Landmap Portal

Monitoring

Q1 - Date of monitoring?

2017-03-15

Q1a - Monitoring undertaken by

Historic Landscape change detection work completed by the relevant Welsh Archaeological Trust for this area, the planning authority have been included. Quality Assurance of change detection work was completed by Trysor. SmartData analysis and update using Designated Historic Asset GIS Data for questions 17, 18, 19, 20 (2025-2026)

Q1b - Has this record been updated following monitoring work?

This record remains unchanged following monitoring work

Q1c - Change indicated by

No Answer

Q1d - What has changed?

No Answer

Q1e - Has the information ever been verified in the field?

Level 3/1:10,000 and 1:25,000

Q2 - Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area?

Description

Q3 - If Classification is "Other", specify here

Empty value

Q4 - Summary Description / Key Patterns and Elements

The area consists of the Neath Port Talbot urban corridor from Margam in the south, northward to Neath. This entirely urban and industrial aspect area includes Tailbach, Aberavon, Baglan and Briton Ferry. From Neath the aspect area diverges west toward Skewen, including the comprehensive Roman and Medieval remains of Nidum and Neath Abbey, and to the north and east including Bryncoch, Cilfrew, Tonna and Aberdulais. Although the aspect area is characterised as historically ''urban and industrial'' it also includes fine examples of much older monuments. Roman Nidum and Neath Abbey are extremely important monuments; the latter comprises the most extensive abbey remains in Wales. Little is visible of the Roman auxiliary fort of Nidum. Excavated foundations of the southeast gateway and guard chamber are preserved in Roman Way, their antiquity contrasting with the modernity of the surrounding housing estate. The double roadway through the southeast gate was flanked by towers and fronted by a ditch, implying the former existence of a bridge. Excavations in the playing fields, across the road from the southeast gate, in which the line of the northwest defences, detected as a slight rise, have revealed the north angle tower and evidence for timber structures including barracks and the headquarters building. First constructed in the mid 70s AD, the earth and timber defences were rebuilt in stone in the early 120s AD, apparently after a period of abandonment, occupation ceasing around AD 150 (Newman 1995). The lands of Neath Abbey, in 1129, were granted by Richard de Granville, a lieutenant of the Norman lord of Glamorgan, to the abbey of Savigny in Normandy a tract of nearly 8,000 acres (3,240 hectares) of ''virgin'' Welsh lands by the ''nova villa'' of Neath. In 1147, when the Savigniac order merged with that of Citeaux, Neath Abbey came under Cistercian rule. Since it was part of the rule that monastic communities must not profit from rents but only from direct exploitation of their estate, each Cistercian community included a large body of lay brothers, who farmed both the lands round the abbey and the granges (Newman 1995). The town and borough of Neath (see HL18) originated in the early 12th century when the Afon Nedd formed the western boundary of Norman penetration into South Wales. Castle and borough town were established on the eastern bank of the river, and the abbey was founded shortly afterwards, on the far side of the river 2km to the west. In the later Middle Ages the town and abbey were in competition for river trade, and in 1491 the Town Hall was reported to be in ruins. The key to Neath''s subsequent development as an industrial centre was the availability of coal exceptionally close to the coast. Sir Humphrey Mackworth of the Gnoll, whose mansion dominated the little town from its hilltop, pioneered both copper and lead working from the 1690''s, with the celebrated Neath Abbey Iron works began operation soon after (Newman 1995). The Neath Abbey Ironworks benefited from Cornish expertise in specialized casting and engineering, which was transferred to this site by two Quaker families, the Foxes of Falmouth, who took over the site in 1792, and Joseph Tregelles Price (who had worked with James Watt at the great Canon Ironworks at Falkirk) from 1817. The ironworks at Neath Abbey was conveniently located alongside the waterpower resources of the River Clydach a short distance from its confluence with the navigable River Neath. Under Joseph Tregelles Price (1786-1854) the works gained a reputation for high-quality engineering products. The engine manufactory produced locomotives, stationary engines, cast iron roofs and floors, steamships and gasworks. After Price''s death stagnation set in, and the works finally closed in 1885. The Vale of Neath Canal, 1794-5, and subsequent railways, opened up the hinterland of Neath. But the town remained of very modest size, clustered around St Thomas''s church, held back from the riverbank by a strip of noxious industry. In 1801 there were 2,500 inhabitants, and half a century later the population had little more than doubled (Newman 1995). The historic centre of Port Talbot is at Aberavon where the Afan River exits from the mountains. The name Port Talbot was at first attached to the area further southwest, where tinplate works were established. The flat expanse of ''moor'' more than a 2km deep and extending for over 4.8km from Margam to the estuary of the River Neath, provided an ideal site for industry. The modern docks were constructed in 1898, and steelworks established by 1907. The Margam Works began production in 1916. Since the Second World War Port Talbot has been, with Llanwern (Gwent), one of the two major sites for a rationalized steel industry in Wales (Newman 1995). Gwalia Tinplate Works were erected in 1892 to use steel produced by the Briton Ferry Ironworks. Acquired by the Briton Ferry Steel Co. and closed in 1953. The building has been truncated, and only five of the stone-built bays survive. The chimneystacks have been dismantled and the building re-roofed, but brick flues in the walls mark the original hearths. A brick-built extension to the west carries a plaque dated 1898-9. On an adjacent site to the north was the Villiers Tinplate Works (1888), of which some modem brick-built buildings remain. An ironworks was established on the eastern bank of the River Neath, at Briton Ferry, in the 1840''s. It was reconstructed in the 1890''s, still as an iron-smelter, and closed in 1958. The site has been completely cleared with the exception of the blast-engine house of 1910, which housed a Richardson-Westgarth quarter-crank blowing engine. The canal depot at Neath is the most complete survivor of its kind in the South Wales valley canals. The Pennant sandstone rubble buildings stand on either side of the Neath Canal (1791-6) at Lock number 1. They consist of the canal manager''s house and stables on the east side, and on the west side a long timber storage shed with a sawpit inside, and an open shed with block and tackle hoisting gear where lock gates were made. Attached to this are a store and a smithy (Newman 1995). Aberdulais Aqueduct and Basin was constructed in 1823 by the engineer William Kirkhouse to complete the Tennant Canal. The aqueduct is 104m long, carried on ten masonry arches, and continued via a cast iron trough over an earlier navigable cut. In the basin, remains of sunken boats and at the north end a buried dry dock by a slipway. At the junction of the Tennant and Neath Canals is a roving bridge, Pont Gam ''crooked bridge;'' with its flanking walls carried on a corbelled series of masonry courses. The only Lock on the canal''s main line is south of the aqueduct, with the Office and Lock-Keepers House (Newman 1995). The waterfall at the Aberdulais Falls Tinplate Works probably powered the first copper-works in Southwest Wales, but the reconstructed water wheel sits in the wheelpit of a later tinplate works, founded in 1830. The site includes an impressive masonry header tank (the ''bastion''), the foundations of the adjoining rolling mills, various walls and an 18m high chimney. The early copper-works may have lain south of the river, where a leat leads from the waterfall towards the rear of the 17th century Dulais Rock Public House (Newman 1995). Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway terminates at the Neath Canal in Aberdulais and is the last of the large horse-worked railways to be built in South Wales, 12km long and completed on a monumental scale by the notable South Wales engineer William Kirkhouse 1839-42 (Newman 1995). This aspect area contains a wealth of historical and archaeological monuments, of which a sample of the more notable has been described above. This aspect area represents a historically important and significant landscape recording 2000 years of occupation and settlement in this part of South Wales.

