Bethan's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Plenty to do at porthcawl
Beach
walks
coffee shops
town
Fish and chips
ice-cream
pubs
place to eat
23 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Porthcawl Sea Front
Plenty to do at porthcawl
Beach
walks
coffee shops
town
Fish and chips
ice-cream
pubs
place to eat
Just a 10 minute drive away it this amazing beauty. pictures don't do this place justice. A lovely walk, dogs can also go.
8 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Brombil Reservoir
Just a 10 minute drive away it this amazing beauty. pictures don't do this place justice. A lovely walk, dogs can also go.
This place is an amazing piece of history for cefn cribwr. Mr and Mrs Mason keeps this open and running every year. It has a mini railway inside and other interesting old train bits nd bobs. A must see for history nd train lovers.
The Signal Box
This place is an amazing piece of history for cefn cribwr. Mr and Mrs Mason keeps this open and running every year. It has a mini railway inside and other interesting old train bits nd bobs. A must see for history nd train lovers.
This place is an absolute must, only have to pay to park.
Illuminate at Christmas is an amazing experience I highly recommend
The Dramatic Heart of Wales
Nestled within 1000 acres of glorious parkland, Margam Country Park is immersed in history, home to rare wildlife, and offers outstanding natural landscapes. There’s something for everyone, which is why you absolutely must make a trip to the park when visiting Neath Port Talbot. Need more convincing? Take a look at our top five reasons to visit:
1. Margam Castle
This striking 19th Century Tudor Gothic Mansion was built for Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot in the 1830s, costing approximately £50,000. Sandstone from a nearby quarry was used in the construction of the Grade I listed building. This incredible mansion has also been used as a filming location for film and TV, including the likes of Doctor Who, Torchwood, and Da Vinci’s Demons.
2. The Gardens
Margam Country Park is home to Grade I listed gardens that surround the Orangery and flank the magnificent Broadwalk steps leading up to the Castle terrace. The gardens have evolved over 200 years and there are many distinctive trees dating back to the early 19th century, some of exceptional form. The age and size of these specimens is in keeping with the landscape and architecture creating an impression of immense space. Most notable are the majestic tulip trees, the octopus-like oriental plane and the fairy tale cut-leaved beech.
The formal Castle Terrace gardens are being developed to have interest throughout the year with grasses and flowering perennials framed within neat box and yew hedging. The old walled kitchen garden is home to an apiary, wildflower meadow and fruit trees.
3. Activities
Rise to Go Ape’s Treetop Challenge (the only one in Wales!) and experience free-falling for 6 whole meters on the UK’s biggest Tarzan Swing! Experience exhilarating thrills with obstacle cross overs and zip lines above the forest floor. If heights aren’t your thing, discover Margam Park Adventure which runs a whole range of outdoor activities, including mountain biking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, archery, pedal go-kart safari and more, all from one fantastic location. However, if you’d rather a more laid-back experience, discover the many walking trails throughout the park; enjoy a leisurely afternoon walk through the ornamental gardens or hike up into the hills along the Monastic Trail towards the remains of Hen Eglwys Chapel, where on a clear day you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views across the English Channel.
4. The Deer Herd
Margam’s home to an ancient herd of beautiful fallow deer, which graze alongside smaller herds of the endangered Père David deer and red deer. The famous Margam Deer Herd move freely through 500 acres of parkland, and with around 400 deer within the herd, you’re sure to find a few as you explore the park!
5. It’s Dog Friendly
The parkland at Margam Country is a self-described dog walking heaven! Dogs are allowed to walk off lead and run around to their heart’s content, across 500 acres of open space. Just remember to keep a close eye on your furry friend, as Margam’s deer wander freely around the park and your dog must be kept under close control. You’re also free to stroll through the Orangery gardens and use the picnic benches outside Charlotte’s Pantry, so long as you keep your dog on a lead. You’ll find a self-service Dog Wash near the exit – the first in Wales! With warm water, wash products, and a doggy dryer, there’s no chance of your four-legged friends leaving a trail of dirt throughout your car!
73 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Parc Gwledig Margam Country Park
This place is an absolute must, only have to pay to park.
Illuminate at Christmas is an amazing experience I highly recommend
The Dramatic Heart of Wales
Nestled within 1000 acres of glorious parkland, Margam Country Park is immersed in history, home to rare wildlife, and offers outstanding natural landscapes. There’s something for everyone, which is why you absolutely must make a trip to the park when visiting Neath Port Talbot. Need more convincing? Take a look at our top five reasons to visit:
1. Margam Castle
This striking 19th Century Tudor Gothic Mansion was built for Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot in the 1830s, costing approximately £50,000. Sandstone from a nearby quarry was used in the construction of the Grade I listed building. This incredible mansion has also been used as a filming location for film and TV, including the likes of Doctor Who, Torchwood, and Da Vinci’s Demons.
