Neath 

The town of Neath has a long history with the remains of a Roman fort and medieval castle but latterly it is best known as an industrial centre. Collieries, copper smelting plants, sawmills and oil refineries have all made their mark on the landscape.

The Cefn Coed Colliery Museum tells the story of the pit that was once the world’s deepest coal mine and at the Seven Sisters Sawmill & Museum you will find examples of 18th century wood turning machinery.

Neath Castle was once a stronghold for the Glamorgan lords. You can still see evidence of the original Norman castle in its gatehouse although most of it has been destroyed.

• North of Neath is the Vale of Neath, which runs south from the Brecon Becons and this offers a very different landscape. The narrow valley is a series of steep wooded hills with many impressive waterfalls, like the 80ft Merlin Court fall at Resolven.