Q5 - If working at level 3, the classification describes the dominant historic pattern, but which other patterns are important to the historical pattern of this area? (Tick all that apply)

Water & Wetland
Nucleated Settlement
Non-nucleated Settlement
Extractive
Processing/Manufacturing
Communications
Military
Recreational
Horticulture

Q6 - If working at level 4 ,which other 'details' are also significant to the historic character of this area? (Please tick all that apply)

No Answer

Q7 - If working at level 4 only, which building types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

No Answer

Q8 - If working at level 4 only, which periods prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

No Answer

Q9 - If working at level 4 only, which architectural types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

No Answer

Q10 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional walling materials prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

No Answer

Q11 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional roofing materials prevail in the area? (select up to three)

No Answer

Q12 - Which traditional boundary types prevail in the area?

Hedgerow With Trees
Mortared Wall
Wooden Fence
Iron Railings

Q13 - What is the nature of any archaeological interest in the area?

Buried-dry
Buried-Waterlogged
Relict-Earthworks
Buildings & Structures
Documentary
Circumstantial
Industrial Archaeology

Q14 - Which chronological period is visually dominant in the area?

Roman
Medieval (to 1536)
Post Medieval (1536+)
Industrial
Recent

Q15 - Is this a Historic Landscape Character Area (HLCA)? If yes, provide detail

Q16 - HLCA description url

Empty value

Q17 - Are there Scheduled Monuments here?

Q18 - Are there Listed Buildings here?

Number of Listed Buildings in this area: 116

Q19 - Are there Registered Historic Parks and Gardens here?

Checked January 2025, no change.5 overlap(s)

Q20 - Are there Conservation Areas here?

Checked January 2025, no change.1 overlap(s)

Q20a - Are there Historic Battlefields here?

No Answer

Q21 - Are there World Heritage Sites here?

Q22 - Is this within a Registered Historic Landscape (RHL)?

Q22a - Registered Historic Landscape description

No Answer

Condition

Q23 - Unused

No Answer

Q24 - Condition:

Unassessed

Q25 - Trend:

Constant

Recommendations

Q26 - Existing management

Unassessed

Q27 - Management recommendations

Empty value

Q28 - Sector Adaptation Plan

Historic Environment and Climate Change in Wales Sector Adaptation Plan. https://cadw.gov.wales/sites/default/files/2020-02/Adaptation%20Plan%20-%20FINAL%20WEB%20-%20English%20%281%29.pdf Assessment of likely impacts of climate change on historic assets and significance p8-11. Buildings and Settlements p23 Marginal and upland p26 Marine and coastal p28 Rivers, canals and freshwater p30 Farmland p33 Woodland p36 Industrial landscapes p38 Designed landscapes, parks and gardens p40 Historic landscapes p42

Q29 - Unused

No Answer

Aspect Area Boundary

Q30 - To what level was this information site-surveyed?

Level 3

Q31 - At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise?

Q32 - What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary mapping?

OS Landline

Q33 - If OS Data was used, what was the scale?

1:10,000 and 1:25,000

Q34 - What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries?

The area consists of the Neath Port Talbot urban Corridor from Margam in the south, northward to Neath. Along the way this entirely urban and industrial aspect area includes Tailbach, Aberavon, Baglan and Briton Ferry. From Neath the aspect area diverges west toward Skewen, including the comprehensive Roman and Medieval remains of Nidum and Neath Abbey, and to the north and east including Bryncoch, Cilfrew, Tonna and Aberdulais. Although the aspect area is characterised as historically ''''urban and industrial'''' it also includes fine examples of much older monuments. Roman Nidum and Neath Abbey are extremely important monuments; the latter is the most extensive abbey remains in Wales.

Evaluation

Q35 - Evaluation Criteria: Integrity

Outstanding

The character of this area as an urban settlement and communications corridor is well established and visually coherent. Significant components within this landscape include the site of the Roman fort of Nidum, the extensive and well-preserved remains of Neath Abbey and important industrial sites, such as the Neath Abbey Ironworks and the Aberdulais Tin Plate Works.

