Port Talbot (Welsh: Porth Talbot) is an industrial town in South Wales, United Kingdom. It is located in the county borough of Neath Port Talbot, part of the traditional county of Glamorgan and has a population of around 35,000.
Access : Coordinates: 51.59055, -3.79859 / By car : Port Talbot is located close to the M4 Motorway , By train : All trains on the London Paddington main line to Swansea make a stop in Port Talbot Parkway station Get around : The town has a reliable bus service.
Highlights :
- In the past Port Talbot was not a tourist destination but that is changing rapidly as it now has one of the most popular visitor attractions in Wales – the world renowned Afan Forest Park which is one of the top centers for mountain biking in the world. Port Talbot town itself is a major industrial center, and the few historic buildings of interest were obliterated in the 60s and 70s to make way for the motorway and other road networks. However, the sea front offers a long beautiful sandy beach (Aberavon) offering views over Swansea Bay. It has been awarded the coveted Blue Flag for cleanliness and water quality. Just outside the town is the beautiful Margam country park, the former home of the Talbot Family – the family who introduced the steel making industry to the town and built the harbor to allow import of iron ore. It is now a popular tourist attraction with weddings and functions held at the Orangery.
- Behind the town is the picturesque pine-clad Afan valley which is home to the second most popular visitor attraction in Wales – the Afan Forest Mountain Bike centre which attracted 650,000 visitors in 2009.
- Margam Stones Museum, SA13 2TA (Off the A48, very close to junction 38 of the M4.). Apr-Sept, Wed to Sun. (Oct-Mar, Wed & Fri by appointment. One of the most important collections of Celtic early Christian stone crosses in Britain, including inscribed ogham stones and disc-headed crosses. £2.10 (free to Cadw members).
- Aberavon beach, The Princess Margaret Way, SA12 7PB (From M4, take A48 and A4241 through the town.). A three-mile stretch of beach in Sandfields. Great sunset location. free.
- The steel works. For people attracted to industrial scenery, the hills behind the town offer spectacular views of the huge steel works, which is even more impressive set against the background of the sea.
- Swansea bay. The town is located along the stunning sweep of Swansea Bay and offers views as far as Mumbles Head and the Gower Peninisular. Swansea is quite spectacular on clear day and when lit up at night.
- Margam Park. An 850-acre country park located just north of the town. The park boasts an 18th-century orangery and a splendid Tudor Gothic style Victorian Mansion House.
- Afan Forest Park is renowned for its world class mountain bike tracks.
- Glyncorrwg Ponds. Beautiful fishing centre and popular with walkers.
Activities :
Wind surfing.
Mountain biking. The trails in Afan Forest Park (4 miles to the north) are some of the best in the world
Margam Mountain. Set at the back of Port Talbot overlooking the steelworks. Margam Mountain offers a gentle mountain biking route suitable for younger children 10+. There is a Forestry Commission car park located at near Llangynwyd near Maesteg.
Walk. The promenade is an excellent place to walk and enjoy the sea breeze.
Go Ape, Margam Country Park. High-wire forest adventure an outdoor obstacle course set on the trees of Margam Country Park free.
Lakeside Golf Club, . Water Street, Margam. 18 hole course
L & A Outdoor Centre, Goytre, SA13 2YP,
Maesteg Golf Club, Mount Pleasant, Neath Road, Maesteg. 18 hole course
Go next : Swansea and the Gower Peninsular / Brecon and the Brecon Beacons / Porthcawl / Neath
