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)
Right now, it is the best time of the year to spot deer in the wild. We’re officially in the midst of deer rutting season, which typically spans from late September to early November.
During this time, male deer, known as stags or bucks, begin to exhibit aggressive behaviours such as roaring, clashing antlers, and parallel walking in a bid to compete for female attention. This is an ideal time to catch sight of the largest stags, who will be at the centre of harems during the peak of the rut when most of the female deer are in season.
And a great location to observe this annual ritual is the stunning Margam Park in south Wales, just over an hour’s drive from Bristol down the M4.
This park, which is free to enter, boasts a gothic castle straight out of a fairytale, free-roaming deer, a lake offering watersports, and numerous trails to explore, reports Wales Online.
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.
This historic estate, spanning 850 acres, is nestled on the southern slopes of Mynydd Margam, a largely forested mountain reaching up to 349m.
The estate’s history dates back to prehistoric times, with relics from the Bronze and Iron Age and evidence of Roman and extensive Celtic occupation. In fact, it’s believed that the Romans may have been responsible for introducing the deer herd that still resides in Margam Park today.
According to the Margam website, the renowned Margam Deer Herd freely roams across approximately 500 acres of parkland, including Red and rare Pere David deer. These majestic creatures can be spotted while exploring the park’s numerous walking and bike trails.
In the last 25 years, red deer and then Pere David deer have been introduced and flourished within the huge park. The Pere David is an endangered species, and within the park, they are part of a breeding programme in partnership with Whipsnade Safari Park.
Red Deer Stag at Margam Park(Image: Tony Shadrach Asportsphoto)
The herd currently comprises around 300 fallow deer, 64 red deer, and 34 Pere David, and they truly are a spectacular sight when wandering the park.
During this rather dramatic period, you’ll hear them roaring, walking in parallel, and even clashing antlers. Be sure to have your camera at the ready, but remember not to get too close.
These are wild animals, and we want to keep them that way.
It is advised to maintain a safe distance of about 50 metres at all times to ensure safety for both you and the deer. During the rutting season, male deer can become aggressive and highly territorial, so don’t approach them for a #deerselfie.
Feeding the deer is also detrimental, as it can make them more aggressive and reliant on human food, which can disrupt their natural feeding habits. Sharing human food can also spread diseases among the deer.
If you’re planning an autumn picnic, ensure to tidy up and leave no rubbish behind.
In addition to opportunities for deer spotting, the park boasts Grade I listed gardens and landscapes, cycling and walking trails, wildlife, a Norman Abbey and Margam Castle, a grand Victorian mansion, and an impressive 18th-century orangery.
There are spooky events in the castle(Image: John Myers)
One of the top ways to spot the deer in Margam Park is by mountain biking. You can cycle around the park on tarmac roads and rough tracks to a fantastic viewpoint.
The park forms part of the National Cycle Network, The Celtic Trail Route 4, which stretches across South Wales and through the northern part of the park. Here, you’ll discover several trails, including a marked mountain bike trail and a family cycle trail if you’re cycling with the youngsters.
The family trail offers an easy ride along mostly flat tarmac paths. It passes near the adventure playground, farm trail, and open parklands.
Children will enjoy stopping at the farm trail to meet the animals and use the animal feed stations.
Here, you’ll encounter a variety of charming animals, from pygmy goats and ponies to alpacas, rabbits, pedigree sheep, Glamorgan cattle and donkeys.
The mountain bike trail is a relatively brief 2.3 miles and includes a challenging climb halfway up Margam Mountain. Along this picturesque route, you might catch sight of the resident deer.
As you navigate the trail, you’ll begin a jolting climb up Margam Mountain; this is where an e-bike proves particularly useful for those aching thighs!
Look out for Fallow deer(Image: Josef Laimer/Wiki)
If you don’t own one, you can hire bikes from Margam Park Adventure, which offers a variety 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.
If you’re a fan of history and ghost stories, it’s well worth taking a tour of this eerie location after your cycle ride. Visitors to this 19th-century Gothic mansion in Neath Port Talbot have long reported chilling tales of spectral figures, inexplicable laughter, and objects that appear to move on their own.
From the Bronze Age through Roman times and later the establishment of the Cistercian Abbey in the 12th century, this site has witnessed centuries of human activity, and perhaps, lingering spirits. Keep an eye out for special Halloween events and combine wildlife spotting with a bit of a fright all in one day.