Q36 - Evaluation Criteria: Survival

Outstanding

This area represents a long-established urban settlement and communications corridor of considerable historic importance. The earliest evidence of settlement consists of the Roman auxiliary fort of Nidum (GGAT PRN 00620w) and its associated civilian settlement; following excavations in the mid 1980s, partial remains of the fort have been exposed and preserved in a modern housing estate and are also visible in the adjacent playing fields. Medieval religious settlement is well attested by the substantial remains of the Cistercian Abbey of Neath (GGAT PRN 00585w), the largest and best-preserved medieval monastic site in Glamorgan, including extensive remains of the abbey church and various conventual buildings, parts of which were converted and enlarged to serve as the residence of Sir Richard Williams after the Dissolution (Newman, 1995). Although many of the industrial sites shown in this area on the OS 1st-3rd edition maps are now occupied by mid-late 20th century housing estates and manufacturing facilities, significant evidence of post-medieval industrial activity still survives, including two exceptionally well preserved, historically important sites: the late 18th century Neath Abbey Ironworks (GGAT PRN 00854w) and the early 19th century Aberdulais Falls Tinplate Works (GGAT PRN 01085w). A well-preserved, waterfilled section of the Neath Canal also partially extends through the aspect area.

Q37 - Evaluation Criteria: Condition

High

Q38 - Evaluation Criteria: Rarity

Outstanding

The Roman fort at Nidum represents one of only two Roman auxiliary forts within the NPT historic landscape, the other being located at Coelbren. The substantial remains of Neath Abbey represent the largest and best-preserved medieval monastic site in Glamorgan and one of the finest surviving medieval religious houses in Wales. The surviving remains of the Neath Abbey Ironworks and the Aberdulais Tin Plate Works are among the best-preserved industrial sites of their date in South Wales.

Q39 - Evaluation Criteria: Potential

Outstanding

This area has not been covered by a detailed historic landscape characterisation. There is enormous potential for further investigation of this extremely important multi-period landscape. Although the Roman auxiliary fort of Nidum was excavated in the 1950s and again in the mid to late 1980s (Nash-Williams, 1950; Marvell & Heywood, 1992, 171-298), there is potential for further investigation of the civilian settlement situated to the N and W of the fort, including the site of a possible mansio and industrial complex to the W of the fort and a series of timber buildings to the SE. The substantial, historically important remains of Neath Abbey were extensively excavated in the 1920-30s by G. Taylor (Neath Antiquarian Society); however, there is significant potential for assessment of the considerable post-excavation archive, hopefully leading to final publication of the results of this major excavation. There is potential for further improvement of on-site visitor information (e.g. audio guides, interactive displays). There is significant potential for further investigation and conservation of the extensive and historically important remains of the late 18th century Neath Abbey Ironworks, which has significant potential (together with the adjacent Abbey ruins) as an educational and leisure amenity, as demonstrated by the recent work carried out by the National Trust in conserving the substantial remains of the Aberdulais Falls Tinplate Works and providing excellent visitor facilities.

Q40 - Evaluation Criteria: Overall Evaluation

Outstanding

This aspect area has been assessed as being of outstanding value as representing an urban settlement/communications corridor of considerable historic importance, with evidence of occupation dating back to the Roman period, and including monuments of exceptional significance, namely, the Roman auxiliary fort of Nidum, the extensive remains of the Cistercian Abbey of Neath and the well-preserved remains of two nationally important industrial sites: the Neath Abbey Ironworks and the Aberdulais Tinplate Works.

Q41 - Justification of overall evaluation

This aspect area has been assessed as being of outstanding value as representing an urban settlement/communications corridor of considerable historic importance, with evidence of occupation dating back to the Roman period, and including monuments of exceptional significance, namely, the Roman auxiliary fort of Nidum, the extensive remains of the Cistercian Abbey of Neath and the well-preserved remains of two nationally important industrial sites: the Neath Abbey Ironworks and the Aberdulais Tinplate Works.