2. The Gardens
Margam Country Park is home to Grade I listed gardens that surround the Orangery and flank the magnificent Broadwalk steps leading up to the Castle terrace. The gardens have evolved over 200 years and there are many distinctive trees dating back to the early 19th century, some of exceptional form. The age and size of these specimens is in keeping with the landscape and architecture creating an impression of immense space. Most notable are the majestic tulip trees, the octopus-like oriental plane and the fairy tale cut-leaved beech.
The formal Castle Terrace gardens are being developed to have interest throughout the year with grasses and flowering perennials framed within neat box and yew hedging. The old walled kitchen garden is home to an apiary, wildflower meadow and fruit trees.
3. Activities
Rise to Go Ape’s Treetop Challenge (the only one in Wales!) and experience free-falling for 6 whole meters on the UK’s biggest Tarzan Swing! Experience exhilarating thrills with obstacle cross overs and zip lines above the forest floor. If heights aren’t your thing, discover Margam Park Adventure which runs a whole range of outdoor activities, including mountain biking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, archery, pedal go-kart safari and more, all from one fantastic location. However, if you’d rather a more laid-back experience, discover the many walking trails throughout the park; enjoy a leisurely afternoon walk through the ornamental gardens or hike up into the hills along the Monastic Trail towards the remains of Hen Eglwys Chapel, where on a clear day you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views across the English Channel.
4. The Deer Herd
Margam’s home to an ancient herd of beautiful fallow deer, which graze alongside smaller herds of the endangered Père David deer and red deer. The famous Margam Deer Herd move freely through 500 acres of parkland, and with around 400 deer within the herd, you’re sure to find a few as you explore the park!
5. It’s Dog Friendly
The parkland at Margam Country is a self-described dog walking heaven! Dogs are allowed to walk off lead and run around to their heart’s content, across 500 acres of open space. Just remember to keep a close eye on your furry friend, as Margam’s deer wander freely around the park and your dog must be kept under close control. You’re also free to stroll through the Orangery gardens and use the picnic benches outside Charlotte’s Pantry, so long as you keep your dog on a lead. You’ll find a self-service Dog Wash near the exit – the first in Wales! With warm water, wash products, and a doggy dryer, there’s no chance of your four-legged friends leaving a trail of dirt throughout your car!
This beach is soo big it goes for miles and miles. There is a dog beach to the left where dogs are welcome all year.
There is a splash park on the front,
skatepark, park, cafe, restaurants, fish and chip shops and a lovely walkway with a bike lane
43 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Aberavon Beach
This beach is soo big it goes for miles and miles. There is a dog beach to the left where dogs are welcome all year.
There is a splash park on the front,
skatepark, park, cafe, restaurants, fish and chip shops and a lovely walkway with a bike lane
This is just a 3 minute drive away or you can walk from Masons hideaway.
Bird watching huts
cafe
streams
lovely for walking
biking
exploring
dog walking
Parc Slip Visitor Centre and Cafe
Fountain RoadThis is just a 3 minute drive away or you can walk from Masons hideaway.
Bird watching huts
cafe
streams
lovely for walking
biking
exploring
dog walking
sport
This place is amazing 👏
Huw has everything you need here
surf boards
summer and winter wetsuits, boots, gloves
paddle boards
surf school
13 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Porthcawl Surf School
This place is amazing 👏
Huw has everything you need here
surf boards
summer and winter wetsuits, boots, gloves
paddle boards
surf school
Amazing experience here every time!!
The trek takes you through the river and own to the beach. This is just a 15 min drive from Masons hideaway
11 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Ogmore Farm Riding Centre
Amazing experience here every time!!
The trek takes you through the river and own to the beach. This is just a 15 min drive from Masons hideaway
Food Scene
This is a lovely friendly pub just a short walk from Masons Hideaway, with a seating area out the back.
Dogs are welcome
They also do quiz nights, curry nights and my favourite gin night.
Three Horseshoes
Cefn RoadThis is a lovely friendly pub just a short walk from Masons Hideaway, with a seating area out the back.
Dogs are welcome
They also do quiz nights, curry nights and my favourite gin night.
Shopping
Perfect place to grab some bargains that's less than a 10 min drive
plenty of places to eat or graba coffee.
This place has a play area park that's undercover so great here if it rains
73 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend
DerwenPerfect place to grab some bargains that's less than a 10 min drive
plenty of places to eat or graba coffee.
This place has a play area park that's undercover so great here if it rains