Port Talbot

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Top Places to Visit

Aberavon Beach

Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, SA13 1PJ, Wales

Aberavon Beach has something for everyone. Families need look no further for things to do on one of Wales’ longest sandy beaches, which boasts an Aquasplash ... more

Aberavon Beach

Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, SA13 1PJ, Wales

Aberavon Beach has something for everyone. Families need look no further for things to do on one of Wales’ longest sandy beaches, which boasts an Aquasplash ... more

Afan Forest Park

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre, Cynonville, Port Talbot, Neath Port T...

South Wales' own Forest Park, set in 3250 hectares of spectacular conifer forest specially set aside by Forest Enterprise Wales. Enjoy walking, mountain biking... more

Margam Country Park & Castle

Margam, Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot, SA13 2TJ, Wales

Margam Country Park, where in addition to the splendid landscapes, architecture, rich heritage and cultural past, you can enjoy a full programme of ... more

Margam Country Park & Castle

Margam, Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot, SA13 2TJ, Wales

Margam Country Park, where in addition to the splendid landscapes, architecture, rich heritage and cultural past, you can enjoy a full programme of ... more

La Mancha

The Parade, Neath Port Talbot, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, SA11 1RA, Wal...

La Mancha is an exciting and modern restaurant offering a dining experience which is hard to beat in the local area. Its experienced team of Chefs offer a wide ... more

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Aberdulais Tin Works & Waterfall

Aberdulais, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, SA10 8EU, Wales

The National Trust property at Aberdulais Falls has one of the most famous waterfalls in South Wales, a small compact easy access site for all, situated in the ... more

Aberdulais Tin Works & Waterfall

Aberdulais, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, SA10 8EU, Wales

The National Trust property at Aberdulais Falls has one of the most famous waterfalls in South Wales, a small compact easy access site for all, situated in the ... more

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Top Activity Places

Corus Golf Course

Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, SA12 9NH United Kingdom
Phone: 01639 871111

Corus Golf Club has 9 holes and it is located in the Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, SA12 9NH United Kingdom

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About Port Talbot

Port Talbot is an industrial town in the traditional county of Glamorgan, south Wales, UK, with a population of approximately 50,000. The town grew out of the original small port and market town of Aberafan (Aberavon), which belonged to the medieval Lords of Afan. It built its wealth on the abundance of coal in the vicinity and on the abundant water available in the River Afan to power machinery and operate the docks.

The town got its new name from the Talbot family, who were related to the pioneer photographer, William Henry Fox Talbot. They were patrons of Margam Abbey, an ancient Cistercian foundation, and also built Margam Castle (1830-1839, architect: Thomas Hopper), a mock Gothic residence, now partially restored and open to the public along with the surrounding park.

Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803-1890) was a wealthy landowner (and Liberal member of Parliament for Glamorgan from 1830 until his death) who saw the potential of his property as a site for an extensive ironworks, which opened in early 1831. (This was just part of the industrialisation taking place across south Wales then; copper had been smelted at Neath since 1584, and there were tinworks and ironworks at Pontardawe.) CRM Talbot was also chairman and a major shareholder of the South Wales Railway.

His only son Theodore died in 1876 following a hunting accident. It was therefore his daughter Emily Charlotte Talbot (1840-1918) who inherited her father's fortune and became just as notable in the development of ports and railways. With assistance from engineers Charles Meik and Patrick Meik she set about creating a port and railway system to attract business away from Cardiff and Swansea. The Port Talbot Railway and Dock Company opened a dock at Port Talbot and the Llynfi Railway in 1897, followed by the Ogmore Valley Extension and the South Wales Mineral Junction Railway (almost all these lines were closed as part of the Beeching Axe cuts in the mid 1960's, but some bridges and viaducts remain). By 1900, the dock was exporting over 500,000 tonnes of coal; it reached a peak of over three million tonnes in 1923.

During the early twentieth century, the docks and a major steelworks attracted considerable investment, and this was followed by the siting of a chemical plant at Baglan Bay by British Petroleum. BP has now gone although the steelworks is still here it is now part of the world wide company Corus.

In recent years, the town has seen a serious decline, caused by the withdrawal or cutting back of major employers. The borough council has been absorbed into the larger unitary authority of Neath Port Talbot.

Port Talbot

Share your experience regarding what not to miss or to avoid

Top Places to Visit

Aberavon Beach

Aberavon Beach

Afan Forest Park

Margam Country Park & Castle

Margam Country Park & Castle

La Mancha

Top Places to Eat

Aberdulais Tin Works & Waterfall

Aberdulais Tin Works & Waterfall

Top Activity Places

Corus Golf Course

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