Information Sources

Q42 - Sources and additional assessments

Barrie, DSM, 1980, A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain. Vol. 12: South Wales. Narin. Belcham, E, 1995, About Aberpergwm: The Home of the Williams Family in the Vale of Neath, Glamorgan. Heritage Ventures: Gynneath. Cadw and ICOMOS, 2000, Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest in Wales: Pt1 Parks and Gardens of Glamorgan. Cardiff. Davies, J, 1994, A History of Wales. Penguin Books, London. Eaton, G, 1987, A History of Neath from Earliest Times. Sketty: Davies George, N, 1970, South Wales British Regional Geology (Third Edition). London: HMSO Hughes, S, 1995, Industrial Structures, in Newman, J, The Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan. University of Wales Press, Penguin Books, London. Hughes, S, and Reynolds, P, 1989, A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of the Swansea Region. RCAHMW, Aberystwyth. Hughes, S, et al, 1992. Collieries of Wales Engineering & Architecture. RCAHMW, Mid Wales Litho Limited, Pontypool. Hughes. S 1990. The Brecon Forest Tramroad The Archaeology of an Early Railway System. RCAHMW, HMSO Cardiff. Jenkins, E, 1974, Neath and District. A Symposium John, A H, and Williams, G, 1980, Glamorgan County History Volume 5 Industrial Glamorgan. Cardiff: University of Wales Press Jones, PN, 1969, Colliery settlement in the South Wales Coalfield, 1850 to 1926. Hull. Knight, J, 1995, ''''Hen Gastell in its contemporary setting.'''' Medieval Archaeology Vol 39 pp36-45. Newman, J, 1995, The Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan. University of Wales Press, Penguin Books, London. Ordnance Survey, 1998, Swansea-Neath and Port Talbot. 1:25000, Explorer OL12. Southampton. Ordnance Survey First Edition 6 Maps 1884/5 Ordnance Survey Second Edition 6 Maps 1900/1 Ordnance Survey Third Edition 6 Maps 1921 Phillips, D R, 1925, The History of the Vale of Neath. (Reprinted) RCAHMW 1976b, An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan. Vol I: Pre-Norman, Part II, The Iron Age and Roman Occupation. Cardiff (HMSO). RCAHMW 1976c, An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan. Vol I: Pre-Norman, Part III, The Early Christian Period. Cardiff (HMSO). RCAHMW 1981, An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan. Vol IV: Domestic Architecture from the Reformation to the Industrial Revolution, Part I, The Greater Houses. Cardiff (HMSO). RCAHMW 1982, An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan. Vol III: Medieval Secular Monuments, Part II, Non-defensive. Cardiff (HMSO). RCAHMW 1988, An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan. Vol IV: Domestic Architecture from the Reformation to the Industrial Revolution, Part II, The Farmhouses and Cottages. Cardiff (HMSO). RCAHMW, 1976a, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan. Vol 1: Pre-Norman, Part I, The Stone and Bronze Ages. Cardiff (HMSO). Savory, H, 1984, Glamorgan County History: Volume II Early Glamorgan, prehistory and early history. Cardiff. Toft, L A, 1987, The study of coastal village abandonment in the Swansea Bay region, 1270-1540, Morgannwg 34, 21. Wilkinson, P F, 1995, ''''Excavations at Hen Gastell, Briton Ferry, West Glamorgan 1991-1992.'''' Medieval Archaeology Vol 39 pp 1-50. Speed Map of Glamorgan 1610 George Yates Map of Glamorgan 1799 O''''Connor Plan of Neath 1720 Saxton Map of Glamorgan 1576-77 Thomas Kitchen Map of Glamorgan 1754. Questions 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), 14/02/25, licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Living Heritage

Q43 - Are there any art/artistic expressions associated with the landscape/area?

No Answer

Q44 - Are there any folklore/ legends associated with the landscape/area?

No Answer

Q45 - Are there any events/traditions associated with the landscape/area?

No Answer

Q46 - Are any famous people associated with the landscape/area?

No Answer

Q47 - Are there any technical / scientific discoveries associated with the landscape/area?

No Answer

Q48 - List of Historic Placenames

https://rcahmw.gov.uk/discover/list-of-historic-place-names/

Survey Details for NPTHL054 - 2026-10-22