorgan cattle and donkeys.
The mountain bike trail is a relatively short 2.3 miles and includes a challenging ascent halfway up Margam Mountain. Along this scenic route, you might spot the resident deer.
Look out for Fallow deer(Image: Josef Laimer/Wiki)
As you wind your way through the track, you’ll start a bumpy ascent up Margam Mountain; this is where an e-bike comes in really handy for those burning thighs! If you don’t have your own, you can rent bikes from Margam Park Adventure, which runs a range of activities.
As you climb up, you’ll have fabulous views of the park and the surrounding countryside. The trail then levels off and returns on a steep descent onto the Cwm Phillips access road with a return ride to Margam Castle, reputedly one of the most haunted places in the UK.
There are spooky events in the castle(Image: John Myers)
If you love history and ghosts, definitely take a tour of this spooky spot after your bike ride. Visitors to this 19th-century Gothic mansion in Neath Port Talbot have long shared eerie tales of spectral figures, unexplained laughter, and objects that seem to move of their own accord.
From the Bronze Age through Roman times and later the founding of the Cistercian Abbey in the 12th century, this site has seen centuries of human life, and, perhaps, lingering spirits. Look out for special Halloween events and combine wildlife spotting and scares all in one day.
Need to know
- How to Get There: Margam Castle is located within Margam Country Park, just off Junction 38 of the M4 motorway in Neath Port Talbot, South Wales. The park is well-signposted and easy to access by car. The nearest train station is Port Talbot Parkway, a 15-minute drive away.
- Entry Fees: While entry to Margam Country Park is free, there is a £8.50 per vehicle parking charge for the day. Some special events and guided tours may also charge an additional fee.
- Bike Hire: Hire Bikes through Margam Park Adventure
- Booking a Tour: Guided tours of Margam Castle can be arranged through The Friends of Margam Park or directly with the park’s visitor centre. Advanced booking is recommended, particularly during busy periods.
- Facilities: Margam Castle has a visitor-friendly cafe offering a selection of drinks, snacks, and light meals. Public toilets are also available on-site.