It is the ideal weekend away
Aberavon Seafront
Neath Port Talbot may not ring any bells with you, or may not be the place you have in mind when planning a weekend away.
However, as a former reporter at WalesOnline who used to have Neath Port Talbot as her patch, I can say there are plenty of things to do in the area.
A 90-minute drive down the M4 will get you to Port Talbot, the industrial town best known for its steel industry. It is a year since the final blast furnace at Port Talbot was wound down for the final time and, while the two structures still stand proud on the skyline, it was a historic day, ending decades of primary steel making.
The town is certainly worth a stop, and a favourite place to grab a bite to eat is Cafe Remos down at Aberavon beach. You can then enjoy some time at the beach, weather allowing.
People enjoying sunny weather by the beach in Aberavon beach, Port Talbot, Wales(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Also worth a visit in the area is the impressive Aberdulais. Managed by the National Trust, you get to see an impressive waterfall which was formed about 20,000 years ago. There is also the largest electricity-generating overshot waterwheel in Europe, which was used in the tinplate works running from the site.
In its heyday, tinplate from Aberdulais was exported across the globe.
I always loved spending time over at Gnoll Country Park, on the outskirts of Neath. There are lovely walks and there is also a large playground for children to enjoy.
(Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)
Finally, this is also the perfect time of the year to visit the glorious Margam Park. 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.
The area has plenty of options when it comes to accommodation, from cottages to campsites and the increasingly popular glamping.